Researchers are continuing to look into the effects of cannabis on different ailments. One of the most common uses that people use it for is to treat pain from a number of different sources. These include musculoskeletal pain and myofascial pain. Researchers have also looked into how it could affect the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, nicotine withdrawal, and oral ulcers. A recent report looked into the effects of cannabinoid medicine on Epidermolysis bullosa, a genetic condition that causes blistering skin.

Study

The study looked into how cannabinoid-based medicines could affect those afflicted with Epidermolysis bullosa. Specifically, they looked at symptoms, like pain and itching, as well as other aspects, like the disease process (blistering, wounds, and inflammation), well-being (sleep and appetite), and concomitant medications.

For the study, the researchers gave english-speaking patients or caregivers an online international, anonymous, cross-sectional survey. This survey focused around cannabinoid-based medicines. The respondents reported the types of medications they took, the subsequent effects, the changes in medication use, and the side effects.

Results

71 patients from five different continents reported either currently using or having used the medications in the past. The researchers found that most respondents used more than one medication preparation and route of administration. Skin application and ingestion were the most common routes of administration. The respondents also reported that pain and itching decreased after cannabinoid-based medication use. In fact, most of the respondents reported that using the medications improved their overall symptoms.

Additionally, 79 percent of the participants reported using less pain medications while they were on the cannabinoid-based medicines.

Discussion

The fact that patients can use these medications to treat a genetic ailment could show that they can use it for others. Also, this study showed the participants used pain medications less often while they were on cannabis. This is in line with previous studies that explained that cannabis could be used to replace pain medication and further proves the results of that study as well. 

Hopefully, as researchers continue to examine the benefits of cannabis, they will be able to definitively prove them, so it can be used as an actual treatment.

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