How can medical cannabis help treat patients over 50 years old with a variety of age-related health issues? This is what a recent study published in Cannabis hopes to address as an international team of researchers investigated the benefits of medical cannabis in treating age-related medical issues, including managing additional medications, sleep, pain, and overall life quality. This study has the potential to help researchers, legislators, medical professionals, and the public better understand the treatment benefits of medical cannabis for older individuals regarding age-related health issues.
For the study, the researchers conducted the Medical Cannabis in Older Patients Study (MCOPS) as a six-month observational study on 299 participants aged 50 and over regarding their medical cannabis use and preference for inhaled or oral products. The average age of the participants was 66.7 years and was comprised of 33.8 percent men and 66.2 percent women.
In the end, the researchers found that approximately 90 percent of participants were medical cannabis users for either arthritis or chronic pain with almost 100 percent of patients preferring oral cannabis over inhalants. Regarding additional medications, almost 50 percent reported decreased use before the end of the six-month period while 45 percent reported improved pain interference, sleep, and overall quality of life.
The study noted, “In this cohort of older patients, most of whom suffered from pain-related conditions, medical cannabis seemed to be a safe and effective treatment. Most patients experienced clinically significant improvements in pain, sleep, and quality of life and reductions in co-medication.”
While this study shows promise in treating age-related health issues, the Ottawa Public Health cautioned in 2023 that cannabis might harm older adults due to the natural aging process, heart conditions, and could interfere with medications.
What new connections between medical cannabis and age-related health issues will researchers make in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Cannabis, Marijuana Moment, Ottawa Public Health