Researchers at People Science Explore the Effects of Cannabinoids on Sleep
by Bethan Rose
A new study is set to examine the use of cannabis for anxiety. The collaborative effort between CannaMD, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Releaf App aims to pinpoint the perfect ratio of cannabinoids for anxiety relief.
Recognized as one of the biggest networks of medical marijuana physicians in Florida, CannaMD is right at the forefront of cannabis research. The company has curated numerous research efforts in the past, including investigations into cannabis for Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Statistics published by the Florida Department of Health indicate that there are over 645,000 active patients who are currently eligible to receive medicinal cannabis across the state. Some of the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis patients in Florida include anxiety, cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, seizures, PTSD, and Parkinson’s disease.
In spite of the fact that numerous peer-reviewed clinical trials have shown cannabis to be a powerful anxiolytic—such as this study featured in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research—less research has been carried out on the ideal ratios of cannabinoids for anxiety.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are produced naturally by the cannabis plant. There are more than 100 of them, with the most commonly known/researched being THC and CBD. However, future research efforts are expected to tell us more about other cannabinoids, such as:
Occasional anxiety is something that most of us deal with, whether it stems from work-related stress or getting stuck in a traffic jam when in a rush. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, cause a lot more than just temporary fears or worries. In fact, someone who fails to seek treatment for a diagnosed anxiety disorder may notice that their symptoms intensify over time.
Approximately 31% of people living in the U.S. will experience disordered anxiety at some stage of their life, and the mental health condition tends to affect women more than men. Symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, and trembling, can interfere with day-to-day activities, including relationships, work-related tasks, sleep, and overall performance.
Anxiety is not limited to just one type of disorder. Examples of some of the most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and some phobia-related disorders. SAD affects the highest percentage of U.S. adults at 12%.
Patient-reported experiences will be assessed as part of this study on cannabis for anxiety. Each participant will share their experience after consuming medicinal-grade cannabis purchased from a handful of Florida’s licensed dispensaries.
The Releaf App—a smartphone application developed by MoreBetter—will be used over a 45-day period by the participants, all of whom will be asked to answer questions regarding their experiences with anxiety and cannabis use. Specifically, each respondent will input information about their cannabis consumption habits, their level of symptomatic relief, and any experienced side effects.
The aim is to find at least 1,000 certified Florida medical cannabis patients to participate in the study. Eligible study subjects could be on the receiving end of a $250 Amazon gift card for their involvement. Visit CannaMD’s website to learn more or to register for a chance at participating.
MoreBetter Ltd. is a creative agency devoted to designing and developing technological tools that can be harnessed to improve quality of life. Releaf App was officially released by the company in mid-2016 with the primary goal of assisting patients in understanding how to integrate cannabis into their daily routine effectively.
The MoreBetter team felt inspired to launch the cannabis smartphone application after learning about one of their partner’s mother’s uphill battle with chronic pain. Thanks to the app’s unique design, patients can monitor the personal suitability of marijuana strains and chemotypes for a diverse list of common medical problems in real-time.
Technologies from MoreBetter are often relied on by healthcare experts, researchers, and cannabis product creators who wish to gather data on the consumer-reported effects of cannabis and CBD. Find out more by visiting releafapp.com or, alternatively, download the app directly to your phone.
I wouldn’t mind doing the cannabis study
My daughter is 35 she is suffering terribly with anxiety
She is on medication and she isn’t doing well
No One can see her for 4-6 weeks
Any recommendations would be appreciated
Nobody wants to spend time with paranoid Pete, but if you don’t choose your cannabis strains wisely, you could get flung into a portal of paranoia yourself. Funnily enough, a recent Marist poll found that almost a third of cannabis users in the U.S. use marijuana to ease anxiety or stress. A separate Marist poll…
Consuming alcohol heavily in young adulthood is associated with an increased likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), the most widespread substance-related disorder worldwide. Research has already shed light on the effects of individual differences like alcohol sensitivity and cardiovascular responses in predicting binge drinking behaviors and progression to AUD. However, there remains a gap…
Alternative medicine is becoming more widely acknowledged and practiced than ever before, opening the door for therapies like psychedelics to enter the world of mainstream healthcare. One psychedelic that’s been getting a whole lot of attention lately is psilocybin, an active ingredient in mushroom species that are often called “magic mushrooms.” Psilocybin is a naturally…
Kentucky is once again exploring medical cannabis legalization, D.C. made good on its expungement promises, and Minnesota okayed a psychedelic task force. Let’s dive into this week’s cannanews. Kentucky Inches Toward Medical Cannabis Legalization Earlier this week, Kentucky’s State Senate passed a new proposal that seeks to legalize medical cannabis in the state. Under the…
The people of Japan, a country renowned for its sushi cuisine scene, iconic Mount Fuji, and eye-catching cherry blossom trees, may soon have access to legal medicinal marijuana for intractable diseases. On Tuesday, January 24, several legislative bills were unveiled by the Japanese government. One of the proposed bills would amend the Cannabis Control Law…
Cannabis business owners will tell you that when it comes to running business ads, it is very difficult, if not almost impossible….
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabis became more accessible across the United States. Thus, cannabis culture has been ever-expanding. And with compounds…
Missouri is home to an estimated population of roughly 6 million residents. The state is popular for the agriculture industry, barbecue, and…