Smoked cannabis relieves chronic pain

Aug 30, 2010 |

Washington

Smoked cannabis provides relief to patients suffering from chronic pain, improves mood and helps sleep, according to a new research. Oral cannabinoids have shown success in treating some types of pain but may differ in effect and risks from smoked cannabis.

Patients reported better sleep quality as the THC content increased. Anxiety and depression also decreased in the 9.4 per cent THC group compared with the placebo group.

"We found that 25 mg herbal cannabis with 9.4 per cent THC, administered as a single smoked inhalation three times daily for five days, significantly reduces average pain intensity compared with a 0 per cent THC cannabis placebo in adult subjects with chronic post traumatic/post surgical neuropathic pain," said Dr. Mark Ware of McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).

The study is one of the few on smoked cannabis and neuropathic pain. The authors recommend more studies with higher potencies of THC, longer duration of follow-up and flexible dosing. Long-term safety studies of smoked cannabis for medical purposes are also needed.

The research is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

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