Balancing Relief and Side Effects: Promising Developments in Medical Cannabis and Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment

A study by researchers at The University of New Mexico found that patients who reported feeling "High" experienced 7.7% greater symptom relief and an increase in reporting of positive side effects such as "Relaxed" and "Peaceful." However, these benefits must be weighed against a more than 20% increase in negative side effect reporting. Feeling high was highly correlated with a variety of side effects, including impairment and euphoria. THC levels were most strongly associated with feeling high, while using a vaporizer rather than combusting the cannabis flower was associated with a reduced likelihood of feeling high. The study concludes with recommendations for stakeholders, including caution against the cannabis industry's drive for ever-higher THC levels.