
Potential Benefits, Risks, and Side Effects of Medical Cannabis
The medical use of cannabis has elicited much attention due to its broad therapeutic potential along with a set of associated risks and side effects. The most prevalent cannabinoids—THC and CBD—have different risk-benefit profiles that vary among individuals due to genetic, metabolic, and other factors.
Categories and Specific Types of Benefits:
CBD:
- Anti-Inflammatory: Beneficial for conditions like Crohn’s disease and psoriasis (1).
- Anxiety Relief: Proven to be effective for generalized anxiety disorder (2).
- Seizure Control: Especially useful in drug-resistant epilepsy in children (3).
THC:
- Pain Management: Effective for chronic pain relief (4).
- Appetite Stimulant: Beneficial for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (5).
- Anti-Emetic: Helps in controlling nausea and vomiting (6).
Categories and Specific Types of Risks:
Common Risks:
- Memory Impairment: Generally temporary but concerning for adolescents (7).
- Dry Mouth: Common but not serious (8).
- Coordination Issues: Risk of accidents, especially if operating machinery (9).
Rare Risks:
- Psychotic Episodes: Especially in predisposed individuals.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Tachycardia, palpitations.
Comparison Tables:
CBD Benefits:
Benefit | Commonality | Temporary/Permanent | Severity | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anti-Inflammatory | Common | Temporary | Moderate | May reduce symptoms in conditions like Crohn’s and arthritis (1). |
Anxiety Relief | Common | Temporary | Moderate | Demonstrates anxiolytic effects in GAD and PTSD (2). |
Seizure Control | Less Common | Permanent | High | Effective in drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in children (3). |
Neuroprotective | Less Common | Permanent | Moderate | Potential for protecting neurons in conditions like Alzheimer’s (4). |
Anti-Oxidant | Less Common | Temporary | Low | May combat oxidative stress (5). |
THC Benefits:
Benefit | Commonality | Temporary/Permanent | Severity | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pain Management | Very Common | Temporary | Moderate | Useful for chronic pain relief including neuropathic pain (6). |
Appetite Stimulant | Common | Temporary | Low | Beneficial for patients suffering from loss of appetite (7). |
Anti-Emetic | Common | Temporary | Moderate | Controls nausea and vomiting, often related to chemotherapy (8). |
Mood Elevation | Common | Temporary | Low | May boost mood in controlled settings (9). |
Sleep Aid | Less Common | Temporary | Low | May aid in sleep disorders like insomnia (10). |
Common Risks and Side Effects:
Effect | Commonality | Temporary/Permanent | Severity | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Memory Impairment | Common | Temporary | Moderate | Could affect cognitive function (11). |
Dry Mouth | Very Common | Temporary | Low | Increased thirst and dry oral conditions (12). |
Coordination Issues | Common | Temporary | Moderate | Increases the risk of accidents (13). |
Increased Heart Rate | Common | Temporary | Moderate | May increase tachycardia (14). |
Red Eyes | Common | Temporary | Low | Common but generally harmless (15). |
Rare Risks and Side Effects:
Effect | Commonality | Temporary/Permanent | Severity | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Psychotic Episodes | Rare | Temporary | High | High doses may trigger in predisposed individuals (16). |
Cardiovascular Issues | Rare | Temporary | High | May increase heart rate excessively, concern for heart patients (17). |
Dependency | Rare | Permanent | Moderate | In heavy, prolonged use (18). |
Liver Toxicity | Rare | Permanent | High | In extremely high doses (19). |
Allergic Reaction | Rare | Temporary | Moderate | Some people may be allergic to cannabis compounds (20). |
References:
- Kafil, T. S., et al. “CBD in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Brief Overview.” Phytotherapy Research (2018): 1770-1773.
- Blessing, E. M., et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” Neurotherapeutics (2015): 825-836.
- Devinsky, O., et al. “Cannabidiol in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy.” The Lancet Neurology (2016): 270-278.
- Lynch, M. E., et al. “Cannabinoids for Treatment of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain.” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2011): 735-744.
- Walsh, D., et al. “Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes.” CMAJ (2010): E72.
- Parker, L. A., et al. “Cannabis and Nausea.” Psychopharmacology (2011): 571-579.
- Schweinsburg, A. D., et al. “Effects of Alcohol and Cannabis on Adolescent Brain Development.” Neuropsychology (2011): 609.
- Abrams, D. I., et al. “Cannabinoid-Opioid Interaction in Chronic Pain.” Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2011): 844-851.
- Ramaekers, J. G., et al. “Cannabis and Tolerance.” Neuropsychopharmacology (2011): 229.
- Kafil, T. S., et al. Phytotherapy Research, 2018.
- Blessing, E. M., et al. Neurotherapeutics, 2015.
- Devinsky, O., et al. The Lancet Neurology, 2016.
- Hampson, A. J., et al. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2000.
- Burstein, S. Anti-inflammatory potential of CB1-mediated cAMP elevation in mast cells. Biochem Pharmacol, 2018.
- Lynch, M. E., et al. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2011.
- Walsh, D., et al. CMAJ, 2010.
- Parker, L. A., et al. Psychopharmacology, 2011.
- Sarris, J., et al. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2012.
- Babson, K. A., et al. Substance Abuse, 2017.
- Schweinsburg, A. D., et al. Neuropsychology, 2011.
- Abrams, D. I., et al. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2011.
- Ramaekers, J. G., et al. Neuropsychopharmacology, 2011.
- Gorelick, D. A., et al. J Clin Pharmacol, 2006.
- Tashkin, D. P., et al. Archives of Ophthalmology, 1984.
- Di Forti, M., et al. Lancet Psychiatry, 2019.
- Thomas, G., et al. J Clin Pharmacol, 2014.
- Budney, A. J., et al. Psychopharmacology, 2004.
- Ewing, L. E., et al. Molecules, 2019.
- Larramendi, C. H., et al. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol, 2008.
Cautionary Note:
Individuals with the following medical illnesses and diagnoses should exercise caution when considering cannabinoid therapies and contact Dr. Caplan at CED Clinic for expert guidance:
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Psychiatric Disorders like Schizophrenia
- Liver Disease
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