Cannabis products appear to have \u201cbeneficial effects\u201d for people struggling with the symptoms of chronic pain, according to a new study\u2014 with the results indicating relief from both intoxicating and nonintoxicating cannabinoids.<\/p>\n
Researchers affiliated with the University at Buffalo, University of Michigan Medical School and MoreBetter recruited 64 people with fibromyalgia, 25 with rheumatoid arthritis and 75 with osteoarthritis of the knee and\/or hip to participate in the trial.<\/p>\n
The participants, all of whom were California residents, were randomly assigned to take one of three different cannabinoid products via oral capsule over 12 weeks and report their pain, mental health, cognitive functioning and physical functioning using questionnaires.<\/p>\n
Product 1 contained 12.5 mg cannabidiol (CBD) and 12.5 mg tetrahydrocannabinol. Product 2 had 10 mg tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, 10 mg cannabidiolic acid (CBDa), 5 mg cannabigerol and 3 mg cannabichromene. Product 3 was comprised of 10 mg CBD and 10 mg CBDa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were significant improvements across all symptoms except cognitive function abilities,\u201d the paper, published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics, says. \u201cEffects ranged from small to large, with most not differing in magnitude across product or type of chronic pain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipants reported substantial improvements in sleep quality, mental health conditions, and general quality of life, allowing them to engage more fully in daily activities,\u201d the study found.<\/p>\n
\u201cResults suggest that cannabinoid formulations containing both THC and cannabinoids other than THC (eg, THCa, CBDa, CBC, and CBG) may have positive effects on chronic pain symptoms of various etiologies,\u201d the authors wrote.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cVarious cannabinoid combinations may have therapeutic benefits across 3 different types of chronic pain.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The three separate cannabis capsules that were tested \u201cwere remarkably similar in their effectiveness overall, with nearly identical effects\u201d on most symptoms, the study says. There were, however, differences in effectiveness for sleep disturbance, and participants who took product 2 reported reductions in neuropathic pain intensity.<\/p>\n
The researchers noted in the paper that chronic pain is \u201ca leading cause of seeking medical care\u201d\u2014affecting roughly a third of the world\u2019s population\u2014and that the prevalence is increasing in the U.S. and Canada.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany existing pain medications (eg, opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) provide insufficient relief and are accompanied by adverse effects,\u201d they said, adding that previous research has shown that chronic pain is the most common qualifying condition for participation in state medical marijuana programs in the U.S.<\/p>\n
\u201cCannabis products may serve as an alternative to opioids for pain management, reducing the risk of opioid dependency and adverse effects,\u201d the paper concluded.<\/p>\n
The researchers suggested that, for patients who do not desire to experience a \u201chigh\u201d from cannabis, \u201cnonintoxicating cannabinoids such as CBD and CBDa may provide relief from pain and related symptoms and may be utilized when cannabis intoxication is undesirable or problematic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The overall findings of the new study<\/a> are in line with prior research indicating marijuana\u2019s ability to treat pain and its role as an alternative to prescription opioid medications.<\/p>\n
For example, another recently study found that \u201cmedical cannabis may be a useful adjunct therapy for reducing opioid use<\/a>, relieving chronic pain, and improving health-related quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
A separate recently publish study found that the cannabis component CBG \u201chas anti-inflammatory capacity and therapeutic potential<\/a> in regulating neutrophil-mediated immunity in\u201d rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n
An earlier 2024 study that found, among people with rheumatic conditions such as arthritis, more than 6 in 10 patients who used medical cannabis reported substituting it for other medications, including NSAIDs, opioids, sleep aids and muscle relaxants<\/a>. Most patients further said that the use of marijuana allowed them to reduce or stop using those medications entirely.<\/p>\n
A recent federally funded study found that states that legalize medical or recreational marijuana see \u201csignificant reductions\u201d in opioid overdoses<\/a> among adults with employer-sponsored health insurance\u2014indicating that a \u201csubstitution\u201d effect may be at play.<\/p>\n
another research study found that, as\u00a0opioids continue to drive overdose deaths, making medical cannabis available and affordable\u00a0seems to help patients reduce their use of the prescription painkillers<\/a>.<\/p>\n
That research came on the heels of a\u00a0recent study showing that using medical marijuana appears to help people reduce the use of other medications, including opioids<\/a>, sleeping aids and antidepressants. They also experience far fewer negative side effects after switching to cannabis from prescription drugs, the study involving more than 3,500 patients found.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
About\u00a0one in three Americans who use CBD say they take it as an alternative or supplement to at least one medication<\/a>\u2014particularly painkillers\u2014according to a federally funded study published in February.<\/p>\n
Similarly, another recent federally funded study, published by the American Medical Association (AMA), added more evidence that\u00a0marijuana can serve as an effective substitute for opioids in chronic pain treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Other AMA-published research has found that legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational purposes is\u00a0\u201csignificantly associated with reduced opioid use among patients diagnosed with cancer.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n
A separate paper published in October similarly found that\u00a0medical marijuana legalization is \u201cassociated with significant reductions in opioid prescribing.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n
President Donald Trump said recently that marijuana can \u201cmake people feel much better\u201d<\/a>\u00a0and serve as a \u201csubstitute for addictive and potentially lethal opioid painkillers.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Last month, the Trump administration announced it is\u00a0moving ahead with the federal reclassification of marijuana<\/a>\u00a0by moving state-legal medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).<\/p>\n
The post Cannabis Provides \u2018Significant Improvements\u2019 In Pain For Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis And Osteoarthritis Patients, Study Shows<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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