Medical Marijuana Patients Report Lasting Quality Of Life Benefits

Medical marijuana patients report sustained improvements in quality of life, according to the results of a recently published study. The study, which was conducted by researchers affiliated with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, investigated the effects of medical marijuana on patients’ physical and emotional well-being.

To conduct the study, the researchers recruited patients who had a doctor’s recommendation to use medical cannabis for various health conditions under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program (PAMMP). The participants answered four surveys over the 90-day study period to report on their experiences with medical cannabis and their physical and emotional well-being.

The results showed that many of the patients experienced improvements in physical and social functioning, energy levels and emotional well-being within the first 30 days of using medical marijuana (MMJ). Patients also reported significant decreases in pain levels, fatigue and emotional limitations. Improvements noted in the first 30 days remained consistent throughout the duration of the study, the researchers determined.

“It is clear that medical marijuana, when administered safely, can improve an individual’s quality of life,” the authors of the study wrote. “Participants reported significant decreases in emotional limitations, fatigue, and pain levels.”

The researchers also found that how often a patient used medical marijuana could affect their overall health and well-being. Those who used medical marijuana only once per day were more likely to have better scores on general health assessments than those who used medicinal cannabis more often.

Additionally, study participants who used medical cannabis to treat opioid use consumed significantly higher quantities of THC, the compound largely responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, than subjects using medical marijuana as a treatment for anxiety, chronic pain or inflammatory bowel disease.

Differences By Type Of Cannabis Products Used Identified

The researchers also found differences in the effects that medical marijuana had on patients based on the type of cannabis used. Patients who used vape cartridges or cannabis concentrates tended to be younger and experienced a significantly higher increase in emotional well-being scores compared to participants who used dried cannabis flower products.

The results of the study showed that alcohol use also impacted the benefits of medical marijuana for study participants. Patients who used both medical cannabis and alcohol reported lower energy levels and emotional well-being, leading researchers to note that “the combination might not be ideal.”

The authors noted in their discussion of the research that the study revealed “valuable insights into the effects of medical marijuana on quality of life and highlighted potential benefits associated with its use.” They added that ongoing research is attempting to assess the benefits of medical marijuana beyond 90 days to determine the potential long-term trends of continued use, noting that further study is needed to understand the underlying mechanism of action.

“The findings suggest that MMJ has the potential to improve physical and social functioning, energy levels, emotional well-being, and overall general health within the first 30–60 days of use,” the authors wrote.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) noted in a report on the study that its findings are consistent with previous research. In an Australian study of 3,100 subjects with medical conditions including cancer, anxiety and chronic pain published last year, researchers found that medical cannabis users found significant and sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life after using cannabis products.