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Cannabis consumers who caught COVID had ‘better outcomes and mortality’ than non-consumers

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1 year ago

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Cannabis consumers who caught COVID-19 had significantly lower rates of intubation, respiratory failure, and death than people who do not consume, according to a new study based on hospital data that was presented this week at the annual conference of The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) in Honolulu.

“Marijuana users had better outcomes and mortality compared to non-users,” the study says, suggesting that the observed benefits might result from cannabis’s “potential to inhibit viral entry into cells and prevent the release of proinflammatory cytokines.”

“The significant decrease in mortality and complications warrants further investigation of the association between marijuana use and COVID-19,” the report, published in a supplement of the CHEST Journal, says.

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Authors of the study explained the findings on Wednesday in a presentation alongside a poster at the annual CHEST conference. They analyzed records from 322,214 patients from the National Inpatient Sample, a government database that tracks hospital utilization and outcomes. Of those patients, 2,603—less than 1 percent—said they consumed cannabis.

Looking at the two populations separately, marijuana consumers “were younger and had higher prevalance of tobacco use,” wrote the seven-person research team. People who didn’t use marijuana had higher rates of other comorbidities, such as obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

Cannabis consumers also had significantly lower health complications related to COVID:

“On univariate analysis, marijuana users had significantly lower rates of intubation (6.8% vs 12%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (2.1% vs 6%), acute respiratory failure (25% vs 52.9%) and severe sepsis with multiorgan failure (5.8% vs 12%). They also had lower in-hospital cardiac arrest (1.2% vs 2.7%) and mortality (2.9% vs 13.5%).”

Using a 1:1 matching analysis that compared marijuana consumers to nonusers by age, race, gender “and 17 other comorbidities including chronic lung disease,” the team found that cannabis consumers had lower rates of intubation, acute respiratory failure, severe sepsis with multiorgan failure and morality.

Patients who were under 18 or who had information missing from the national database were excluded from the study.

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

While the study uses the phrase “smoking cannabis,” it also refers to participants who identified as “marijuana users.” It’s not clear whether the research is looking at smoking cannabis specifically or also includes other forms of consumption, such as vaping and edibles.

The study‘s lead author, Fasih Sami Siddiqui, did not immediately respond to emailed questions from Marijuana Moment.

As the study acknowledges, “there remains a significant gap in our understanding of the potential impact of marijuana use on COVID-19.” There has been relatively little in-depth study of how cannabis consumption and COVID infection interact. One 2022 study came to a different conclusion, finding that cannabis use was associated with a lower chance of getting COVID but also with more serious infections.

A separate study that same year, however, also found “lower COVID-19 severity” and “significantly better health outcomes” among hospitalized patients.

A 2022 laboratory study from researchers at Oregon State University notably found that certain cannabinoids can potentially prevent COVID-19 from entering human cells. However as doctors at UCLA have noted, that study focused on CBG-A and CBD-A under lab conditions and did not assess marijuana smoking by patients themselves.

Tobacco smoking is widely considered an additional health risk for COVID, meanwhile. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Being a current or former cigarette smoker can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.”

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, some cannabis advocates claimed with little evidence that marijuana or CBD could prevent, treat or even cure coronavirus infection—a claim many other advocates warned was premature and dangerous.

Ginia Coleman/Weedmaps

In March 2020, for example, former NFL player Kyle Turley—who said that medical marijuana changed his life and who now operates his own cannabis brand—made numerous unsubstantiated claims on social media that cannabis would “prevent” and “cure” COVID-19.

The tweets, some of which have since been deleted, included statements such as “CBD CAN PREVENT AND CURE THE CORONA VIRUS,” and “CANNABIS WILL PREVENT & CURE COVID19!!!!!!!…..commence the hate.”

In another now-deleted tweet, Turley appeared to claim that cannabis products are “the cure for cancer.”

In an interview with Marijuana Moment, Turley called his critics “cowards.”

“I’ve been putting in work on my own dime, on my own time, taking away from my family, to move this conversation forward. And that’s what I’ve done,” he said. “I was a first round draft pick, I made millions of dollars, God saved my life through this plant and I live in America. So get used to it,” he said. “And I’m going to continue to spread His word.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) later took enforcement action against Turley’s NeuroXPF business.

Others used the pandemic as an argument in favor of marijuana legalization on different grounds. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D), for example, said in November 2020 that legalizing marijuana in his state would prevent the spread of covid by reducing travel to New Jersey.

This article originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.





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How Cannabis Can Help With Dysmenorrhea

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5 days ago

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November 9, 2024

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Millions suffer, but relief could be here thanks to science and a simple plant.  Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

It is an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but the painful truth is a majority of women will suffer it at some point and finding relief is invaluable. Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain or discomfort during menstruation. It is a common gynecologic problem, but the pain can range from dull cramps to indescribable agony. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

Medicinal cannabis has emerged as a potential treatment option for dysmenorrhea, offering hope for the tens of millions of women who suffer from menstrual pain. Current medical management options primarily consisting of over-the-counter pain relievers and hormonal contraceptives. The effectiveness of these treatments vary greatly.

The endocannabinoid system plays a role in uterine function and pain perception. Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R, as well as TRPV receptors, have been identified in human myometrial tissue. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a primary component of cannabis, can act as a cannabinoid agonist, potentially triggering myometrial relaxation and easing menstrual pain.

Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty

The potential benefits of cannabis for dysmenorrhea includes pain relief, improved sleep quality, and reduced reliance on pharmaceutical pain relievers. While research specifically on cannabis for dysmenorrhea is growing, studies on chronic pain provide some insights:

  • A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios may offer moderate improvement in pain severity.
  • A meta-analysis of 32 trials showed that medical cannabis or cannabinoids resulted in small to very small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning, and sleep quality among chronic pain patients.

There is significant interest in using cannabis for gynecologic pain management:

  • A survey found that 61.2% of women who had never used cannabis and 90.0% of those who had were willing to try it for gynecologic pain.
  • After cannabis legalization in Canada, current cannabis use increased from 13.3% to 21.5% among women with self-reported moderate-to-severe pelvic pain.

With th American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and even AARP recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis, it is critical more research is funded.  Millions of women may be in pain needlessly due to untreated dysmenorrhea.



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Science Says Cannabis Can Be Making Us Healthier

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5 days ago

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November 8, 2024

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As it it becomes available to more people, there is a positive health change going on according to data.

Cannabis is becoming more mainstream and and the side effects are doing even better than expected.  It seems the availability of legal marijuana is helping with the health of the general population. Studies in California, Canada and the now New Zealand have shown the upside of legalization. While cannabis has been used for health benefits for millions of years, reduction in more harmful intoxication products is another important wellness trend.

RELATED: Can CBD Oils Help With Anxiety & Depression

Alcohol consumption is associated with significant health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers. In contrast, marijuana has not been linked to the same level of severe physical health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 36,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to chronic alcohol use, while there is no comparable category for marijuana-related deaths. Alcohol is also much more addictive than marijuana, causing long term physical and mental issues.

A study from New Zealand has found some interesting trends regarding the relationship between marijuana legalization and the consumption of alcohol and opioids.

heart cannabis
Photo by megaflopp/Getty Images

Following the legalization of marijuana in New Zealand, researchers observed a notable decline in alcohol consumption:

This suggests for adults, marijuana may be serving as a substitute for alcohol in some cases, particularly when it comes to heavy drinking episodes.

The relationship between marijuana legalization and opioid use appears more complex:

  • There was no clear evidence of marijuana legalization directly reducing opioid use or abuse.
  • However, some research indicates that people who use cannabis are more likely to initiate opioid use, with an odds ratio of 2.76 compared to non-cannabis users.
  • The likelihood of transitioning from opioid use to opioid use disorders among cannabis users was found to be 2.52 times higher than non-cannabis users.

The study also revealed some additional findings regarding substance use patterns:

  • Marijuana use increased by 16% among adults aged 21 and older following legalization.
  • There was a 5-6% increase in marijuana use initiation among adolescents and young adults aged 12-20. This would be go with the greater North American trend of California sober and Gen Z drifting away from alcohol and more into marijuana.
  • No significant changes were observed in the use of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin in any age group.

RELATED: Marijuana Use And Guy’s Member

These findings suggest while marijuana legalization may lead to decreased alcohol consumption among adults, it does not necessarily translate to reduced use of other substances, particularly opioids. The relationship between cannabis use and other substance use behaviors is complex and multifaceted. Time and more research should yield more benefits.



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Try These Delicious Autumn Cream Drinks

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6 days ago

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November 8, 2024

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Want something delicious with an “oomph” – these yummy creamy concoctions will make your mouth happy!

Fall is a time of coziness, cuffing and nights in front of the fire. Want better way to accent it with a nice tasty cocktail? Try these delicious autumn cream drinks and enjoy the pre-holiday season. Bailey’s was the commercial first cream liquor and made available to the public in 1971. But Irish monks have blended whiskey with fresh dairy cream since the 14th century.  These new and classic connections will bring a smile on crisp nights.

RELATED: Beer Sales Flatten Thanks To Marijuana

Important note, using cream instead of milk in alcoholic cocktails can significantly enhance the drink’s texture, flavor, and overall experience. Cream provides a richer and smoother texture compared to milk. The higher fat content in cream (typically around 36% or more) creates a luxurious mouthfeel that can elevate the drinking experience.

White Russian

The White Russian’s development took about 30 years. The first mention of the drink is in a newspaper was in 1965 in the Oakland Tribune. The 1961 edition of the Diner’s Club Drink Book included a recipe for a Black Russian, with a note suggesting adding cream to make a White Russian. The White Russian’s popularity increased after the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski, where the main character, Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, drinks it throughout the film.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1 ounce Kahlúa
  • 1 ounce heavy cream

Create

  1. Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a rocks glass filled with ice
  2. Top with the heavy cream and stir
White Russian cocktail

Churro Cocktails

A churro is a fried dough pastry originated in Spain and Portugal. They are a fast-growing dessert and breakfast item on menus, and are a popular treat at theme parks and sporting events in Europe and North and South America.  Somrus, who makes cream liquors, made a cocktail from the flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 parts Somrus Coffee
  • 1/2 part cinnamon whiskey

Create

  1. In an ice-filled shaker, add ingredients and shake
  2. Strain and pour

Brandy Alexander

This is was a classic “go to drink” for X. It was rumored to have been created at the Paris Ritz in 1922. Or it could have been made in 1915 by celebrate pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander during a World Series. It was considered a posh way to end the evening, especially after other cocktails.It’s creamy and boozy or a delicious replacement for dessert for those who like to drink their sweets. In the 2000s, it has moved to the back of the line, but is still a great way to cap off a night drinking.

  • 1 1/2 ounces cognac
  • 1 ounce dark creme de cacao
  • 1 ounce cream
  • Grated nutmeg for garnish

Create

  1. Add cognac, dark creme de cacao and cream into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled
  2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or a coupe glass
  3. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

Mango Fizz

For those who are holding on to every last bit of summer, this mango cocktail can add a a little sunshine. The fruit is considered the world’s most popular fruit with over 20 million tons consumed each year. Mangoes are a symbol of friendship and love, which can add to special evening.

Ingredients

  • 2 parts Somrus Mango
  • 1 part citrus vodka
  • ½ part simple syrup
  • Club soda

Create

  1. Combine Mango liqueur, vodka and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker
  2. Shake vigorously
  3. Strain into ice-filled glass
  4. Top with club soda

 



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