Cannabis Use For Chronic Pain

In my many years working with patients to obtain their medical cannabis card the #1 qualifying condition has been some type of chronic pain. Part of the allure of cannabis is that it is clearly safer than opiates (it is impossible to overdose on and far less addictive) and it can take the place of NSAIDs such as Advil or Aleve, if people can't take them due to problems with their kidneys or ulcers. Medical cannabis has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential therapeutic benefits in managing various types of pain, including chronic pain, arthritic pain, fibromyalgia, and nerve pain. Numerous studies and clinical trials have explored the effectiveness of cannabis and its derivatives, such as cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), in alleviating these types of pain.

1. Chronic Pain:

   • Studies have shown that medical cannabis can be effective in managing chronic pain conditions such as neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain, and pain associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer. The cannabinoids in cannabis, particularly THC and CBD, interact with the body's endocannabinoid system to modulate pain perception and inflammation.

   • A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2015 found moderate-quality evidence to support the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain.

2. Arthritic Pain:

   • Arthritis is a common condition causing joint inflammation and pain. Research suggests that cannabis-based medicines can help reduce pain and improve function in patients with arthritis. Both THC and CBD have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making them potential candidates for arthritis management.

   • A study published in the Journal of Pain in 2016 found that a combination of THC and CBD extract significantly reduced arthritis-related pain and improved sleep quality in patients.

3. Fibromyalgia:

   • Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and mood disturbances. Patients with fibromyalgia often struggle to find effective pain relief with traditional medications.

   • A study in 2019 from the Journal of Clinical Medicine showed that medical marijuana might help with fibromyalgia. It could be a good option for treatment when regular medicines don't work well. The study found that using marijuana slowly and carefully was effective and safe for patients.

4. Nerve Pain (Neuropathic Pain):

   • Neuropathic pain results from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system and is often challenging to treat with conventional pain medications. This is an area where few other options exist, and those that do, such as Neurontin, Lyrica, or opiates are highly sedating. Patients claim that marijuana allows them to resume their previous activities without feeling completely out of it and disengaged. Cannabinoids have shown promise in managing neuropathic pain by targeting cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system and modulating pain signaling.

   • According to a review published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine (2018) available data support the efficacy of smoked or inhaled cannabis in its flower form when used as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for relief of neuropathic pain of various causes. Many studies also report secondary benefits, including better sleep and functional improvement.

It's important to note that while research supports the potential benefits of medical cannabis in pain management, individual responses to cannabis-based treatments can vary. It is always recommended that you speak with your medical provider before embarking on treatment with medical cannabis. ElevateCareNP providers are knowledgeable about cannabis therapeutics and can help you determine appropriate dosing, delivery methods, and potential risks, especially drug-drug interactions. Schedule your medical cannabis certification visit with us today using our convenient scheduler here.

Sources:

Whiting, P., Wolff, R., Deshpande, S., et al. (2015). Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA, 313 (24) 2456-2473.

Boehnke, K. F., & Litinas, E. (2016). Medical Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Opiate Medication Use in a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients With Chronic Pain. The Journal of Pain, 20(6), 640-651.

Modesto-Lowe, V., Bojka, R., Alvarado, C. (2018). Cannabis for peripheral neuropathy: The good, the bad, and the unknown. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 85 (12) 943-949.

Lynch, M. E., & Ware, M. A. (2015). Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: An Updated Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, 10(2), 293-301.

Sagy, I., Schleider, L., Abu-Shakra, M., & Novack, V. (2019). Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis in Fibromyalgia. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(6):807.

The information in this post is intended for educational purposes only. This information neither substitutes for nor replaces professional legal or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No content on this site should ever be regarded as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.