Chronic pain can affect everyday life, sleep, movement, work, and overall well-being. People who have ongoing pain sometimes explore different treatment approaches when standard options do not provide enough relief. One area that has received increasing research attention is medical cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicines.
But can medical cannabis actually help with chronic pain?
The answer is not simply yes or no. Research suggests that some cannabis-based treatments may provide modest pain relief for certain people, particularly those with some types of neuropathic pain. At the same time, studies have found side effects, and the evidence is not equally strong for every type of pain or cannabis product.
Understanding what research shows can help people have more informed conversations with healthcare professionals.
What Is Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis refers to cannabis or cannabinoid-based products used for health-related purposes. Cannabis contains many chemical compounds called cannabinoids. The two best-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
THC is the cannabinoid primarily associated with the intoxicating effects of cannabis. CBD does not produce the same intoxicating effects as THC.
It is important to understand that the cannabis plant itself has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating medical conditions. However, the FDA has approved specific cannabinoid medicines for certain uses, including purified CBD for particular rare seizure disorders and synthetic cannabinoid medicines for specific conditions.
This distinction matters because research on a specific prescription cannabinoid medicine does not automatically mean that every cannabis product will have the same effect.
Can Medical Cannabis Help With Chronic Pain?
Research has examined cannabis and cannabinoids for several types of chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain, which occurs when nerves are damaged or affected.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, studies suggest that cannabis or cannabinoids may provide a small benefit for some people with chronic pain. However, the difference between cannabinoid treatments and placebo has sometimes been small, and adverse effects have been more common with cannabinoids.
Some research has also looked at oral and sublingual cannabinoid products containing different proportions of THC and CBD. NCCIH notes that certain formulations may reduce chronic pain over the short term, while dizziness and sleepiness are among the possible side effects. There is less information about many other formulations and about long-term use.
Therefore, medical cannabis should not be viewed as a guaranteed solution for chronic pain. Its potential usefulness depends on the type of pain, the product being studied, the person's health circumstances, and the balance between possible benefits and risks.
What Types of Pain Have Been Studied?
Researchers have investigated cannabinoids for several forms of chronic pain.
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain develops when nerves are damaged or affected. It can feel like burning, tingling, shooting, stabbing, or electric-like pain.
Cannabinoid-based medicines have been studied for neuropathic pain, and some studies have reported improvements. However, the quality and consistency of evidence vary between studies.
Musculoskeletal pain
Musculoskeletal pain can involve the muscles, joints, bones, or surrounding tissues. Research into cannabis for different musculoskeletal conditions is ongoing, and results are not consistent enough to suggest that cannabis is an established treatment for all forms of musculoskeletal pain.
Chronic pain associated with other conditions
Cannabinoids have also been studied in people whose chronic pain occurs alongside conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Research suggests that certain cannabinoid medicines may help some MS-related symptoms, particularly patient-reported spasticity and pain, although findings vary depending on the treatment and outcome measured.
How Might Cannabis Affect Pain?
Scientists are still studying exactly how cannabinoids influence pain.
The human body has an endocannabinoid system involved in several physiological processes. Cannabinoids can interact with this system and may influence how pain signals and other sensations are processed.
However, pain is complex. It involves physical signals as well as emotional, neurological, and psychological factors. This means that reducing the unpleasantness of pain is not necessarily the same as eliminating the underlying cause.
Researchers are continuing to investigate THC, CBD, minor cannabinoids, and terpenes to better understand their potential roles in pain management. NCCIH-supported research specifically includes studies examining the possible pain-relieving properties of minor cannabinoids and terpenes.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Medical cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicines can cause unwanted effects.
Depending on the product and individual, possible effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Changes in attention or coordination
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Changes in alertness
CBD can also interact with certain medications and has been associated with liver-related concerns in some research. Over-the-counter CBD products may also differ from their labels in terms of cannabinoid content and may contain contaminants.
These factors make it important to discuss cannabis or cannabinoid use with a healthcare professional, particularly if you take prescription medications or have an existing medical condition
Sign in to leave a comment.