Cannabis Use Reduces Premature Death

“This headline is a feather in any product/drug’s cap. Cannabis use is associated with decreased rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus, mortality from traumatic brain injury, use of alcohol and prescription drugs, driving fatalities, and opioid overdose deaths. These data suggest that Cannabis use may decrease premature deaths.”

- Dr. David Hepburn 

Abstract:

Adverse effects of moderate Cannabis use on physical health are subtle and rarely fatal, while Cannabis use is associated with decreased rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus, mortality from traumatic brain injury, use of alcohol and prescription drugs, driving fatalities, and opioid overdose deaths.

These data suggest that Cannabis use may decrease premature deaths. To date, no studies have attempted to estimate the impacts of Cannabis use on premature death that include both adverse and beneficial effects on physical health. Marijuana use is estimated to reduce premature deaths from diabetes mellitus, cancer, and traumatic brain injury by 989 to 2,511 deaths for each 1% of the population using Cannabis. 

Read the full article here:

https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/21632

Visit: 

Dr. David Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis for Crohn’s? - Dr. David Hepburn

“Cannabis isgetting more attentionfortheawfulconditions of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. Inflammatoryboweldisease, not to be confusedwith Irritable BowelDisease (though cannabis appears to havesomeeffect in both) isnotanuncommonconditionthat can lead to drasticmeasures.”

       -  Dr. David Hepburn

Research from the University of Bath said the findings could help explain why some patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) report medical marijuana can help their symptoms.

The researchers believe that, because cannabis use introduces cannabinoids into the body, these molecules could help relieve gut inflammation as the naturally produced endocannabinoids would.

Read full article here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/cannabis-marijuana-inflammatory-bowel-disease-crohns-colitis-ibd-ibs-digestion-symptoms-a8490246.html

Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis use is associated with a greater likelihood for suicide attempts in adolescents

Article Recommended by Dr. David Hepburn:

Cannabis use and suicide attempts among 86,254 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 21 low- and middle-income countries.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Evidence suggests that cannabis use may be associated with suicidality in adolescence. Nevertheless, very few studies have assessed this association in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this cross-sectional survey, we investigated the association of cannabis use and suicidal attempts in adolescents from 21 LMICs, adjusting for potential confounders.

METHOD:

Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey was analyzed in 86,254 adolescents from 21 countries [mean (SD) age = 13.7 (0.9) years; 49.0% girls]. Suicide attempts during past year and cannabis during past month and lifetime were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS:

The overall prevalence of past 30-day cannabis use was 2.8% and the age-sex adjusted prevalence varied from 0.5% (Laos) to 37.6% (Samoa), while the overall prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was 3.9% (range 0.5%-44.9%). The overall prevalence of suicide attempts during the past year was 10.5%. Following multivariable adjustment to potential confounding variables, past 30-day cannabis use was significantly associated with suicide attempts (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.42-2.91). Lifetime cannabis use was also independently associated with suicide attempts (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.74-3.04).

CONCLUSION:

Our data indicate that cannabis use is associated with a greater likelihood for suicide attempts in adolescents living in LMICs. The causality of this association should be confirmed/refuted in prospective studies to further inform public health policies for suicide prevention in LMICs.

“Although causality cannot be established, there is some indication for concern. The adolescent brain is a minefield and neuromaturation, particularly when concerning areas of the brain responsible for controlling impulsive behavior and decision making (executive thought), is not complete until about age 25.”

- Dr. David Hepburn 

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30447436

Dr. Dave Hepburn website:

https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Use of THC in Adolescence May Reduce Ability to Cope with Stress in Adulthood

Article Recommended by Dr. David Hepburn:

Concomitant THC and stress adolescent exposure induces impaired fear extinction and related neurobiological changes in adulthood.

Abstract

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) consumption during adolescence is reported to be a risk factor for the appearance of psychiatric disorders later in life. The interaction between genetic or environmental events and cannabinoid exposure in the adolescent period can also contribute to exacerbate behavioural deficits in adulthood. 

Here we investigate the effects of THC treatment as well as the consequences of concomitant THC and stress exposure during adolescence in the extinction of fear memory in adult mice. 

Adolescent mice treated with THC and exposed to stress exhibit impaired cued fear extinction in adulthood. However, no effect was observed in animals exposed to these two factors separately. 

Notably, resistance to fear extinction was associated with decreased neuronal activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the infralimbic prefrontal cortex, suggesting a long-term dysregulation of the fear circuit. 

"Yet another study underscoring why THC use in youth is of concern. Concomitant THC and stress adolescent exposure induces impaired fear extinction and related neurobiological changes in adulthood. As the youth brain is one that is “under construction”, THC should be used in this demographic under medical guidance…only."

Dr. Dave Hepburn

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30439419

Dr. David Hepburn website: 
doctordavidhepburn.com 

LEGALIZING MEDICAL CANNABIS ACTUALLY IMPROVES WORKPLACE SAFETY

Article recommended by Dr. David Frederick Hepburn:

Medical marijuana laws and workplace fatalities in the United States.

Abstract

• AIMS: The aim of this research was to determine the association between legalizing medical marijuana and workplace fatalities.

• DESIGN:Repeated cross-sectional data on workplace fatalities at the state-year level were analyzed using a multivariate Poisson regression.

• SETTING: To date, 29 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Although there is increasing concern that legalizing medical marijuana will make workplaces more dangerous, little is known about the relationship between medical marijuana laws (MMLs) and workplace fatalities.

• PARTICIPANTS: All 50 states and the District of Columbia for the period 1992-2015.

• MEASUREMENTS: Workplace fatalities by state and year were obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regression models were adjusted for state demographics, the unemployment rate, state fixed effects, and year fixed effects.

• FINDINGS: Legalizing medical marijuana was associated with a 19.5% reduction in the expected number of workplace fatalities among workers aged 25-44 (incident rate ratio [IRR], 0.805; 95% CI, .662-.979). The association between legalizing medical marijuana and workplace fatalities among workers aged 16-24, although negative, was not statistically significant at conventional levels. The association between legalizing medical marijuana and workplace fatalities among workers aged 25-44 grew stronger over time. Five years after coming into effect, MMLs were associated with a 33.7% reduction in the expected number of workplace fatalities (IRR, 0.663; 95% CI, .482-.912). MMLs that listed pain as a qualifying condition or allowed collective cultivation were associated with larger reductions in fatalities among workers aged 25-44 than those that did not.

• CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence that legalizing medical marijuana improved workplace safety for workers aged 25-44. Further investigation is required to determine whether this result is attributable to reductions in the consumption of alcohol and other substances that impair cognitive function, memory, and motor skills.

• KEYWORDS: Medical marijuana; Workplace fatalities

“While this may seem, at first blush, to go against reason, the reduction of alcohol consumption with medical cannabis use, has been show to improve alcohol-related safety parameters in jurisdictions where medical cannabis is permitted. That it appears to extend to the workplace is very revealing" Dr. David Hepburn

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30092547