Facebook posts mislead on health benefits of cannabis as Thailand relaxes laws

As Thailand peaceful hashish guidelines in June 2022, Facebook posts circulated with a assert that using “a single to two drops of marijuana daily can heal 39 ailments”, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and significant blood strain. Nevertheless, the posts are misleading there is no proof that cannabis or its derivatives can heal these conditions, but they can be employed to reduce particular conditions, according to health industry experts. They told AFP the use of cannabis for clinical uses should really be monitored by a health care supplier.

“Be informed right before working with #ganja to look soon after your well being,” reads a Thai-language Fb submit from June 11, 2022, shared above a hundred times.

An accompanying infographic contains visuals of dropper bottles and Thai-language text that interprets to English as: “39 terrible disorders can be treated, just acquire 1-2 drops prior to mattress each working day. Functions as equally therapy and safety.”

The post names sicknesses together with Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, schizophrenia, despair, paralysis, psoriasis, HIV and extra.

Cannabis extracts include a broad selection of goods that normally include significant concentrations of cannabinoids, chemical substances located in the cannabis plant. These can be offered in sound or liquid type, which can then be put less than the tongue using a spray or dropper.

The psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most effective acknowledged cannabinoid, when cannabidiol (CBD) does not make a “superior” but has been demonstrated to be efficient for a selection of circumstances such as nervousness or sleeplessness.

Screenshot of the misleading Fb write-up, taken on June 14, 2022.

The posts circulated as Thailand — wherever men and women caught with hashish earlier faced up to ten several years in jail and a significant good — relaxed its regulations on June 9 2022, allowing permitted users to possess and increase the plant below new tips.

Cannabis has been applied as a classic herb for generations in Thailand but was banned decades back. 

Although CBD has been accredited for clinical use, cannabis extracts with far more than .2 percent concentration of THC continue being illegal.

AFP claimed on the developments below.

The infographic has also been shared with a identical declare on Facebook here, in this article, below and in this article.

Nonetheless, overall health gurus instructed AFP the claim is deceptive.

‘Insufficient evidence‘

Associate professor of preventive medicine at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn College Dr Thira Woratanarat — who would only remark on the legalised CBD — said most of the conditions and disorders pointed out in the assert have not been established treatable with the substance.

Thira claimed it is a proven substitute treatment for patients going through chemotherapy, clients with cerebral palsy, persistent pain and to ease seizures.

“It is not a substitute but can be employed as an alternate in scenario the most important medication is unavailable,” claimed Thira, who also mentioned that it has been proven safe and sound and efficient inside of a minimal scope.

However, other circumstances — these kinds of as Alzheimer’s, diabetic issues, despair and HIV that are mentioned in the deceptive posts — have not been clinically demonstrated to be treatable with CBD.

He urged people wanting to acquire CBD for its purported wellbeing advantages to look for health-related guidance.

Not for direct cancer therapy

Dr Nicha Zungsontiporn, a lecturer from the oncology division of Chulalongkorn College and The King Chulalongkorn Memorial Medical center, also told AFP on June 20, 2022, that extracts from marijuana simply cannot be made use of to deal with cancer directly.

Nicha explained: “CBD is made use of to support clients taking most cancers treatment or chemotherapy.

“It is not used as a immediate remedy for most cancers sufferers, but is made use of to mitigate the aspect-consequences of the procedure course of action,” she added, which could contain nausea and lack of appetite.

In the meantime, Thira warned that every day use of CBD could guide to substance dependency.

“Ongoing use will final result in our body’s enhanced tolerance, which can guide to a will need for better dosage.”