The clinical use of cannabinoids for pain

Abstract

Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes more than millennia., further research concerning the potential applications of medicinal cannabis has gained considerable momentum in the medical community. Among the several cannabinoids produced by cannabis leaves, the most notable compounds include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which act on the endocannabinoid system and play significant physiological roles, such as pain regulation. This manuscript reviews the current knowledge and provides medical evidence about the analgesic potential of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain management. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, COCHRANE, SCIELO and LILACS. Only randomized controlled trials published within six years were selected. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria for the present review. All nine RCTs reported a significant difference in the reduction in pain intensity; however, only five of the studies reported a significant reduction in pain. The presence of mild-to-moderate adverse events was greater in the intervention groups than in the control group, but these adverse events were well tolerated. The difference in opioid use and other analgesic drugs between the intervention group and the placebo group was not statistically significant. Cannabis-derived compounds promote beneficial effects when administered into patients with chronic pain.