THE ESSENTIAL
- As part of the first experiments with therapeutic cannabis in France, patients benefit from it in the form of oil or dried flowers.
- Previous studies have established that medical cannabis can have adverse effects on memory and cognitive functions.
30% of adults suffer from chronic pain in France, according to theNational Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). The High Authority of Health (HAS) defines it through several criteria: its persistence and/or its recurrence, a duration of more than three months, an insufficient response to treatment, as well as a significant and progressive deterioration of the person’s functional and relational capacities in their activities. everyday. To relieve chronic pain, therapeutic cannabis can be a solution.
First experiment in France a year ago
In France, the first experiments with therapeutic cannabis were launched in mars 2021 at the university hospital center (CHU) of Clermont-Ferrand. “It is the role of medicine to fight disease and relieve pain, developed on this subject Olivier Véran, Minister of Solidarity and Health. As a doctor, as a minister, I am proud that France can experiment with the use of cannabis for medical purposes, and thus better support thousands of patients who face serious pathologies.
Addiction to therapeutic cannabis
Therapeutic cannabis is recognized as being able to reduce the symptoms of certain patients: chronic pain but also anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, etc. But, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, for a minority of patients, the use of therapeutic cannabis might also lead to disorders without improving their symptoms. According to the scientists, those who were most at risk were individuals who used therapeutic cannabis to relieve their anxiety or depression.
No scientific proof of the benefits of medical majiruana
“It is often said that medical marijuana can treat pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression, but there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.believes Jodi Gilman, one of the authors. We have learned that there can be negative consequences associated with the use of medical cannabis. People with pain, anxiety, or depression reported no improvement. On the other hand, those who suffered from insomnia had better sleep with therapeutic cannabis.” Note that the researchers defined addiction according to two criteria: the need for more medical cannabis to overcome tolerance and the continuation of use despite the physical or psychological problems caused by this substance.
Five cases where therapeutic cannabis is used in France
In France, the use of therapeutic cannabis has been authorized – within the framework of the experiment – for five cases: neuropathic pain refractory to accessible treatments, certain forms of severe and drug-resistant epilepsy, certain rebellious symptoms in oncology, certain palliative situations and the painful spasticity accompanying certain diseases of the central nervous system.
