Three months of medical cannabis did not change metabolic markers in chronic pain patients
A prospective study of 28 patients found no significant changes in blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, cortisol, uric acid, or body weight after three months of medical cannabis use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
There was no significant change in any metabolic parameter evaluated, including fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin, lipid profile, cortisol, uric acid, or body weight, after three months of medical cannabis consumption.
Key Numbers
28 patients completed the study (mean age 47.8 years, ~70% female). 75% had fibromyalgia. Mean monthly consumption was 22.21 grams. 75% used extracts (oil). No significant changes in any metabolic parameter.
How They Did This
Prospective study of 28 rheumatology patients newly approved for medical cannabis for resistant chronic pain. Fasting metabolic panels and body weight were measured at baseline and three months after starting cannabis.
Why This Research Matters
Concerns about metabolic side effects could discourage patients and clinicians from using medical cannabis for chronic pain. Knowing that short-term use did not alter metabolic markers provides initial safety data.
The Bigger Picture
While cannabis affects appetite and activity levels, this small study suggests those effects may not translate into measurable metabolic changes over three months, at least in this population.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (28 patients). Only three months of follow-up. 75% used oil extracts, limiting generalizability to other consumption methods. No control group.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would longer-term use produce metabolic changes?
- ?Do different consumption methods or higher doses affect metabolic markers differently?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 28 patients, 3 months, zero significant metabolic changes
- Evidence Grade:
- Small prospective study with no control group and short follow-up period.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Metabolic effects of medical cannabis treatment.
- Published In:
- Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research, 70(2), 446-448 (2022)
- Authors:
- Habib, George(5), Aamar, Suhail
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03895
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does medical cannabis affect blood sugar or cholesterol?
In this small study of 28 patients over three months, medical cannabis did not significantly change blood glucose, A1c, insulin, lipid profile, or any other metabolic marker measured.
Does medical cannabis cause weight gain?
The 28 participants showed no significant change in body weight after three months of medical cannabis use, despite cannabis's known effects on appetite.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03895APA
Habib, George; Aamar, Suhail. (2022). Metabolic effects of medical cannabis treatment.. Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research, 70(2), 446-448. https://doi.org/10.1136/jim-2021-002059
MLA
Habib, George, et al. "Metabolic effects of medical cannabis treatment.." Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1136/jim-2021-002059
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Metabolic effects of medical cannabis treatment." RTHC-03895. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/habib-2022-metabolic-effects-of-medical
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.