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

As Thailand calm cannabis legal guidelines in June 2022, Facebook posts circulated with a claim that getting “one particular to two drops of marijuana everyday can overcome 39 disorders”, together with Alzheimer’s, diabetic issues and substantial blood pressure. Even so, the posts are misleading there is no evidence that hashish or its derivatives can cure these ailments, but they can be utilized to relieve selected problems, in accordance to health and fitness experts. They instructed AFP the use of hashish for health-related uses should be monitored by a health care provider.

“Be informed prior to making use of #ganja to glimpse following your well being,” reads a Thai-language Facebook put up from June 11, 2022, shared around a hundred times.

An accompanying infographic includes photographs of dropper bottles and Thai-language text that translates to English as: “39 terrible disorders can be cured, just take 1-2 drops just before mattress each working day. Performs as both therapy and safety.”

The post names health problems including Alzheimer’s, diabetic issues, cancer, schizophrenia, melancholy, paralysis, psoriasis, HIV and far more.

Hashish extracts deal with a wide range of solutions that normally consist of higher concentrations of cannabinoids, chemical substances uncovered in the cannabis plant. These can be bought in reliable or liquid kind, which can then be positioned beneath the tongue employing a spray or dropper.

The psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the greatest recognized cannabinoid, though cannabidiol (CBD) does not produce a “high” but has been demonstrated to be effective for a vary of ailments this sort of as anxiety or insomnia.

The posts circulated as Thailand — the place people caught with cannabis earlier confronted up to ten a long time in jail and a significant fine — peaceful its regulations on June 9 2022, enabling permitted people to possess and increase the plant less than new guidelines.

Marijuana has been employed as a standard herb for centuries in Thailand but was banned a long time in the past. 

While CBD has been accepted for healthcare use, hashish extracts with a lot more than .2 p.c focus of THC remain unlawful.

AFP reported on the developments listed here.

The infographic has also been shared with a very similar assert on Facebook here, here, listed here and right here.

However, wellbeing specialists explained to AFP the declare is misleading.

‘Insufficient proof‘

Affiliate professor of preventive medication at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn College Dr Thira Woratanarat — who would only comment on the legalised CBD — explained most of the disorders and disorders stated in the declare have not been tested treatable with the material.

Thira claimed it is a tested option treatment method for patients going through chemotherapy, clients with cerebral palsy, continual suffering and to relieve seizures.

“It is not a alternative but can be utilised as an choice in scenario the key medication is unavailable,” claimed Thira, who also famous that it has been confirmed risk-free and productive within a minimal scope.

Even so, other problems — these as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, despair and HIV that are pointed out in the misleading posts — have not been clinically tested to be treatable with CBD.

He urged patients wanting to consider CBD for its purported well being gains to seek clinical tips.

Not for immediate most cancers cure

Dr Nicha Zungsontiporn, a lecturer from the oncology division of Chulalongkorn College and The King Chulalongkorn Memorial Medical center, also instructed AFP on June 20, 2022, that extracts from marijuana are unable to be made use of to address cancer immediately.

Nicha reported: “CBD is utilized to support clients having cancer medicine or chemotherapy.

“It is not employed as a immediate procedure for cancer sufferers, but is applied to mitigate the side-outcomes of the treatment procedure,” she additional, which could involve nausea and lack of appetite.

In the meantime, Thira warned that each day use of CBD could direct to material dependency.

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