Quality of Life, Mental Health, Personality and Patterns of Use in Self‐Medicated Cannabis Users with Chronic Diseases: A 12‐Month Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The number of patients using cannabis for therapeutic purposes is growing worldwide. While research regarding the treatment of certain diseases/disorders with cannabis and cannabinoids is also expanding, only a few longitudinal studies have assessed the mid‐term impacts of medical cannabis use on psychological variables and quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to assess the psychological safety and QoL of patients with chronic diseases who self‐medicate with cannabis over time. We recruited patients with various chronic diseases who use cannabis and collected data regarding patterns of cannabis use as well as mental health, personality and QoL. Participants were followed‐up at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 months. Hair analysis was conducted to confirm the presence of cannabinoids. Personality assessment showed a consistent decrease in self‐transcendence and self‐directedness scores. Neither cognitive nor psychopathological deterioration was found. There were also no variations in QoL. Mid‐term use of medical cannabis seems to show adequate tolerability regarding cognitive and psychopathological abilities, and it may help patients with chronic diseases to maintain an acceptable QoL.

An Observational, Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Medical Cannabis Patients over the Course of 12 Months of Treatment: Preliminary Results

“…A recent 12-month longitudinal study utilized a single self-report measure of cognition, the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, to examine individuals using cannabis to self-medicate for chronic medical conditions; although no improvements were 654 K.A. Sagar et al reported over time, no evidence of cognitive deterioration was reported over 12 months (Bouso et al, 2020). However, in contrast to the current investigation, study participants were not cannabis-naïve at baseline, which likely impacted baseline performance.…”

“…However, in contrast to the current investigation, study participants were not cannabis-naïve at baseline, which likely impacted baseline performance. As data from the current study suggest that improvement often occurs within 3 months of initiating treatment, cognitive improvements occurring in the early stages of MC initiation may not have been detected in the Bouso et al (2020) sample, given no cannabis-naïve baseline assessment. Importantly, improvements in cognitive performance in the current study appear to occur in the context of significant improvements on measures of mood, anxiety, and sleep.…”

Cross-Sectional Associations Between Lifetime Use of Psychedelic Drugs and Psychometric Measures During the COVID-19 Confinement: A Transcultural Study

“…However, other studies have suggested that some compounds of cannabis might be beneficial for the treatment of some COVID-19 symptoms (82)(83)(84)(85)(86). Moreover, other studies reported that cannabis use had positive effects in terms of helping individuals to cope with stressful situations, effects that could partially explain its benefits with regards to chronic disorders (87). These factors should also be considered in the conducting of a risk-benefit assessment.…”

Authorization Patterns, Safety, and Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis in Quebec

“…Although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) continue to be the gold standard in demonstrating treatment efficacy, results of RCTs are often difficult to generalize to a broad range of patients, providers, and health care settings, 10 which makes RWE an important, complementary option for the study of medical cannabis. Indeed, several observational studies of medical cannabis suggest its safety and effectiveness across multiple therapeutic areas; [11][12][13][14] however, few have examined the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis as a function of its cannabinoid content. 15,16 Here, we describe physician authorization patterns of medical cannabis products from one Canadian licensed cannabis producer, and we observe its safety and self-reported effectiveness as a function of product profile using patients' data from a network of medical cannabis clinics.…”