Review of Studies on Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain

A recently published study examined data on the use of cannabinoids, mainly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), for neuropathic pain relief and the effect on patients’ quality of life. The study, “Cannabinoids as a Natural Alternative for the Management of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials,” was published September 23, 2024, in Cureus.

Researchers examined data from studies published between January 1, 2000 and August 31, 2024 in PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Turning research into practice (Trip), and Google Scholar. After applying exclusionary criteria, five articles were ultimately selected to be examined. For data synthesis, bouble-blinded and placebo-controlled clinical trials were also included.

The researchers summarized the five studies, noting the doses, methods of ingestion, and results. As summarized in the abstract, the main findings included: “Compared to placebo, cannabinoids provided significant relief from chronic pain (33% vs 15%) as measured by the visual analog scale. The transdermal application of CBD led to a more pronounced reduction in sharp pain, according to the neuropathic pain scale. Minimal to no side effects were recorded, further highlighting the potential benefits of cannabinoids.”

The study also discussed the potential for cannabinoids as an alternative to the commonly used drugs to treat neuropathic pain, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, which are estimated to reduce 50% of pain in a third of patients, and can carry concerns of severe adverse effects or the capacity to be habit-forming. The researchers cited stigma and uncertain legal status surrounding cannabinoids as a reason for the lack of extensive data on their use for pain management, and the lack of data contributes to hesitation of recommendation. They concluded by noting the need of more data on the long-term effects and interactions of cannabinoids, and by suggesting further studies be conducted with larger sample sizes with more diverse populations of participants.

Reference

1. Reechaye D.; Perrine A.; Jahajeeah Y.; Dookhee, F.; Robinson, J.; Banerjee, I. Cannabinoids as a Natural Alternative for the Management of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. Cureus 16(9). DOI:10.7759/cureus.70021