Marijuana Medicinal Properties Confirmed, Again
Science/UK: Cannabis extracts effective in reducing pain and spasticity
BBSNews - 2003-03-03 -- Medical cannabis received even more confirmation recently. The International Association for Cannabis as Medicine (IACM)
in Germany reported on Sunday that cannabis extracts are efficacious reducing "pain and spasticity" in research entitled
"A preliminary controlled study to determine whether whole-plant cannabis extracts can improve intractable neurogenic symptoms"
[Wade DT, Robson P, House H, Makela P, Aram J. Clin Rehabil 2003;17:18-26] The IACM reported:
A THC rich cannabis extract, a cannabidiol (CBD) rich extract
and a cannabis extract with a CBD/THC ratio of 1:1 were
effective in symptoms of 24 patients, of whom 18 suffered from
multiple sclerosis, four from spinal cord injury, one from brachial
plexus damage and one from limb amputation.
The study was conducted as consecutive series of double-blind,
placebo-controlled single-patient cross-over trials with two-
week treatment protocols at hospitals in Oxford as part of
studies by GW Pharmaceuticals. The trials started with an open
label period where patients received the CBD/THC extract to
get familiar with the procedure and to ensure they could tolerate
the extract.
Three patients withdrew from the study due to side effects
during the open label period and one patient did not complete all
treatment periods. In the 20 patients who completed the study
there was a significant improvement of pain with the CBD
extract compared to placebo assessed with visual analogue
scales, a significant improvement of pain, spasm, spasticity and
appetite with the THC extract, and a significant improvement of
spasm and sleep with the CBD/THC extract. Impaired bladder
control was improved in some patients with this symptom.
Scientists concluded that "cannabis medicinal extracts can
improve neurogenic symptoms unresponsive to standard
treatments. Unwanted side effects are predictable and generally
well tolerated."
IACM-Bulletin archives: http://www.cannabis-med.org/
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Michael Hess is the Editor of BBSNews in Charlotte, NC. Write to the editor here. Not all submissions are published. Or visit the completely new BBSNews Blog and Forum on our front page - Please Participate in BBSNews!
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