Although medical marijuana is derived from the same plant species as recreational marijuana, those seeking medical relief often choose strains with unique chemical ratios not often sought by the recreational user. For example, medical users are more likely to choose profiles with significant CBD ratios present instead of seeking the highest level of THC possible.
In this study, 24 patients certified for medical marijuana use were assessed in regards to cognitive brain function following 3 months of medical marijuana treatment.
At the time the authors wrote this article, 11 of the patients had returned for their 3 month follow up. In comparison to their baseline evaluation, these users experienced some improvement on measures of executive functioning, mostly reflected as increased speed in completing tasks without a loss of accuracy.
In addition, on self report questionnaires, these medical marijuana users reported reduced sleep disturbance, less depression, less impulsivity, and some improvement in quality of life. There was also a significant decrease in prescription usage, notably a 42% decline in opiate use.
