Cannabis has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including pain. Recent studies have focused on two of the main components of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), to determine their effectiveness in relieving chronic pain. While research is still ongoing, evidence suggests that a combination of CBD and THC may be the most effective way to reduce neuropathic pain. Additionally, cannabis strains with higher levels of THC have been found to be more effective in reducing pain than those with lower levels.
People with chronic musculoskeletal pain are increasingly turning to cannabis products to alleviate their symptoms. Studies have shown that treatments such as an oromucosal spray with a combination of plant-based THC and CBD, nabilone, inhaled herbal cannabis and plant-based THC can reduce pain and improve sleep. However, more research is needed to determine the best strains, doses and methods of administration for different types of pain. The interaction between cannabis compounds and receptors in the body could help to develop new agents for the treatment of painful conditions.
Meanwhile, THC has been shown to alleviate central and neuropathic pain, as well as pain caused by cancer, AIDS and fibromyalgia. Ideally, patients being considered for treatment with cannabis should have a type of neuropathic pain that responds to cannabis, as well as evidence that first-line treatments have failed. If you're interested in trying CBD or THC to control pain, talk to your doctor and experiment to see if either (or both) can ease your symptoms. The application of DH-CBD appears to be the most effective way to suppress hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain in conditions of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
