"Unlocking Nature's Comfort: Dispensary-Sourced Cannabis Edibles Empower Cancer Patients with Pain Relief, Sweet Slumber, and Sharper Minds"
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has made a ground breaking discovery regarding the use of cannabis edibles among cancer patients. Published in the journal Exploration in Medicine, this research reveals that cancer patients who acquire cannabis-infused food products from legal dispensaries experience significant improvements in various aspects of their health.
One of the most promising findings of this study is that patients using cannabis edibles reported notable reductions in pain levels, enhancement in the quality of their sleep, and even a reversal of the notorious 'chemo brain' phenomenon, a common side effect of chemotherapy.
The term 'chemo brain' is commonly used by cancer patients to describe the cognitive challenges they face during their treatment, such as memory lapses, reduced concentration, and difficulty thinking clearly. These symptoms often disrupt daily life activities and can hinder patients from returning to work or accomplishing routine tasks. Importantly, these cognitive issues are not exclusive to chemotherapy recipients and can affect cancer patients undergoing various treatments.
Angela Bryan, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at CU Boulder and a cancer survivor, explained, "When you’re in a lot of pain, it’s hard to think. We found that when patients’ pain levels came down after using cannabis for a while, their cognition got better."
This ground breaking study is among the first to examine how cannabis obtained from legal retail stores affects cancer patients' symptoms and treatment side effects. To conduct the research, the team observed 25 cancer patients over a two-week period as they self-administered cannabis edibles.
At the outset, patients underwent a baseline assessment of their pain levels, sleep patterns, and cognitive abilities. Subsequently, they were instructed to select edible products of their choice from a dispensary. The options were diverse, including chocolates, gummies, tinctures, pills, and baked goods, with varying ratios of THC and CBD and a wide range of potencies.
Angela Bryan pointed out, "This tells us that people are open to trying whatever they think might be useful, but there’s just not much data out there to guide them on what works best for what."
To assess the effects of the edibles, a "mobile laboratory" was dispatched to each patient's home. Patients were evaluated physically and cognitively inside the van both before and after consuming the edibles at home. This process was repeated over two weeks of regular use, with each patient deciding the frequency of consumption. A follow-up examination was conducted after this period.
The results were striking. Within an hour of consumption, cannabis effectively alleviated patients' pain, albeit with some reported impairment in cognition and a "high" feeling, which was more pronounced with higher THC content. After two weeks of consistent use, patients reported not only sustained improvements in pain management and sleep quality but also enhancements in cognitive function. Objective measures of cognitive function, including reaction times, also showed improvement.
Surprisingly, those who consumed more CBD, a known anti-inflammatory compound found in cannabis, reported even greater improvements in sleep quality and pain intensity.
The study's conclusions suggest that longer-term studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to explore the potential benefits and risks of cannabis use for palliative care in cancer patients. Researchers see this as a crucial next step in comprehending the full spectrum of cannabis's potential effects on this patient population.
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