A new study published in the journal Medicinal Cannabis and Cannabinoids sheds light on how consuming cannabis flower affects feelings of fatigue.
As medical and recreational cannabis access expands throughout the US and some lucky parts of the rest of the world, this research provides crucial insight for consumers and healthcare providers seeking cannabis-based options for treating symptoms like fatigue.
The Study and Its Significance
The study analyzed data from over 1,200 people who recorded nearly 4,000 cannabis consumption sessions using the Releaf App between 2016-2019.
The Releaf App allows users to track changes in symptom intensity levels before and after using cannabis products in real time. Researchers focused specifically on changes in user-reported fatigue levels.
This research is groundbreaking for several reasons. Strict federal regulations have severely limited clinical cannabis research in the US, resulting in minimal scientific understanding of how commercially available cannabis products influence basic bodily functions like energy levels.
Most prior studies focused on synthetic medications or used low-quality government-supplied cannabis barely resembling products sold in medical and recreational dispensaries.
This study analyzed real-world data on a wide variety of common commercial cannabis flower products as consumed by patients.
Key Findings on Fatigue Reduction
The findings suggest commercially available cannabis flower may provide fast-acting relief for fatigue symptoms:
- On average, nearly 92% of study participants reported decreased fatigue after consuming cannabis flower.
- Users experienced an average 3.5 point reduction in fatigue levels on a 0-10 scale, representing a moderate to large effect.
- Unlike labeled cannabis subspecies (indica, sativa, hybrid), the method used to consume flower significantly impacted fatigue relief levels. Those using joints reported greater symptom improvements than pipe or vaporizer users.
- Higher CBD levels were associated with reduced negative side effects like sedation, while not impacting fatigue reductions.
The study indicates properly dosed cannabis flower could serve as an effective option for managing fatigue associated with conditions like chronic pain, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
However, side effects like sedation and lack of motivation occurred in a minority of sessions. Individual metabolism and cannabis chemistry likely influence results.
Examining Flower Characteristics and Demographics
While labeled indica, sativa, and hybrid subspecies didn’t produce differential effects, the method used to consume cannabis proved significant. Those using joints experienced greater fatigue relief than pipe and vaporizer users, with vaporizers showing the weakest effects over time.
This points to the importance of dose control, ease of administration, and differences between combustion methods.
Higher CBD potency reduced reports of negative side effects like sedation across user groups. Meanwhile, THC levels didn’t independently impact results.
This highlights other active compounds like terpenes or terpenoids could modify cannabis effects on energy levels. For less experienced users, however, higher THC was associated with reduced fatigue improvement, emphasizing the need to “start low and go slow”.
Examining demographic factors, men reported improved fatigue reductions compared to women. Age and user experience didn’t impact improvements.
Among subgroups, joints remained most effective for decreasing fatigue except among experienced male users. Those under 40 saw slightly worsened outcomes from indica varieties. Higher CBD potency provided greater relief for women and those under 40.
Limitations and Areas for Future Research
Despite shedding new light on cannabis and fatigue, the study has limitations including lack of a control group, inability to account for use of other substances like caffeine, and lack of precise chemical analysis of the wide array of flower products.
Additional research should investigate how various cannabis compounds interact to influence fatigue and energy levels among healthy and clinical populations. Larger samples could reveal more personalized treatment protocols tailored by factors like age, biological sex, experience level, metabolism, product chemical profiles, and dosing patterns.
Still, these real-world findings represent the largest study quantifying associations between commercially available cannabis flower characteristics and fatigue relief in actual patients to date.
Key Takeaways for Patients and Providers
For those considering cannabis therapies for fatigue related conditions, this research highlights several key points:
- Inhaling whole dried cannabis flower could provide fast-acting relief from fatigue without serious long term side effects for most people.
- Joints may enable easier dosing and produce better fatigue reduction than pipes or vaporizers based on user preferences.
- Higher CBD levels could limit sedative side effects that exacerbate fatigue.
- Less experienced users should exercise particular caution with higher THC potency products to avoid suboptimal results.
- Labeled indica, sativa and hybrid subspecies showed no differences in effects, so patients need not limit themselves based on these unreliable designations.
- Consultation with an experienced healthcare provider specializing in medical cannabis therapies remains highly advised.
While individual results will vary, this research indicates cannabis flower products with moderate THC levels and higher CBD contents could provide therapeutic value and satisfying experiences for patients battling symptoms of fatigue.
As legal access expands globally, further applied studies can continue optimizing dosage guidelines and improve quality of life for those suffering from fatigue related health conditions.
