MJ Relieves Pain, Seizures, and 25 Other Symptoms

A study involving 16,000 patients has shown that MJ and its derivatives can quickly and effectively relieve symptoms of a wide range of conditions, including pain and insomnia. Researchers from the University of New Mexico found that using MJ leads to rapid relief of various symptoms, primarily pain, as well as anxiety and other signs of depression. To conduct the study, scientists used data from the Releaf App, a mobile application specifically designed for patients to document their use of MJ and its products.

“If our results are extrapolated to the general population, it turns out that MJ and its products could replace a multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical market. In fact, this replacement is already happening,” explains Jacob Vigil, one of the study’s authors.

The Releaf App allows users to track their consumption and rate the intensity of symptoms before and after using MJ. According to its creators, the app stands out from other data collection methods (such as diaries or consultations with specialists) because it is quick to use and anonymous, making it more comfortable for those who prefer not to discuss their treatment or MJ use.

Additionally, the authors note that studying data collected by patients themselves in everyday settings (outside hospitals and without doctors present) has its advantages. This is especially important because MJ is typically used at home, not under medical supervision. The environment can influence the effect, preferred form, and frequency of use, so app-based research is considered one of the best ways to obtain reliable data, according to Vigil and his colleagues.

Study Details and Results

The first study analyzed data from 2,830 patients with 27 different diagnoses, experiencing symptoms ranging from anxiety to seizures. The average subjective symptom relief after 13,638 uses of MJ was four points on a ten-point scale (all forms were considered: extracts, tinctures, edibles, wax candles, ointments, and even toothpaste). The second study focused only on the effects of smoking MJ flowers in patients with insomnia; 409 people reported a total of 1,056 uses. Data analysis showed the effectiveness of MJ’s active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in relieving ten types of pain and symptoms such as seizures, nausea, weakness, increased and decreased appetite, anxiety, and 11 other conditions.

THC’s ability to relieve pain—including chronic and cancer-related pain—and to ease symptoms of epilepsy, cerebral palsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder has long been proven. There is also reason to believe that THC can help patients with other diagnoses. However, Vigil’s work is the first large-scale study of MJ’s effectiveness based on patients’ subjective assessments.

The authors note that no other known medication has as broad a spectrum of action as MJ. According to the data collected via the app, THC-containing products relieve 27 symptoms, with positive side effects (relaxation, calmness, overall well-being) occurring much more frequently and strongly than negative ones (anxiety, headache).