RenewLog in

Get your medical card online in minutes!

Get started

Explore A-Z conditions

Cannabis for Osteoporosis

calendar-icon

Last updated on Oct 7, 2024

Created on Jan 5, 2022

Osteoporosis means “porous bone”, and it is a disease where new bone creation doesn’t keep up with old bone removal. This weakens and causes brittle bones. Many people have no initial symptoms, although over time they can cause joint pain and even fractures. Previous injuries, steroids, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, thyroid problems, gastrointestinal surgery, autoimmune disorders, low calcium intake, organ transplants, insomnia, cancer and seizures can all increase the chances of osteoporosis.

The main treatments include increasing calcium and vitamin D intake (diet & supplements), improving diet, weight-bearing exercises, and medications such as parathyroid hormone, raloxifene (an oestrogen-affecting hormone medication), and bisphosphonates (e.g. alendronic acid).

There is some evidence that suggests that heavy cannabis use may raise the risk of osteoporosis, but there is also evidence that cannabinoids can be used to reverse bone loss. There is certainly much more research needed to be done to see how cannabis and specific cannabinoids affect the bones. Another factor to consider is the specific condition that is leading to osteoporosis. For example, osteoporosis as a result of an autoimmune condition may be effectively treated by cannabis.

Get your medical marijuana card

Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.

  • Larger purchase limits
  • Access to higher potency strains
  • Save up to 40% on product taxes
  • Enhanced legal protection

Research Overview

Animal Study

12

Clinical Trial

1

Laboratory Study

5

Meta-analysis

20

Total studies

Osteoporosis

38

Positive

30 studies

79%

Inconclusive

7 studies

18%

Negative

1 studies

3%

Do I qualify?

Select your state from the drop down and we’ll let you know.

Relevant studies

The information in our comprehensive A to Z encyclopedia comes from real scientific studies.

Uncover the detailed results of these studies and find out how effective medical marijuana is for dozens of conditions.