December Healer Webinar Highlights Cannabis Research on Opioids, Substance Use, and Autism
The December Healer webinar explored recent studies on cannabis's role in managing opioids, substance use, alcohol consumption, and autism symptoms, highlighting its therapeutic potential
Key Points
- 1Dr. Dustin Sulak discussed cannabis research in the December Healer webinar
- 2Studies showed cannabis's potential in enhancing opioid pain relief and reducing substance use
- 3Cannabis reduced alcohol consumption and offered temporary autism symptom relief
- 4Research emphasized the need for balanced THC-CBD combinations in therapies
- 5Dr. Sulak advocated for reducing stigma around cannabis use in treatment
In the latest Healer webinar, Dr. Dustin Sulak, an osteopathic physician, reviewed significant research studies exploring the impact of cannabis on various health conditions, including opioid use, substance abuse recovery, alcohol consumption, and autism symptoms. The session focused on the potential benefits of cannabis, particularly CBD and THC, in these areas, while also touching on the importance of understanding their roles in conjunction with traditional treatments
One highlighted study published in PAIN examined the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in combination with hydromorphone, an opioid, to assess pain relief and other drug effects. The study involved 31 healthy participants and found that lower doses of CBD enhanced the analgesic properties of hydromorphone without increasing adverse effects. Dr. Sulak emphasized the potential of a THC-CBD combination in enhancing opioid treatment, noting that while CBD's role may not be as significant as THC's, it remains a valuable component in cannabis-based therapies
Another study discussed was a pilot program published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, which integrated medical cannabis into a residential substance use recovery program. This qualitative study involved 14 participants and demonstrated that cannabis could aid in reducing cravings and pain, thus supporting recovery efforts. Dr. Sulak advocated for the de-stigmatization of cannabis use in substance recovery, encouraging open discussions about its benefits
The webinar also covered research on cannabis's effects on alcohol consumption. A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry revealed that smoking cannabis cigarettes with varying THC levels reduced alcohol intake among heavy drinkers. Although the findings were not groundbreaking, Dr. Sulak highlighted the potential of cannabis as a strategic tool in managing alcohol cravings, suggesting that further exploration into its mechanisms could enhance understanding and application in treatment settings
Finally, the session addressed the use of cannabis for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in adults, as reported in Scientific Reports. Researchers found a significant reduction in the severity of ASD symptoms following cannabis use, with a 73.09% decrease observed. However, these improvements were temporary, aligning with the known short-term effects of inhaled cannabis. Dr. Sulak noted that while cannabis offers immediate relief, it does not provide long-term symptom prevention, underscoring the need for ongoing research