ABSTRACT
Objective: Recent scientific attention has focused on the therapeutic effectiveness of cannabis use on a variety of physical and mental ailments. The present study uses smartphone technology to assess self-reported experiences of Florida cannabis users to understand how cannabis may impact anxiety and depression symptomatology. Method: Several hundred Releaf App™ users from the state of Florida provided anonymous, real-time reports of their symptoms of anxiety and/or depression immediately before and after cannabis use sessions. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to analyze the data at the symptom and user level. Results: Results showed that for the majority of users, cannabis use was associated with a significant decrease in depression and anxiety symptomatology. While symptom type, doses per session, consumption method, and CBD levels were significant predictors of relief change, their effect sizes were small and should be interpreted with caution. At the user level, those who had positive relief outcomes in anxiety reported more doses and sessions, and those in the depression group reported more sessions. Conclusions: Our results generally support the therapeutic effectiveness of cannabis against depression/anxiety symptomatology. Future work should include standardized statistics and effect size estimates for a better understanding of each variable's practical contribution to this area of study.
ABSTRACT
There is a potential link between cannabis and mental disorders. Cannabis exposure involves in many cases negative mental emotions, which are unpleasant sensations or thoughts. Whereas mild cases of negative mental emotions inflict patient's quality of life, more severe cases lead to therapy discontinuations, or even hospitalizations and death. This study characterizes cannabis users who experienced negative mental emotions after cannabis exposure. The Releaf App database was utilized to evaluate the association between personal and cannabis use characteristics on reporting a negative mental emotion during cannabis exposure. This global mobile lets individuals track real-time cannabis experience use with cannabinoid-based products, containing data points such as gender, age, reasons for use, product type, cannabis composition, and feelings and emotions experienced after cannabis use. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed, adjusting for potential confounders such as gender and previous experience with cannabis use. The study population comprised 4,435 users, and 34,279 sessions were collected from various countries, mainly from North America, and included in the primary analysis. Reporting on negative mental emotions was associated with users in the age group of 18-30 years. Using cannabis for a mental purpose was associated with a small increase in reporting on negative mental emotions (OR = 1.10, 95%CI [1.03-1.19]). Oral products were associated with reporting on negative mental emotions. THC-dominant products were associated with reporting negative mental emotions compared to balanced products (OR = 1.21, 95%CI [1.06-1.38]). This study suggests that some characteristics of cannabis use, such as young age and oral consumption are associated with negative mental emotions. Further studies should examine the interface between cannabis consumption, characteristics of consumers, and negative emotional experience or even long-term mental disorders.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Estimated rates of past-month cannabidiol (CBD) use in the general public are 13-26% and emerging research examines CBD as a potential adjunct treatment for several medical conditions, including stress-related disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, and chronic pain). However, little is known about the effects of different CBD products on self-reported stress. The present study compared the effects of two delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free CBD tincture products - (1) an isolate CBD oil and (2) a broad spectrum CBD oil - on self-ratings of effectiveness of the product and ability to manage stress. Methods: This quasi-experimental study reports on a total of 374 participants who completed either a 30- or 60-day regimen. Participants were instructed to use a 1,000 mg CBD isolate product at will, and then switch over to a 1,000 mg broad spectrum product for the remainder of the regimen (i.e., next 15 or 30 days). Self-reported effectiveness of the product and its ability to help manage stress was compared between the isolate and broad spectrum products. We also examined overall impression, quality, taste, and adverse effects of each product. Results: Overall, both products were rated to be highly effective and able to assist with stress management. Participants reported that the broad spectrum product's effectiveness (p < 0.001) and ability to reduce stress (p < 0.001) as greater than the isolate product across both regimens. However, participants preferred the taste of the isolate product over that of the broad spectrum across regimens (p < 0.05). For the 30-day regimen, participants reported a more positive overall impression of the isolate as compared to the broad spectrum (p < 0.001); however, overall impression did not differ between the products in the 60-day regimen. There was no difference in adverse effects or quality between the products, across both regimens. Conclusion: These results fit with prior studies suggesting anti-stress effects of CBD. Ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product, which is consistent with prior data suggesting that cannabinoids can work synergistically to maximize benefits. Nonetheless, more controlled studies are needed to explore these effects in nonclinical and clinical populations.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Current evidence suggests that cannabinoids are safe with minimal side effects and are effective in managing chronic pain. Data also show that medical marijuana (MM) may improve quality of life (QoL) among patients. However, there are little data showing the health-related QoL (HRQoL) benefit in MM patients using it for pain. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between HRQol and MM use in patients using it to relieve pain. METHODS: All pain patients aged 18 years or older enrolled in the Pennsylvania MM program were eligible for inclusion. Recruited subjects completed 4 surveys - at enrollment (baseline) then 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-enrollment. We used the EQ-5D survey tool for measuring HRQoL. The primary outcome measure was the change in the EQ-5D Index Score from survey 2 to survey 4 (6 week difference). Secondary outcomes included self-reported pain and health scores. Data were analyzed using a paired t test and repeated-measures multivariable analysis to control for both gender and length of time between surveys. RESULTS: 1,762 people responded to the screening request, and 1,393 (79%) met screening criteria. Of those, 353 (25.3%) agreed to participate and 51% completed all 4 surveys, for a final sample of 181 with 85 male and 95 female and one nonbinary subject. The average age was 41.21 (SD = 12.9) years, with no difference between genders. The adjusted HRQoL score improved from 0.722 to 0.747 (p = 0.011) from survey 2 to survey 4, as did the self-reported pain and health scores. The EQ-5D subscales revealed no change in mobility or usual activities, significant improvement in anxiety and pain, and a significant worsening in self-care. CONCLUSION: The results show a significant improvement in HRQoL among patients using MM for pain. The EQ-5D subscales validated the pain improvement and also showed an improvement in anxiety. However, the decline in the self-care subscale may have tempered the overall improvement in HRQoL, and further research into which aspects of self-care are impacted by MM use in this population is warranted. Overall, there is a positive relationship between MM use and HRQoL in patients using it for pain.