Research

Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders

In the case of epilepsy, new medications are desperately needed as 30%–40% of people living with seizures that do not respond to traditional medication regimens. There is also a great deal of concern from patients and their families about the long-term effects of chronic anti-epilepsy drug use.  


Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials indicate both the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy and seizures.  

Epilepsy Symptoms | Recommended Formulations 

  • SEIZURES | High-CBD Formulation 
  • ANXIETY | High-CBD Formulation 

Seizure Management Resources

  • Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome |  Read More 
  • Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial |  Read More 
  • Effect of Cannabidiol on drop seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome |  Read More 

Other Epilepsy Resources

  • Perceived Efficacy of Cannabidiol-enriched Cannabis Extracts for Treatment Of Pediatric Epilepsy |  Read More 
  • Cannabinoids and Epilepsy |  Read More 
  • CBD-enriched Medical Cannabis for Intractable Pediatric Epilepsy |  Read More 
  • Efficacy Of Artisanal Preparations of Cannabidiol For The Treatment Of Epilepsy |  Read More 
  • Efficacy Of CBD-enriched Medical Cannabis for Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy in Children |  Read More 

Multiple Sclerosis

Recent studies indicate there is expanding acceptance of cannabis within the MS community. While there are many uncertainties about the overall effects associated with cannabis use in patients with MS, research shows cannabis products containing CBD levels equal or higher than THC, have had positive effects on muscle spasticity and pain. The effects of medical cannabis, and its safety, have been reviewed by the American Academy of Neurology in a practice guideline.

Multiple Sclerosis | Recommended Formulations 

  • ANXIETY | High-CBD Formulation 
  • PAIN | Balanced Formulation 
  • MUSCLE SPASM | Balanced Formulation

Clinical Trial Results

  • Multiple Sclerosis and Extract of Cannabis: results of the MUSEC trial |  Read More 
  • Randomized Controlled Trials of Cannabis-Based Medicine in Spasticity Caused by Multiple Sclerosis |  Read More 
  • Randomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis  |  Read More 
  • Do cannabis-based medicinal extracts have general or specific effects on symptoms of multiple sclerosis? A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 160 patients.  |  Read More 

Autism  

Approximately 250,000+ Texans are living with autism. Recent studies suggest that medical cannabis reduced the number and/or intensity of symptoms including hyperactivity, self-injuring behavior, anger, sleep-related difficulties, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness and depression.

Autism Symptoms | Recommended Formulations 

  • DEPRESSION | High-CBD Formulation 
  • SEIZURES | High-CBD Formulation 
  • RESTLESSNESS | High-CBD Formulation 
  • AGGRESSION & DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR | High-CBD Formulation 
  • INSOMNIA | Balanced Formulation 
  • TICS | Balanced Formulation

Human-Based Clinical Trial Results

  • Oral Cannabidiol Use in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to Treat Related Symptoms and Co-morbidities |  Read More 
  • Cannabidiol-Based Medical Cannabis in Children with Autism- a Retrospective Feasibility Study |  Read More 
  • Real-life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy |  Read More 
  • Ethical Implications for Providers Regarding Cannabis Use in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders​  |  Read More 

Cancer 

There is an increased interest in the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of symptoms in cancer and palliative care patients, including pain, loss of appetite, anxiety, insomnia and nausea. In 2016, the American Society of Clinical Oncology published guidelines to help cancer survivors manage chronic pain. These recommendations included the use of medical cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicines. 

Terminal Cancer Symptoms | Recommended Formulations 

  • ANXIETY | High-CBD Formulation 
  • PAIN | Balanced Formulation 
  • APPETITE LOSS | Balanced Formulation 
  • INSOMNIA | Balanced Formulation 
  • NAUSEA | Balanced Formulation

Clinical Trial Results

  • Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of THC:CBD Extract and THC Extract in Patients with Intractable Cancer-Related Pain  |  Read More 
  • An Open-Label Extension Study to Investigate the Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of THC/CBD Oromucosal Spray and Oromucosal THC Spray in Patients With Terminal Cancer-Related Pain Refractory to Strong Opioid Analgesics  |  Read More 

Human Trial Results

  • Patterns of Use of Medical Cannabis Among Israeli Cancer Patients: A Single Institution Experience |  Read More

Other Articles of Interest

  • Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in cancer: current status and future implications |  Read More 
  • Cannabis in palliative care: current challenges and practical recommendations |  Read More 
  • Choice of opioids and the WHO ladder |  Read More 
  • Update on prevalence of pain in patients with cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis  |  Read More 
  • Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems: A Clinical Review |  Read More 
  • Management of chronic pain in survivors of adult cancers: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline  |  Read More 
  • Patterns of Use of Medical Cannabis Among Israeli Cancer Patients: A Single Institution Experience |  Read More 
  • Flavonoid Derivative of Cannabis Demonstrates Therapeutic Potential in Preclinical Models of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer |  Read More 

ALS 

Some studies indicate the use of medical cannabis slows the progress of neurodegeneration. Medical cannabis may improve the quality of life for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptoms by improving appetite and sleep while decreasing pain and spasticity.

ALS Symptoms | Recommended Formulations 

  • APPETITE LOSS | High-CBD Formulation & Balanced Formulation 
  • PAIN | Balanced Formulation 
  • SPASTICITY | Balanced Formulation 

Clinical Trial Results

  • Survey of cannabis use in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |  Read More

Other Articles of Interest

  • Cannabis and ALS: Hypothetical and Practical Applications, and a Call for Clinical Trials   |  Read More 
  • Can cannabinoids be a potential therapeutic tool in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?   |  Read More 
  • Pros and Cons of Medical Cannabis use by People with Chronic Brain Disorders   |  Read More 
  • Endocannabinoids and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis   |  Read More 

Research On Symptoms Related to ALS

  • Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: important new clinical applications for this phytocannabinoid?  |  Read More 
  • Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors |  Read More 
  • Randomized Controlled Trials of Cannabis-Based Medicine in Spasticity Caused by Multiple Sclerosis |  Read More 
  • Multiple Sclerosis and Extract of Cannabis: results of the MUSEC trial |  Read More 
  • Randomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis  |  Read More

Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of memory and cognitive function. Approximately 36 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease, a number estimated to triple by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease often leads to death within 3 to 9 years. Pharmacological modulation of the endocannabinoid system is emerging as a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease that may respond positively to medical cannabis treatments include sleep problems, paranoia, anxiety, dysphoria, pain, poor appetite, and weight loss. In late-stage Alzheimer’s, cannabis may improve appetite, sleep issues, and diminish agitation. 

Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms | Recommended Formulations 

  • APPETITE LOSS | Balanced Formulation 
  • AGITATION/BEHAVIORAL CHANGES | High-CBD Formulation 
  • COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT/CONFUSION | High-CBD Formulation 
  • INSOMNIA/SLEEP ISSUES | Balanced Formulation 
  • MEMORY LOSS | Balanced Formulation 
  • PAIN | Balanced Formulation 

Clinical Trial Results

  • Effects of dronabinol on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer’s disease  |  Read More 
  • Delta–9-tetrahydrocannabinol for nighttime agitation in severe dementia  |  Read More 
  • Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis Oil for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: An-Open Label, Add-On, Pilot Study  |  Read More 

Human Trial Results

  • The Potential Therapeutic Effects of THC on Alzheimer’s Disease |  Read More

Other Articles of Interest

  • Amyloid proteotoxicity initiates an inflammatory response blocked by cannabinoids |  Read More 
  • Pros and Cons of Medical Cannabis use by People with Chronic Brain Disorders |  Read More 
  • The cannabinoid receptor agonist nabilone for the treatment of dementia-related agitation |  Read More 
  • THC for age-related cognitive decline?  |  Read More 
  • Cannabinoids remove plaque-forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells  |  Read More 
  • Alzheimer’s disease; taking the edge off with cannabinoids?  |  Read More 
  • Cannabinoids for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: moving toward the clinic |  Read More 
  • A Molecular Link Between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology |  Read More 
  • Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors |  Read More 

Parkinson’s

Extensive preclinical studies in animals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) provide evidence that regulation of the endocannabinoid system may positively impact various PD symptoms. Cannabinoid receptors are present in high density in the brain, specifically basal ganglia tissues involved in PD. Multiple studies in animal models have demonstrated symptom relief with cannabinoids and suggest cannabinoids play a role in neuroprotection.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms | Recommended Formulations 

  • BRADYKINESIA 
  • DYSKINESIA 
  • INSOMNIA/SLEEP ISSUES | Balanced Formulation 
  • MUSCLE SPASMS | Balanced Formulation 
  • PAIN | Balanced Formulation 
  • RIGIDITY 
  • TREMORS | Balanced Formulation 

Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Studies

  • Effects of cannabidiol in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease: an exploratory double-blind trial |  Read More 

Other Research of Interest

  • Nabilone for non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, enriched enrolment randomized withdrawal study |  Read More 
  • Marijuana for Parkinson’s Disease? Innovations in Clinical Science |  Read More 
  • Marijuana Compounds: A Nonconventional Approach to Parkinson’s Disease Therapy |  Read More 
  • Survey on cannabis use in Parkinson’s disease: subjective improvement of motor symptoms |  Read More 
  • Cannabis use in people with Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis: A web-based investigation  |  Read More 
  • Cannabinoids in Parkinson’s disease. Cannabinoids in Neurologic and Mental Disease |  Read More 
  • Promising cannabinoid-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease: motor symptoms to neuroprotection |  Read More