Landmark Study Proves CBD Has No Impact on Driving

A landmark study published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that CBD does not impair driving, while moderate amounts of THC (the main intoxicating component) produce mild driving impairment lasting up to four hours.

This is the first study to illustrate the lack of CBD effects on driving and to also provide a clear indication of the duration of THC impairment.

Why this is so important: “With cannabis laws changing globally, jurisdictions are grappling with the issue of cannabis-impaired driving. These results provide much needed insights into the magnitude and duration of impairment caused by different types of cannabis and can help to guide road-safety policy not just in Australia but around the world. These results should allow for evidence-based laws and regulation for people receiving medical cannabis,” said Dr. Thomas Arkell, lead author on the study.

The study was led by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney (Australia). Summary is available here and the full study is available in the current issue of JAMA here.

Real World MediCannabis Virtual Summit

Healthcare Colleagues,

I’ll be presenting at the Real World MediCannabis Virtual Summit, which begins tomorrow evening, December 3rd. I’ll be sharing practical considerations for the use of cannabinoid medicine in long-term care and touch on how this class of medication can be of particular benefit in addressing some of the unique challenges associated with the pandemic (i.e. increased anxiety, sleeplessness, behaviours associated with dementia, etc.)

I’ll also share some data about how cannabinoids can be used to reduce opioids, antipsychotics, antidepressants, sleep aids and overall polypharmacy.

To register, visit http://www.realworld.events/.

If you are unable to attend during the set times, once you register, you should be able to access the presentations on-demand at your convenience.

Medical Cannabis Week - Discussing Education w/ Jay Rosenthal

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to share my observations about training and educating fellow physicians in cannabinoid-based medicine.

As part of Medical Cannabis Week, we talked about the changes I’ve seen in physicians’ acceptance and readiness to learn about medical cannabis, how more practitioners are prescribing proactively vs. only after being asked by a patient, and the ongoing barriers to integrating cannabinoids into daily practice.

We also discussed the similarities and differences that practitioners face around the world, and how our team works with international medical colleagues to share learnings and best practice.

Huge thanks to Jay Rosenthal for the opportunity. I hope you’ll all check it out!

Opioids and Cancer - Friend or Foe?

The effect of opioids on cancer progression, metastases, and recurrence is increasingly being questioned by researchers and clinicians, and serves as an important reminder of the urgent need for more research into safe and effective non-opioid alternatives.

In a review published in the journal, Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, investigators examined the evidence for the action of opioids on the processes involved in cancer progression. In other words - they’re trying to figure out if taking opioids to treat cancer pain could actually cause the disease to progress faster.

The analysis showed there is sufficient in vitro and animal model work to make a plausible case for a detrimental effect of opioids on cancer progression and advised: “In the light of the uncertainty of opioid effect on cancer, any decision making should be tempered by knowing that stress and pain undoubtedly contribute to cancer progression.”

Given the high rates of pain prevalence amongst cancer patients, the importance of identifying non-opioid alternatives cannot be overstated. While more research is undoubtedly needed, the role of cannabinoids in treating cancer-related pain is promising and urgently warrants further investigation.

Cannabinoids are already a well-known and evidence-based treatment option for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. While treating this symptom, I’ve seen several patients also experience reductions in their cancer-related pain and anxiety, which has allowed us to reduce their opioid and anti-anxiety medications in some cases. In many cases, cannabinoid therapy has also helped reduce or eliminate other intolerable side-effects caused by these powerful medications, including constipation, insomnia and lack of appetite.

Full article available here.

#CannabisISMedicine #MedicalCannabis #CancerTreatment #AlternativeMedicine #MindfulMedicating #CBD #CannabinoidMedicine #BreastCancerTreatment #Chemotherapy

Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Elderly Americans

I wanted to share a quick update with you on some research I’m doing, investigating medical cannabis use & effectiveness in older adults.

Its excellent safety profile and multimodality make medical cannabis particularly appropriate and beneficial in the senior population -- especially as polypharmacy is the number one cause of hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions amongst this group.

Have a watch of this short video for more info.

For the full article referenced click here.

New Warnings About Benzodiazepine Use and Dementia Risk

There have been several studies that have indicated that have linked benzodiazepine use to an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

This is one out of Finland is one of the largest.

Lead author Vesa Tapiainen, MD, PhD, said: “These drugs are often used to treat sleep problems, but their efficacy for this indication diminishes over time, whereas the risks for adverse events remain.”

In addition to insomnia, benzodiazepines and other so-called "Z" drugs, such as zolpidem (multiple brands) and zopiclone (Lunesta, Sunovion), are used to treat other neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, such as anxiety.

Commenting on the study’s findings, David S. Knopman, MD (Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer's Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Council), noted that many studies have suggested that patients who are exposed to certain psychoactive drugs, such as those with cholinomimetic properties, are at increased risk for dementia.

"I therefore find it plausible that benzodiazepines and related drugs could carry the same risks," he said.

The "bottom line" for Knopman is that use of certain psychoactive drugs seems to increase the risk for dementia. However, it is unclear whether the drugs are temporarily worsening cognition or symptoms are being treated with these drugs, said Knopman.

"In other words, the direction of causality from drugs to dementia could go in either direction, and this study that used administrative data can't determine the direction of causality," he said.

Nevertheless, a take-home message is that benzodiazepines and related sleep medications should be avoided "if at all possible" in older individuals, said Knopman.

Similar to benzodiazepines and “Z” drugs, cannabinoid-based medicines have anxiolytic, anticonvulsive and relaxing effects. When dosed low and slow by an experienced healthcare practitioner, cannabinoids can be equally or more effective than these medications in managing symptoms, but with a far superior side-effect profile.

Read the full study here.

September marks World Alzheimer's Month

September marks World Alzheimer’s Month and this year, the Alzheimer’s community is facing more significant challenges than ever.

Nearly 750,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Due to the significant and prolonged changes brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, many patients are experiencing increases in symptoms including increased agitation, depression, insomnia and aggressive, and sometimes violent, behaviours.

Current pharmaceutical therapies, including antipsychotic medications, may provide some reduction in behavioural symptoms but carry an increased risk of severe side-effects including stroke and death. As a result, many families are proactively asking for safer alternatives.

There is a growing body of evidence for the use of cannabinoid-based medicines in the treatment of dementia-related symptoms and clinically, we’ve been seeing some outstanding outcomes since beginning therapy. I hope you’ll have a quick watch of this video to learn more.

Patient Testimonial - Jim | Chronic Pain

“I tried a little bit...and there’s just no looking back. It was probably one of the smartest things I ever did.” -- Jim

I’d like to introduce you to another one of my amazing patients who was kind enough to share his story to help educate others about the role cannabinoid therapy can play in managing chronic pain.

When Jim was referred to me, his pain was so severe that he wasn’t comfortable doing anything. Even sitting for a period of time was painful, so needless to say his quality of life was significantly affected.

Cannabinoid therapy has been the only treatment that has made a difference in managing his chronic, severe pain.

Personal Update From Dr. Pearson

Another early start today to deliver virtual training to the doctors I’ve been working with in Australia. Today’s group was from Western Australia where the time difference isn’t so bad - a 7:00 a.m. start is a-okay!

Next week, I’ll be circling back with the Eastern Australia and New Zealand group I’ve been working with and that’s a 4:30 a.m. start time for me...which requires a VERY early morning dip in the lake to wake up!

It’s a great day when I can teach in the morning and see patients later on - two of the best parts of my job! Hope everyone is having a great day as well!

Virtual House Call with Dr. Blake Pearson

With the full legalization of adult-use (recreational) cannabis in Canada, some critics, including certain members of the Canadian Medical Association, have suggested that the medical access stream is no longer needed. This is an uninformed and frankly dangerous opinion that would hurt our country’s most vulnerable patients - including the elderly and the young - who could never properly treat their conditions using recreational cannabis products on the advice of a “budtender” instead of a seasoned physician.

I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on this topic and more during a recent chat with @flowerhourpod . I hope you’ll have a listen.

Full podcast available here.