Introduction
I’m a big proponent of cannabis. I’ve been using it for decades to treat depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia. But the evidence isn’t there yet when it comes to using cannabis to treat chronic pain โ precisely the kind caused by neuropathy. Unfortunately, the science isn’t there yet. Most studies about cannabinoids are done with rodents or in vitro (meaning they’re performed on cells outside of a living organism), not humans. Some small-scale human trials on mice and rats show promise, but none have been conducted on humans yet . Which means we don’t know if CBD will work as well in people as it does in animal models.
CBD might work for chronic pain, but science needs to catch up.
CBD is a promising compound that needs more research. It’s unclear if it will work for you and your chronic pain, but it may be worth trying if it does.
CBD is not a cure for cancer. It’s not a cure for any disease at all. CBD won’t help you eliminate your chronic pain forever โ no supplement can do that. However, CBD might help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. So that you can enjoy things like eating dinner with friends or taking a walk around the block without worrying about extreme pain afterward.
People are using CBD to treat chronic pain.
You’ve probably heard that CBD is being used to treat chronic pain. According to a recent survey by the National Pain Foundation, nearly half of people who use CBD report that they do so to ease their chronic pain.
There are several reasons why this is happening:
- It’s natural, which means it has fewer side effects than prescription medications.
- It’s not addictive, so it doesn’t lead to opioid dependence or tolerance (although some studies have found evidence of withdrawal symptoms).
Anecdotes don’t equal evidence.
You only need to know about anecdotes because they are not evidence. They can be misleading and biased, but they’re not scientific studies. Stories do not constitute scientific evidence. And just because something worked for someone doesn’t mean it will work for you (or anyone else).
This is why I don’t believe in anecdotal evidence. So many people have tried CBD Oil and found it didn’t help them or worsen their symptoms. Still, this side of the story isn’t being told because those people don’t want to share their experiences publicly. And why would they? It’s hard enough admitting that something didn’t work as expected. Imagine what might happen if a negative anecdote were shared on social media where everyone could see it.
Research is limited, but early signs look promising.
CBD is a promising treatment for chronic pain, but there is a lack of research on CBD. For instance, no human trials have been done to examine how well it works in humans.
In mice and rats with neuropathic pain (usually caused by nerve damage), CBD has been shown to reduce both the intensity and duration of their symptoms. The FDA-approved drugs for treating neuropathic pain include gabapentin (Neurontinยฎ) and pregabalin (Lyricaยฎ). However, these drugs can cause side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness or drowsiness. And when taken long-term, they may lead to dependence.
A study published in 2011 found that cannabinoids (including tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] from cannabis) could act as “cannabinoidergic” agents against inflammation-induced hyperalgesia–a heightened sensitivity to painful stimuli–in rats with arthritis
Even though there are no trials of large-scale human subjects yet, the mechanisms of how CBD could be effective for neuropathic pain are well-researched in animal models.
One of the most common claims about CBD is that it can help with chronic pain. However, it’s not just anecdotal evidenceโmany studies on rats and mice show CBD reduces inflammation. Which is known to be part of what causes neuropathic pain. Unfortunately, there aren’t any large-scale human trials yet to back this up. But scientists have been studying how CBD affects inflammation in animal models since the 1970s.
In these studies, scientists observed a reduction in chronic inflammatory diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis by giving animals a high dose of CBD (and sometimes THC). When they shared the same amount of THC without any active cannabinoids alongside it. There was no effect on inflammation whatsoever! This suggests that different components in marijuana could work together at lower doses to treat pain. Instead of just one element acting alone at higher doses (like opioids do). Large-scale human trials are needed before anyone can say whether or not cannabis will work for your particular condition. However, if you’re interested in trying it out yourself, then here’s how:
The case for CBD for neuropathic pain is compelling.
CBD is a cannabinoid that is derived from cannabis. Unlike THC, it doesn’t produce psychoactive effects. So you won’t get high from using CBD. It’s safe and has few side effects.
The case for CBD as a treatment for neuropathic pain is compelling. Because it’s non-psychoactive and reduces inflammation by modulating the immune system and multiple targets within the brain.
But we still need more human trials โ until then, people should be cautious about claiming the compound’s efficacy.
Although the research is compelling, it still needs to be taken with a grain of salt. “There are so many different studies out there that show different things,” says Bright. “We need more [humans] trials for us to say conclusively what the effects will be.”
Additionally, much of the existing research has focused on cannabinoids as a treatment for pain in animals โ not humans. It’s also important to note that we don’t yet know how CBD interacts with other medications (e.g., painkillers).
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD may make an effective treatment one day, but that day isn’t here yet.
In the meantime, it’s safe to say that there’s no real consensus on whether or not cannabis is effective as a treatment for pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications made from the plant. Most notably, dronabinol and nabilone. But those drugs are only intended for cancer patients who have severe nausea or vomiting due to chemotherapy.
Cannabis advocates say that when you look at studies more closely. You’ll find evidence that marijuana does have real therapeutic value. They’re right about some things. Some compelling research shows that cannabinoids like THC and CBD may make an effective treatment one day. But that day isn’t here yet.
Cannabis and its chemical compounds are understudied as a potential to treat chronic pain, and more trials must be done before any conclusions can be reached.
CBD is a compound in cannabis with health benefits. But more research is needed. It’s not even clear whether CBD is effective at treating chronic pain.
It may be helpful for some people who have tried other pain medications and had no success. But many people find that their symptoms are better treated with other drugs or medical devices.
CBD is not addictiveโthe body doesn’t build up a tolerance to it the way it does with opioids.ย So you can take as much as you like without worrying about becoming dependent on it.
Conclusion
Overall, the evidence is promising but preliminary. We’re excited about the potential for CBD, but we need more research to say whether it’s effective for chronic pain.
