Understanding Medical Cannabis: A Simple Guide to CBD and THC

Abstract

There is an ongoing debate in the literature about the place of cannabinoid therapy in everyday clinical practice. The overview examined systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the use of medical marijuana (MM) in specific or diseases, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, pain, nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, cachexia, and sleep disorders. We analyzed different cannabinoids like CBD, THC, dronabinol, nabilone, and THC:CBD combinations (Nabiximol) to understand their effects on various medical conditions, dose effectiveness, and side effects. CBD showed promise epilepsy, Nabilone showed a significant reduction in pain and insomnia, Nabiximol has been effective in reducing spasticity, pain, and sleep disturbance in multiple sclerosis patients. Nabilone and dronabinol improve nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, but the evidence is low. The results on the effectiveness of MM in the treatment of cachexia and cancer pain are inconclusive. Outcomes suggest that side effects typically were mild to moderate in severity. The type of cannabinoid (including CBD and THC content) and amount of dose, were found to potentially influence the results obtained in the trials, affecting both the effectiveness and the side effects experienced by patients. Young people, elderly, and children are particularly vulnerable and, despite ongoing research in these age groups, we still know too little about whether and in which clinical conditions the use of medical cannabis is justified. The analyzed studies faced limitations due to heterogeneity in methodology, dosages, and outcome measures and highlighting potential controversies in interpreting the results, so further research is needed.