Author: Peter Grinspoon
Peter Grinspoon
Dr. Peter Grinspoon is a primary care physician, educator, and cannabis specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital; an instructor at Harvard Medical School; and a certified health and wellness coach. He is the author of Seeing Through the Smoke: A Cannabis Specialist Untangles the Truth About Marijuana, as well as the groundbreaking memoir Free Refills: A Doctor Confronts His Addiction. He is a board member of the advocacy group Doctors for Cannabis Regulation. He is also a TedX speaker and commonly lectures on the topics of cannabis, psychedelics, addiction, opioids, and physician health.
Patients prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products for inflammatory arthritis experienced sustained relief from chronic pain, sleep disruption, and reduced mobility over a two-year period, according to a study published in Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders. Researchers analyzed clinical data from 192 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry who were treated for chronic pain linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Participants completed standard health questionnaires before treatment and at intervals of one, three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months. Two-Year Patient Outcomes Inflammatory arthritis involves an abnormal immune response that causes persistent joint…
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have linked the use of cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines to a heightened risk of stroke. Analyzing data from over 100 million people, the study identifies these common recreational drugs as preventable risk factors for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, particularly among younger adults. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted by a clot (ischemic) or when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic). Deprived of oxygen, brain cells begin to die within minutes, making rapid medical intervention critical. While age and family history are unchangeable risk factors, lifestyle choices…
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have identified that natural compounds in cannabis—distinct from the psychoactive ingredient THC—may hold the key to improving metabolism and controlling blood sugar. This discovery, published in The Journal of Physiology, addresses a long-standing medical paradox: why regular cannabis users often exhibit lower body weights and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, despite the drug famously inducing the "munchies." Led by Nicholas DiPatrizio, a professor of biomedical sciences at the UCR School of Medicine, the research team sought to untangle the metabolic effects of cannabis from its reputation for increasing food intake. To…
Cannabis workplace safety refers to the protocols and conditions protecting employees in the marijuana production and processing industry, a sector that has historically lacked specific health data due to federal restrictions. Now, researchers from the University of Washington (UW) Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences are launching a groundbreaking study to fill this critical knowledge gap. Groundbreaking Research into an Understudied Industry Despite the rapid growth of the legal cannabis industry, with thousands of new workers hired annually, little is known about the specific occupational hazards they face. "The cannabis industry is pretty understudied historically because it is a…
In the quest for a good night's rest, many young adults are turning to substances like cannabis and alcohol as sleep aids. A new study from the University of Michigan, drawing on data from the annual Monitoring the Future Panel Study, sheds light on just how common this practice has become. However, while these substances might offer a quick fix for falling asleep, experts warn they could be sabotaging sleep quality in the long run and potentially leading to more serious health issues. The Prevalence of Substance Use for Sleep The research, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse…
A groundbreaking study at the University of Colorado Boulder is exploring whether cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant, could be the key to helping people with unhealthy cannabis dependency cut back or quit entirely. Led by Cinnamon Bidwell, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, the research aims to address a significant gap in addiction treatment: the lack of frontline, empirically supported remedies for cannabis use disorder (CUD). "It’s one of the biggest myths out there—that you can’t become addicted to or dependent on cannabis," Bidwell stated. Contrary to popular belief, as many as…
A new Texas law, Senate Bill 2024, has taken effect as of Monday, September 1st, making it illegal to sell or market vape pens containing cannabinoids like THC. The law classifies the sale of these products as a Class A Misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties of up to a $4,000 fine and one year in jail. Notably, while the law bans the sale, it does not criminalize the personal possession of a THC vape pen. The ban has caught many retailers off guard and is forcing drastic changes to their operations. Employees at Gruene Botanicals in Austin reported that THC vapes,…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has investigated the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) to alleviate anxiety among breast cancer patients, particularly in the context of scan-related anxiety, also known as "scanxiety." While the findings indicated that a single dose of CBD did not significantly reduce scanxiety, the study suggested that CBD could effectively decrease overall anxiety levels in these patients. Collaborative Research Effort Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mass General Brigham Hospital joined forces to assess the efficacy of CBD in managing anxiety. The randomized clinical trial involved 50 women aged 18 years or older with advanced…
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide, leading to a constant search for safer and more effective ways to manage pain. One treatment option that has gained increasing attention in recent years is CBD oil. But what exactly is CBD oil, and can it truly help alleviate chronic pain? Let's dive in and explore this topic in-depth. Understanding CBD and CBD Oil To grasp the potential of CBD oil for pain management, it's essential first to understand what CBD is and how it differs from other compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD, short for…
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, has taken the world by storm, popping up in everything from drinks and pet products to lotions and chewable gummies. Even major drugstore chains have announced plans to start carrying CBD products in certain states. But with the marketing hype and enthusiasm for CBD products far outpacing the scientific evidence, many consumers find themselves confused and unsure about the true nature and potential benefits of this ubiquitous compound. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into the world of CBD, addressing the most common questions and concerns surrounding this popular cannabinoid. By the…