The scope and methodology behind marijuana-related studies is often hindered by the fact that the weed-fearing gatekeepers have made it really difficult for researchers to, you know, research. But a fresh comprehensive study spotted byEsquire offers one of the most detailed looks at weed's health effects yet, boasting 395 pages of raw research power.
"This report summarizes the current state of evidence regarding what is known about the health impacts of cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including effects related to therapeutic uses of cannabis and potential health risks related to certain cancers, diseases, mental health disorders, and injuries," the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report states.
The report's findings stem from the committee's deep research into more than 10,000 scientific abstracts dating all the way back to 1999, aka the year Backstreet Boys' Millennium was released. That's probablydefinitely a good sign. Though the total haul of conclusions reached in the report are a bit too daunting to cram into a slice of Complex, here are some grav-worthy highlights:
- Conclusive or substantial evidence shows that cannabis or cannabinoids are an effective method of treating chronic pain.
- Conclusive or substantial evidence shows that cannabis or cannabinoids are an effective method of treating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
- Moderate evidence shows that cannabis or cannabinoids are good for people plagued by forms of sleep disturbance, i.e. sleep apnea or chronic pain.
Seemingly obvious findings aside, it's nice to hear that studies have—since 1999—consistently suggested those things to be probable. But the biggest highlight is likely this little number: There is moderate evidence of "no statistical association" between smoking cannabis and lung cancer. Additionally, there is moderate evidence of no statistical association between weed use and head and neck cancers.
Peep all 395 pages of the comprehensive report here.
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