Clinical Research Insider Summit No. 11

How much do you know about the therapeutic use of cannabis?

Dr. Mafer Arboleda seeks to inform and demystify cannabis so that its benefits can be used by those who need them in a responsible and safe way. In our special edition, Dr. Arboleda shares with us a series of essential facts for the correct use of medical cannabis.

Who cannot use cannabis for medical purposes?

Today we know that this is not for everyone and that cannabis has indications but also contraindications; some patients should not be consuming cannabis for any reason. For example, a person who had an arrhythmia, i.e., the heart beats irregularly, if given THC, I promise you that this patient ends up in an emergency room. The same thing happens with a person suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or uncontrolled psychotic episodes when receiving THC.

Whenever we talk about a responsible and safe prescription of cannabis-based medicines there must be a trinomial: 1) we need a patient who is a candidate for this therapy with a complete clinical history; 2) a physician properly trained in prescribing cannabinoid-based medicines; currently there are courses and workshops offered from different universities around the world. And 3) we need a product that complies with quality standards and sanitary support, which is the biggest problem we have today in most countries.

¿Who is vulnerable to the development of psychotic episodes due to cannabis use?

Psychotic episodes are part of intoxication and problematic cannabis use. Research shows that cannabis may be linked to mental health problems, especially disorders involving psychosis. Cannabis use in adolescents and young adults increases the risk of developing psychotic episodes, anxiety, or suicidal ideation. These effects account for 25-30% of emergency department visits related to cannabis use, and up to 50% of patients with psychotic episodes associated with cannabis use may develop schizophrenia.

In summary:

1. Those who started using them at an early age during adolescence.

2. Those with a genetic predisposition to psychosis.

3. Those who have had childhood trauma.

4. Those suffering from other psychiatric disorders.

6 facts every cannabis user should know

1. We all have cannabinoids in our bodies that we produce naturally from our organisms.

2. Cannabis use for adult use can lead to cannabis use disorder or problematic cannabis use, especially when we are talking about excessive use, that is, several times a week or consuming high concentrations of THC.

3. THC use in children under 18 years affects their neurocognitive development and may increase the risk of developing psychological disorders.

4. THC and CBD are useful tools to control the symptoms produced by some diseases such as chronic pain, refractory epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting secondary to chemotherapy, anorexia in HIV and cancer (lack of appetite), Parkinson’s disease, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.

5. THC consumption can produce side effects such as tachycardia, hypotension (lowering of blood pressure levels), anxiety, and headache, and at much higher concentrations of THC, one can experience a feeling of euphoria, paranoia, and even psychotic episodes.

6. Currently, especially in the United States, products containing Delta 8 THC are marketed, which may endanger public health and, in addition, are marketed for therapeutic purposes that have not yet been evaluated or supported by clinical studies. Among its adverse effects, vomiting, hallucinations, difficulty in standing up and even loss of consciousness have been reported.

Dr. Mafer Arboleda

Associate Director of Research at Santé Cannabis, a leading clinic specializing in the prescription of medical cannabis in Quebec, Canada. Anesthesiologist specialized in chronic pain and palliative care by UNAM and INCMNSZ. Medical surgeon from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá. Clinical fellowship and postdoctoral studies in Supportive Care in Cancer and Medical Cannabis at McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

#DrMaferArboleda #MaferCannabisMD

Speaker at International Clinical Research Insider Summit 2024