🌿 Cannabis for pain: effective or not after all?

Faced with chronic nerve pain, many people turn to cannabis-based medications, hoping for relief that conventional treatments do not always provide. A recent analysis of available data, however, tempers this hope, indicating that this approach might not be as effective as expected.

These neuropathic pains, linked to nerve damage, are often difficult to treat. Standard medications are not enough for all patients, which explains the interest in other options like cannabis. These products can take various forms, from herbs to creams, and contain various compounds derived from the plant.


To evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments, researchers examined 21 clinical trials involving more than 2,100 adults. These studies compared cannabis-based medications to placebos over periods ranging from two to twenty-six weeks. The tested products were of three main types, containing either THC, CBD, or a mixture of the two compounds.

The results of this systematic review, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, indicate that there is no strong evidence showing that these medications reduce pain better than a placebo. Some patients using products combining THC and CBD reported slight improvements, but these were too small to be considered medically significant.

Regarding tolerance, data on side effects were incomplete and varied from one study to another, making it difficult to assess the safety of these treatments. THC-based products seemed associated with higher rates of dizziness and drowsiness, and more participants stopped the treatment due to adverse effects.

Winfried Häuser, the lead author of the study, indicated that higher-quality research is needed. He explained that future studies should include more participants, last at least twelve weeks, and take into account people with other health problems. For now, the quality of existing trials is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions about the usefulness of these medications for chronic neuropathic pain.

Cannabis compounds: THC and CBD

Cannabis contains many substances, two of which are often used in medicine: THC and CBD. THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the effects associated with recreational use. In contrast, CBD does not cause intoxication and is studied for its potential properties for pain and anxiety.

In cannabis-based medications, these compounds can be present alone or combined. THC acts primarily on the nervous system by binding to specific receptors, which could influence pain perception. CBD, on the other hand, interacts with other receptors and could modulate inflammation and nerve activity.

The effectiveness of these compounds depends on their dosage, method of administration, and individual patient characteristics. For example, inhalation allows for rapid action, while creams or patches act locally. However, current studies do not allow for a clear determination of which combination or dosage would be most beneficial for neuropathic pain.

These products are not standardized, which complicates comparisons between studies. The quality and concentration of the compounds can vary, affecting the observed results and partly explaining the mixed findings of the research.