Medical Marijuana Great for Migraine, Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Survey Finds
One-hundred percent (100%) of people with migraine headache, fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome who use medical marijuana for a minimum of 30 days report a reduction in pain and discomfort, a survey of 621 by the Care By Design found.
People included in the survey suffer from a range of different conditions, and some suffer from multiple conditions, including:
- Psychiatric disorders (24%)
- Anxiety, PTSD, depression, autism, addiction
- Inflammatory conditions (19%)
- Arthritis, rheumatism, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome
- Pain (14%)
- Neuropathic pain, headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia
- Central nervous system disorders (12%)
- Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Cancer-related symptoms (12%)
Cannabis and Well-Being
“A majority of patients (88.2%) reported that cannabis therapy improved their overall sense of wellbeing,” the study found. “Patients with fibromyalgia, headaches and migraines, PTSD and anxiety reported the greatest improvement in general wellbeing (as compared to other patient groups).”
Cannabis and Pain
Image courtesy of Care By Design
“A majority of all patients (72.6%) reported a decrease in pain or discomfort. All patients (100%) with headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and spinal cord injury reported a decrease in pain or discomfort. Less than 1% of patients reported an increase in pain or discomfort after CBD-rich cannabis therapy. (All patients reporting an increase in pain reported using CBD for ALS.)”
Cannabis and Mood
“A majority of all patients (64.2%) reported an improvement in mood. All patients (100%) with PTSD and spinal cord injuries reported an improvement in mood. Some patients with sleep problems (8%) and cancer (3%) reported a worsening of mood. While a majority of patients taking CBD-rich cannabis for “general wellbeing” rather than for a specific medical condition reported improved mood (66.7%), this group was also the most likely to report a worsening of mood (16.7%).”
Cannabis and Energy Levels
Half of all patients (50.4%) reported no change in energy level. The patients most likely to report increased energy levels were those with inflammation (64.0%), fibromyalgia (57.1%), and PTSD (55.6%). Patients with headaches or migraines were the most likely to report reduced energy levels (37.5%).
The survey was conducted by Care by Design, which sells CBD cannabis sprays, oils and vape cartridges, so the survey has some weaknesses. A high percentage of survey participants (42%) reported that they did not know the ratio of CBD-to-THC they were taking.
“This report represents preliminary data based on less than one thousand patients. It is not meant to provide patients with guidance on dosing or medical treatment. Rather, it is meant to suggest possible areas for additional research.”
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Gaspar is right. Scientific rigor matters. Or at least it should.
I’ve been to a pain advocate conference where rx cannabis was “shared”. That’s irresponsible. No matter their zeal, pro-cannabis advocates don’t have a right to engage in drug diversion to further their cause. A fair number in attendance thought it harmless, claimed the “munchies”, and otherwise treated it like candy. Some of them were on other medications and didn’t even think about drug interactions. It was simply scoffed at. That’s just non-adolescent peer pressure!
These articles tout marijuana as the next wonder drug, leading some people to self medicate with street forms. Take a look at drug user forums like blue light and see the stories of young kids whose marijuana trial led to long term health crises. The level of thc, whether the “herb” contains other “herbs” or compounds matters, and individual metabolism etc is very important.
If some in the pain community want to lobby for cannabis-based pain medication, fine. But let’s not act like research protocol isn’t important, that side effects and drug interactions don’t matter. This isn’t high school. “Try it; I like it; you will too” doesn’t cut it.
being a sufferer of migraines and ibs, i agree that medical marijuana has helped me significantly with the pain from these conditions.
Well, I’ll love to believe this is true with scientific certainty, but this is not a study but rather a survey. So, no technique, no double blind, no controls, nothing, just an oral testimony.
I can see a herd of sites like Naturalnews, Foxnew and the Daily Mail using this page as a reference and then claim that Pot is scientifically safe.
Please, do not promote the internet ignorance. At least put a disclaimer at the very top if at least you care a bit about the scientific rigor.
Many top medical studies from universities show the same results.
Sorry Maureen, hate to disagree with you but medical marijuana is not limited to the US and Canada. It has been studied for years in Israel and being used there. Also, Anatoliy, how can Big Pharmacy say a drug helps and get it approved through the FDA, when all it does is increase their bottom line? That has credibility, but this study of 1,000 people does not? The major reason marijuana is not being budged from schedule I is because it is an herb, therefore Big Pharmacy can’t patent it. You’ll see. As soon as they can make a patentable concoction, which they already are starting to do, it becomes available! Just look at Florida. Only one strain is legal, and it was patented. Funny how that works. The more money they can make, the more patents will be granted. Then, you can have your “unbiased” studies. Look at Vioxx for an unbiased study!!
I believe its a decent study but needs to be researched more. I believe marijuana has many remedies but research needs to continue.
but other countries are not as stupid………i.e. Canada to name one. Other countries are doing studies and the results show the benefits of medical mairjuana for certain diseases.
“The survey was conducted by Care by Design, which sells CBD cannabis sprays, oils and vape cartridges, so the survey has some weaknesses.”
The study may offer some benefit to those who currently use marijuana, but the overall survey is just that and seriously lacks objectivity.
This is a survey, I applaud that. But promoting marijuana as being “scientifically” studied is negligent. It is a Schedule 1 drug, thus it has never been studied. Universities that could study the drug have not due to the risk of loosing their funding because it is an illegal drug.
Petitioning for marijuana to be a Schedule II drug is the way to go. Otherwise there is no approved scientific evidence that pass thru any committee, organization, office, accreditation, or any other thing needed to prove patient safety and efficacy.