Tikun Olam is a proud pioneer and global leader in medical cannabis research. Rooted in Israel’s regulatory environment, our team of scientists have conducted cannabis studies and clinical trials for more than a decade, achieving outstanding results and amassing one of the world’s largest cannabis treatment databases of currently more than 20,000 patients.
Through extensive research and development, Tikun’s proprietary strains have been genetically optimized and clinically proven to provide symptomatic relief for a wide variety of ailments, including Crohn’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, autism, cancer, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and more.
Clinical successes have encouraged Tikun to devote more resources to further improve the safety and efficacy of its products, as well as it’s understanding of the therapeutic properties of the cannabis plant. Tikun continually conduct laboratory studies (both in vitro and in vivo), retrospective analyses, and clinical trials, and works diligently to follow-up
with patients.
Below is an outline of medical cannabis research as of February 2022.
[The Israel Medical Association Journal, 2011;13(8):455-8]
This retrospective study observed cannabis as treatment for Crohn’s Disease and found that cannabis use resulted in significant positive effects on the symptoms of the disease (number of bowel movements, quality of bowel activity, abdominal pain, and other complications)
Study Population: 30 patients with Crohn’s Disease
Strain Used: Erez
• 21 of the 30 patients improved significantly with cannabis treatment
• The average Harvey Bradshaw Index improved from 14 ± 6.7 to 7 ± 4.7 (p<.00 1); the index measures general well-being, abdominal pain, number of liquid stools per day, abdominal mass, and related complications
• The mean number of bowel movements decreased from 8 to 5 per day
• The need for other medication was significantly reduced; most notably, the number of patients needing steroid treatment reduced from 26 to 4
• Only 2 of 15 patients who had surgery prior to cannabis treatment needed additional surgery during treatment
• 18.1% of patients stopped using opioid analgesics or reduced their dose
[Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2013;11(10):1276-80]
In the world’s first randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of its kind, Dr. Naftali and a team of researchers used Tikun Olam’s Erez strain to produce dramatic results, with 45% of Crohn’s patients achieving “complete remission” and over 90% achieving substantial improvement – with no side effects witnessed.
Study Population: 21 patients with Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores greater than 200, who did not respond to therapy with steroids, immune-modulators, or anti-tumor agents; 11 of the patients were in the cannabis treatment study group, 10 were in the placebo control group.
Strain Used: Erez
[Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis 2021;15(11):1799-1806]
Study participants underwent an eight-week follow-up in which each participant received Avidekel or placebo oil and an additional two weeks of wash-up to see what happens during consumption cessation, a total of ten weeks of follow-up.
During the study, patients attended four visits and were evaluated by medical interview, physical examination, blood and stool tests. In addition, a colonoscopy was performed before the start of cannabis treatment and at the end of eight weeks of treatment.
Study Population: 56 patients with Crohn’s disease (30 males, mean age 34.5).
Study Product: Avidekel oil with 16% CBD and 4% THC VS placebo (46% of patients received placebo).
[Digestive Diseases 2014;32(4):468-74]
A retrospective study analyzing the effect CBD-enriched cannabis oil had on children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy, being treated at four epilepsy centers in Israel.
[European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2019;31(11):1376-1381]
Inflammatory bowel diseases (mainly Crohn’s and colitis) are chronic, debilitating, non-infectious, inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. Conventional treatment consists of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs. However, the rate of response to currently available treatments is limited to 40–60%, and many patients remain symptomatic despite maximal medical treatment. This study, conducted in collaboration with the Gastroenterology Unit at Meir Medical Center, is a large-scale, long-term study that included data on patients licensed to treat medical cannabis with inflammatory bowel disease to determine the effect of cannabis on disease symptoms on long-term treatment as well as side effects. Most patients reported significant improvement in their symptoms and the use of other medications after 1 year of cannabis consumption was significantly reduced.
Study Population: 127 Crohn’s and colitis patients who received a license for use of medical cannabis (86 males, mean age 39.6)
Strain Used: Half of the patients in the study received the company’s products regularly.
During the study period, 127 patients received a license to use medical cannabis and entered the study.
[Pharmacology & Pharmacy 2015;6(2):75-85]
This laboratory study was conducted on rodents to examine the effect of full-plant cannabis extract on inflammation and pain, in comparison with isolated CBD and commercial anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive drugs. Isolated CBD has been shown to have a bell-shaped dose-response, where healing is only observed within a very limited dose range, with no additional beneficial effect achieved at lower or higher doses. This trait of purified CBD poses challenges to clinical use; thus, this study aimed to find a CBD source that eliminates the bell-shaped dose response – and succeeded with Avidekel.
Study Population: Lab mice
Strain Used: Avidekel
[Seizure 2016;35:41-44]
A retrospective study analyzing the effect CBD-enriched cannabis oil had on children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy, being treated at four epilepsy centers in Israel.
Study Population: 74 children with intractable epilepsy (between the ages of 1-18, half of them under the age of 10) with intractable epilepsy, resistant to 5-7 antiepileptic drugs
Strains used: About half of the patients in the study received the company’s products regularly
(CBD-enriched, mostly Avidekel 30%).
[Clinical Pharmacology 2017;40(6):268-272]
A retrospective questionnaire-based survey that examined the eects of cannabis on the motor and non-motor symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s Disease. The mean age of the patients was 64.2 ± 10.8 years, the mean disease duration was 10.8 ± 8.3 years, and the duration of cannabis use was 19.l ± 17 months.
Study Population: 47 patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Strains used: Various medical cannabis strainsp
[European Journal of Internal Medicine 2018;49:44-50 ]
A prospective study that analyzed the use of cannabis treatment in the elderly, measuring for pain intensity, quality of life, and adverse effects at six months follow-up. The most common indications for cannabis treatment were pain (66.6%) and cancer (60.8%). The study found that the therapeutic use of cannabis is safe and efficacious in the elderly population.
Study Population: 2,736 patients aged 65+; at 6 months, 901 patients were eligible for follow-up and completed the survey
Strains used: Erez. Alaska. Avidekel
[European Journal of Internal Medicine 2018;49:37-43]
A study analyzing the data routinely collected as part of the treatment program of cancer patients treated with medical cannabis between 2015 and 2017. The cancer types included breast (20.7%), lung (13.6%), pancreatic (8.1%) and colorectal (7.9%); with 51.2% of patients at Stage 4. The main symptoms requiring therapy were sleep problems (78.4%), pain (77.7%; median intensity 8/10), weakness (72.7%), nausea (64.6%) and lack of appetite (48.9%).
Study Population:2,970 cancer patients; after six months of treatment, 1,211 patients were eligible for follow-up and responded to the questionnaire
Strain Used: Midnight, Avidekel, and other THC-rich Tikun Olam strains
[Journal of Child Neurology 2018;33(9):565-571]
A clinical random trial examining the effects of Avidekel oil on dystonia and spasticity in children who sufer from cerebral palsy or genetic impairment. Most participants reported significant improvement in spasticity and dystonia, sleep difficulties, pain severity, and quality of life.
Study Population: 20 patients with complex motor disorders (primarily cerebral palsy)
Strains used: Avidekel. Tested at 6:1 and 20:1 CBD:THC ratiosp
[Inflammopharmacology 2019;27(1):167-173]
A study comparing the efficacy of purified CBD, extracts of CBD-rich Avidekel and Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), an immunosuppressive medication that is used to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Study Population: Lab mice
Strains used: Avidekel
[Parkinsonism and Related Disorders 2019;61:211-13]
A study conducted to assess the response and benefits of using cannabis to treat Tourette Syndrome.
Study Population: 42 patients with Tourette Syndrome
Strains used: Erez
[Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2019;49(3):1284-1288]
A retrospective study assessing the tolerability and ecacy of CBD-rich cannabis in children with ASD.
Study Population: 60 children with ASD and severe behavioral problems
Strains used: Avidekel, at a 20:1 CBD:THC ratio
after at least 3 months of cannabis treatment
[Scientific Reports 2019;9(1):200]
An observational study assessing the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), analyzing the change in symptoms after six months of using our CBD-rich Avidekel cannabis oil.
Study Population: 188 children with ASD; 93 completed the follow-up survey at six months
Strains used: Avidekel, at a 20:1 CBD:THC ratio
[Frontiers in Pharmacology 2019;9:1521]
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly exhibit comorbid symptoms such as aggression, hyperactivity and anxiety. Several studies are being conducted worldwide on cannabidiol use in ASD; however, these studies are still ongoing, and data on the effects of its use is very limited. After obtaining a license from the Israeli Ministry of Health, parents of children with ASD were instructed by a nurse practitioner how to administer oral drops of cannabidiol oil. The aim of this study, conducted in collaboration with the Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, was to examine prospectively the safety characteristics and the changes in symptoms by a bi-weekly questionnaire. Parents’ reports suggest that cannabidiol may improve ASD comorbidity symptoms.
Study Population: 53 children diagnosed with ASD (45 boys, mean age 11).
Strain Used: Avidekel 20:1 30% CBD and Erez 3% THC extracts.
[Journal of Clinical Medicine 2019;8(6):807]
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly exhibit comorbid symptoms such as aggression, hyperactivity and anxiety. Several studies are being conducted worldwide on cannabidiol use in ASD; however, these studies are still ongoing, and data on the effects of its use is very limited. After obtaining a license from the Israeli Ministry of Health, parents of children with ASD were instructed by a nurse practitioner how to administer oral drops of cannabidiol oil. The aim of this study, conducted in collaboration with the Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, was to examine prospectively the safety characteristics and the changes in symptoms by a bi-weekly questionnaire. Parents’ reports suggest that cannabidiol may improve ASD comorbidity symptoms.
Study Population: 53 children diagnosed with ASD (45 boys, mean age 11).
Strain Used: Avidekel 20:1 30% CBD and Erez 3% THC extracts.
[PLoS One 2021;16(2):e0246871]
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the large intestine. The disease poses a significant personal and socioeconomic burden due to its effects on patients’ quality of life, daily functioning and use of healthcare system. The most common symptoms in colitis patients are: multiple bowel movements, severe abdominal pain and blood in the stool. The current treatment carries many long-term risks including malignancies, infections, and decreased bone density. Therefore, it is not surprising that many patients with colitis seek alternative treatments for their illnesses. A common such alternative treatment is the use of cannabis. However, clinical studies in the field are lacking. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted in collaboration with Meir Medical Center, was to evaluate the effect of medical cannabis on the clinical condition of ulcerative colitis patients. Cannabis treatment induced clinical remission and improved quality of life in patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis.
Study Population: 32 patients with ulcerative colitis (18 males, mean age 30).
Study Product: Erez rolls compared to placebo (47% of patients received placebo).
[Frontiers in Medicine 2022;9(Article 827849)]
A prospective study investigating the adherence, safety, and effectiveness of patients to medical cannabis.
Study Population: ~10.000 patients with cancer (49.1%), non-specific pain (29.3%) etc
Strains used: Erez, Alaska, Avidekel