Pain Reduced & Sleep Improved for Rheumatology Patients Using Cannabis
This study, published in September 2021 in the journal Pain Research & Management, evaluated the effect of cannabis treatment on pain level and quality of sleep of patients with different medical conditions at different rheumatology clinics (they focus on treatment of diseases that affect the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons).
The data was collected from 319 rheumatology clinic patients with an average age of 46 years old. 76% were female and 82% had fibromyalgia (widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues), 9% had mechanical problems, 4% had neuropathic problems, and 4% had inflammatory problems.
"MC [medical cannabis] had a favorable effect on pain level and quality of sleep among all spectrums of problems at the rheumatology clinic."
Pain levels were reduced by 57% to 83%, and sleep quality was improved by 71% to 87%, based on the condition. The average potency level of the cannabis was 18% THC and about 3% CBD. The patients used about 33 grams of cannabis per month on average, or a little over 1 gram a day.