According to a new study, regular cannabis use has been linked to reduced pain and improved cognition in cancer patients. It was likewise found to be beneficial for individuals receiving chemotherapy. While this may seem contrary to the long-held belief that cannabis causes cognitive impairment, this side effect was found to be temporary.

According to the University of Colorado study, patients who use cannabis over a period of two weeks reported that their thinking actually began to clear. This was quite an unexpected result as many of the researchers anticipated cognitive function issues.

However, according to Angela Bryan, one of the researchers, “People actually felt like they were thinking more clearly. It was a surprise”. Many of the study’s participants also reported that their sleep quality had improved. Additionally, many also reported that the pain associated with chemotherapy and cancer had been reduced.

For the study, the participants were able to choose from a range of edibles sourced from dispensaries in Colorado.

These included gummies, baked goods, and cannabis-infused tinctures. This differs from other studies whose patients are limited to pharmaceutical-grade cannabis grown at sources that have been federally authorized. These strains tend to be low in THC and other potentially beneficial cannabinoids.

Therefore lawmakers have been pushing for changes that would allow researchers to source their cannabis from dispensaries as well. This practice is still mostly restricted as cannabis is still federally prohibited. This means that participants currently have to source their own cannabis from dispensaries and report back on their experiences.