A new study conducted by scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has found that medical cannabis therapy has a high potential for dependency, which can lead to drug addiction in the worst-case scenario. The researchers recommend stricter regulation of the prescription of medical cannabis. Medical cannabis has been approved as a medication in 12 countries, including a large part of the United States (36 states). The MMNE study (Effect of Medical Marijuana on Neurocognition and Escalation of Use) analyzed whether the medical use of the plant-based drug can lead to cannabis addiction. The study analyzed data from 186 participants who were treated with cannabis for depression and anxiety (44.6%), pain (32.8%), or sleep disorders (22.6%).
The study found that 18 of the participants (17.1%) who received immediate cannabis prescriptions developed cannabis dependency, while only 7 patients (8.6%) in the group that had to wait three months to receive the prescription developed dependency. The symptoms of the participants who developed addiction were mild in both groups. The study also found that the cannabis treatment did not achieve the desired results of improving depression and anxiety or reducing pain in the first three months. Only the treatment of sleep disorders was found to be satisfactory. Based on these findings, the lead researcher, Gilman, recommends stricter regulation of the prescription of medical cannabis, particularly for patients with depression and anxiety disorders.
In conclusion, the study conducted by the MGH scientists has found that medical cannabis therapy has a high potential for dependency, particularly for patients with depression and anxiety disorders. The study recommends stricter regulation of the prescription of medical cannabis to prevent drug addiction. The study also found that the cannabis treatment did not achieve the desired results of improving depression and anxiety or reducing pain in the first three months, except for the treatment of sleep disorders. These findings highlight the need for further research on the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis therapy.
