Over 32,000 medical cannabis studies over 10 years

Over the last decade, over 32,000 studies on the medical use of hemp cannabinoids have been published, including 4,000 each year in 2021, 2022 and 2023, according to the NORML report. 

We know more and more about hemp and we understand its mechanism of action in various cases better, which in turn makes its use safer. Find out what most of the research on medical marijuana involves.  

Medical cannabis – we know more and more

“Scientists' interest in the study of cannabis has increased in recent years, as has their understanding of the plant, its active ingredients, mechanisms of action and their impact on both users and society as a whole,” said the deputy director of NORML (an American organization promoting knowledge about marijuana and striving for its full legalization), Paul Armentano.

Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in interest in the scientific study of cannabis - since the beginning of 2013, scientists have published over 32,000 articles on the plant. Most research concerns the therapeutic properties of marijuana, followed by work on the real, measurable consequences of legalizing marijuana for society.

As of today, the PubMed.gov scientific database cites over 45,900 scientific articles on marijuana dating back to 1840. As you can easily see, the last decade has been a real boom in research on cannabis - in the years 2013-2023, as many as 70% of scientific articles on it were written. . 

What does marijuana research involve?

As clinical research into the therapeutic value of cannabinoids , understanding of their mechanism of action in various diseases also increases. In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the use of medical marijuana for the temporary relief of various symptoms was mainly explored.

For example, it was about the use of medical marijuana to relieve nausea caused by chemotherapy in oncology patients or pain associated with various injuries and ailments. Currently, greater emphasis is placed on the potential of hemp cannabinoids in modulating diseases, and therefore their more holistic and long-lasting effect on the human body.

Autoimmune diseases and cannabis

A topic that much of the newer research is focusing on is autoimmune diseases. The ability of hemp cannabinoids to modulate the immune system and alleviate inflammation .

Examples of autoimmune diseases that receive attention include: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and Hashimoto's disease. hemp cannabinoids in neurological diseases and disorders, e.g. Alzheimer's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is also being intensively researched

Cannabis and cancer

Researchers are also investigating the anti-cancer effects of hemp cannabinoids. A growing body of preclinical data (from studies conducted in cell cultures, isolated organs and animals) shows that cannabinoids can limit the spread of certain cancer cells through apoptosis (programmed cell death) and by inhibiting angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels).

The analgesic effect of cannabis

Scientists are also exploring the use of cannabis as an alternative to reduce harm. Dozens of studies have been devoted to the possibility of replacing strong painkillers (primarily opioids) with marijuana or the possibility of including marijuana in painkilling therapy in order to reduce the doses of other drugs . This seems to be a particularly important issue, especially given the opioid crisis that is still ongoing in the United States.

Safety is an asset of cannabis therapy

Hemp cannabinoids have a positive safety record compared to conventional prescription drugs. Importantly, marijuana consumption – regardless of quantity or strength – cannot cause a fatal overdose.  

Therapeutic use of marijuana is also rarely associated with serious side effects. A review of clinical trial data conducted over a 40-year period (1968-2008) found no high incidence of serious adverse events associated with the use of medical cannabinoids.

Despite its safe use in most cases, it should not be forgotten that the active ingredients of cannabis can cause a variety of physiological and psychological effects. 

As a result, certain population groups may be at greater risk from the use of cannabis, especially varieties containing psychoactive THC. These include, for example, teenagers, pregnant women, people experiencing psychotic states or at risk of psychotic disorders.   

Patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders , heart disease or stroke may also be at increased risk of side effects from cannabis, especially if they consume it when smoked. As with any prescription drug, deciding whether to use marijuana medically requires consultation with your doctor.

If the research trend continues, medical marijuana will continue to gain popularity in the coming years, and its mechanisms of action will be even better understood and described. This, in turn, will allow you to precisely select the doses and chemical composition of the herb to suit the needs of specific people and reduce the (already minimal) risk of using it.