Innovative Study Shows Medical Cannabis and Hemp Users Report Significantly Better Health Outcomes

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Realm of Caring is excited to announce the publication of the first peer-reviewed research manuscript from the Observational Research Registry (ORR) initiative in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. The ORR is an ongoing longitudinal research project conducted under the guidance of principal investigator Ryan Vandrey, PhD, an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

In a study of 1276 patients, Cannabis Users (n=808) self-reported better health, quality of life, pain, sleep, anxiety, depression, and reduced healthcare utilization compared with Controls, or non-cannabis users (n=468). Controls who initiated medicinal cannabis use during the study period reported significantly better health and quality of life after initiation of medicinal cannabis use. The majority of Cannabis Users reported using products in which cannabidiol (CBD) was the primary chemical component. These outcomes provide the foundation for future collaborative studies to better evaluate the health impact of medicinal cannabis use, including additional research on using specific products to treat targeted health conditions.

"This study shows clearly that cannabinoids have a very positive effect on health outcomes across the board among all age groups and demographics. This publication will be the first of many based on the detailed findings of this extensive dataset," says Realm of Caring CEO, Jonathan Hoggard, PhD.

Key findings: 

• Cannabinoid users reported significantly better quality of life, better satisfaction with health, better sleep, less pain, less anxiety, and less depression as compared with non-using controls.
  
  
• Cannabinoid users reported using fewer prescription medications and were less likely to have a past month emergency department visit or hospital admission.
  
  
• Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of defined cannabinoid products for specific health conditions are warranted.

"Though prior observational studies have reported health benefits among medicinal cannabis users, this study extends that work considerably by including a control group for comparison as well as evaluation of changes over time in the same individuals as they initiated or stopped cannabinoid use. Perhaps the most dramatic finding in this study was that medicinal cannabis use was associated with 39% fewer ER visits and 46% fewer hospital admissions," says Dr. Hoggard.

The article has been accepted by the Journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, the premier journal dedicated to the scientific, medical, and psychosocial exploration of clinical cannabis, cannabinoids, and the biochemical mechanisms of endocannabinoids. Read the full article. 

For more information about the ORR and other Realm of Caring research initiatives, click here. 

Realm of Caring Foundation (RoC), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established by parents in 2013 to support families who were out of medical options. By creating educational resources, conducting research, and assisting families with data-rich answers to their questions, RoC continues to be a leader in the cannabinoid field. RoC's no-cost Care Team has served more than 65,000 clients worldwide and supports a network of over 2,000 medical professionals. To learn more about participating or to donate to this cause, visit www.realmofcaring.org or call 1-888-210-3772.

SOURCE Realm of Caring

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