Chat Up: How Patients Talk About Cannabis Online

Ever wondered how people discuss cannabis use with their doctors online? Patient portals, those secure messaging platforms connected to your health records, offer a space for patients to chat about their health habits. But how often do cannabis conversations happen there? Not much is known about this, so let's dive in. People might feel more comfortable sharing personal stuff, like cannabis use, through a secure message rather than face-to-face. This could give doctors a clearer picture of a patient's health behaviors, which might not be captured in regular health records.Researchers looked into these online chats to see what's going on. They found that cannabis was mentioned in a small number of messages. This could mean a few things. Maybe people aren't comfortable discussing it, or maybe they're not using the portal much, or maybe doctors aren't asking about it. It's also interesting to note that when cannabis was discussed, it was often brought up by the patient, not the doctor. This suggests that patients are taking the initiative to share this info. But it also raises the question: Should doctors be asking about it more? After all, cannabis use can affect a person's health in various ways, and it's important for doctors to have the full story. So, the next time you're chatting with your doc online, remember, it's okay to talk about all aspects of your health, including cannabis.