Low-Dose Cannabis Extracts Could Help Pain Patients
Chronic pain is one of the most common and serious health conditions around the world. International researchers estimate that as many as 20% of adults suffer from chronic pain globally, and that percentage could rise in the future with more adults being diagnosed every year.
Common treatments for pain include over-the-counter medications, prescription pharmaceutical painkillers, and, in more extreme cases of chronic pain, injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation.
The potential side effects of the previously listed pain management options are numerous, including but not limited to: constipation, breathing issues, nausea, chest pains, drowsiness, diarrhea, headaches, and even death. Many pharmaceutical painkillers are very addictive.
A team of researchers affiliated with various academic and health institutions based in Argentina and Ecuador recently examined low-dose cannabis extracts as a treatment for chronic pain. Their findings were published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.
“The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of full-spectrum cannabis (THC and CBD) extracts as adjuvants in the treatment of chronic pain.” the researchers wrote. “This is a prospective, open label, longitudinal study. Major cannabinoids were analyzed in herbal preparations using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subjects were included when chronic pain diagnosis criteria was met according to physicians’ diagnosis.”
“A patient stratification protocol was developed using a visual analogue scale to measure pain, a numerical scale for life quality parameters and a self-administered health survey. Eighty-eight patients aged between 35 and 88 years were included.” the researchers stated about their methodology.
“A significant decrease in both pain and other life quality parameters was observed between time zero and subsequent time intervals, excepting the “appetite” variable. Overall, 51 individuals reported a decrease in pain, 38 a decrease in anxiety and 48 in insomnia, with “decrease” defined as symptom reduction of 50% or more between the first and last consultation. In addition, 23 subjects reduced or discontinued other analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs during the trial.” the researchers found.
“Adverse effects were mild and reversible. These results are consistent with previous studies, supporting effectiveness and safety of cannabis extracts as adjuvants in the treatment of chronic pain.” the researchers concluded.
