What are Cannaceuticals? (The Great Cannabis Medicine Race)

What are Cannaceuticals - The Great Cannabis Medicine Race

cannaceuticals

Israel has long been the forerunner of medical cannabis research. Some of the most significant and interesting studies are coming from this small middle-eastern country. They brought us studies on cannabis and bone health, cancer research, neuropathic pain and much more.

The government finally approved medical cannabis exports, meaning that soon you might be seeing Israeli-based cannabis medicine on shelves near you. Today, we’ll be looking over some of their latest findings, research and studies on medical cannabis.

Marijuana and the Elderly

One of the fastest growing demographics in the cannabis consumer market are people over the age of 60 years old. There is a large group of people who have turned away from conventional pharmaceuticals to a more natural cannabis-based approach.

Some of the major concerns within this demographic include; cancer, neuropathic pain, dementia, Parkinson’s, etc.

A recent study by Tikun Olam’s Cannabis research department evaluated the response of patients over the age of 65 with the above mentioned condition, about the efficacy of cannabis as a medicine.

The statistical analysis of the data revealed that patients reported a significant decrease in pain levels and experienced an improvement in their lives. The general perception about the efficacy of the medicine was positive.

“Cottonmouth” and “Dizziness” were the two most reported adverse side effects. However, these side effects were mitigated by changing dose and strain. Statistical analysis also revealed that there were fewer reported “falls”, despite the fact that dizziness should indicate a higher prevalence of falling.

The biggest factor was a significant reduction in opioid use within the demographic. Patients tend to prefer medical cannabis over opioids.

Dementia

Within sufferers of dementia, another study was being conducted. This done by Dr. Vered Hermush, Director of the Geriatric Wing at Laniado Hospital, with the purpose of seeing how effective cannabis could be to treat the symptoms of the condition.

Traditionally, dementia patients could display psychotic breaks. This is a violent event that affects both the sufferer and their family members.

Anti-psychotics are sometimes ineffective and patients can become resistant to treatment. The assumption was that cannabis would provide a calming effect to the patients. However, the research revealed that patients had more mental clarity. Some patients that were incapable of communication with family members, started to communicate after starting with their treatment.

Appetite for Dialysis

Currently, Tikun Olam is working on research relating to improving caloric intake for patients who have to undergo dialysis. It is already common knowledge that cannabis can help improve appetite in sufferers with HIV/AIDS and people undergoing chemotherapy.

However, dialysis also has a negative effect on appetite. The hopes of this research is to find a way to assist patients undergoing dialysis by increasing their nutritional uptake.

The Cannabis Medicine Race

Israel is the leader in medical cannabis research. As more countries legalize marijuana, we should be seeing a higher number of companies pour billions into cannabis research. The Cannaceutical Market will become a multi-billion-dollar industry and cannabinoid research will see a significant increase in investment and R&D.

We don’t know exactly how the future of medical cannabis will look like, but based on the type of research being done in places like Israel, the future seems bright indeed.

All over the world we are seeing countries legalize marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes. Even the World Health Organization is suggesting that global restrictions on cannabis be removed.

We’re on the cusp of great change.

Within the United States, Senator Cory Booker re-introduced the Marijuana Justice Act, a bill that would end the federal prohibition on marijuana. A large portion of the presidential hopefuls have cannabis as an intricate talking point for their platforms. In other words, in all likeliness during the next US presidential election, cannabis legalization will be on the table. Unless of course if Congress just goes ahead and legalizes it before then.

This is important because the United States is a major player in the global cannabis market. Once the federal government green-lights cannabis, research and development will explode. The U.S legalizing cannabis federally would also be the hair that breaks the camel’s back, in terms of global legalization.

What cannabis medicine will be in the next five years will be very different than what it is today. From the strains we grow to the ways we consume it, everything will be revolutionized, repackaged, optimized, standardized, purified, isolated…you name it…it will happen.

This doesn’t mean that the raw plant will go away, it simply means that there will be more options to treat a long list of conditions with cannabis. If you can’t smoke it, you’ll be able to get it in a spray or patch, a capsule. You’ll be able to get only CBD or only THC. Different ratio’s with different minor cannabinoids.

This time will come sooner than later.