Nociceptive pain (i.e., inflammatory pain) results from tissue damage. It is subjectively described as sharp, aching or throbbing pain that follows physical injury. When you get wounded, the damaged tissues recruit numerous inflammatory and immune cells to repair the damage. These cells release proteins and chemicals that activate receptors on nerves that make their way into the spinal cord and up to the brain, causing the sensation of pain.
Nociceptive pain can be weakened by reducing the pain signals at the site of injury by blocking the inflammatory process itself or the signals they elicit. Another strategy is to dampen their effects as they make their way up the spinal cord to the brain. Cannabinoids target both of these processes to reduce pain.
The Abundant Cannabinoids in Cannabis including THC and CBD and their Impact on Pain At The Site Of Injury.
Both show anti-inflammatory properties. THC’s anti-inflammatory properties are primarily driven through the activation of CB2 receptors on immune cells which dampen the body’s pain-inducing response to injury. CBD could also work to reduce inflammation by blocking inflammatory mediators and shifting the activated macrophage repair cells from the pro-inflammatory type to the anti-inflammatory type.
Indeed, in rodent models of inflammation, the benefits of THC and CBD for relieving nociceptive pain have been well-documented and in human clinical trials.
Research suggests that Cannabis assists in pain management, but pain can arise for a variety of reasons and therefore often makes choosing the right cannabis product a little tricky.
Knowing which cannabinoids (e.g. THC, CBD) have been used for different pain types is useful information.
The different types of pain fall into three general categories
Now, let’s turn our attention to recent research studies regarding cannabis and the cannabinoids CBD and THC vs opioids in the treatment of pain…Â
Israeli researchers found cannabis gave substantial pain relief to more than half of 1,200 cancer patients who used it for 6 months. In a review of 16 published studies including more than 1,700 participants with chronic nerve pain.
German researchers found that cannabis-based remedies increased the number of people who reported a 50% or more reduction in pain relief. But they also concluded that the risks may outweigh the benefits. People taking cannabis-based remedies were more likely to have sleepiness, dizziness, and confusion.Â
In a small study of 47 patients with Parkinson’s disease, Israeli researchers found a 27% improvement in pain with cannabis use. Medical cannabis helped to ease the pain in 26 patients with fibromyalgia, a condition in which the body has ”tender” points. Half the patients stopped taking any other medicines for fibromyalgia, but 30% did have mild side effects.
A study from the European Academy of Neurology found that cannabinoids given at various doses eased pain experienced migraine patients by 40% or more. CBD helped cut pain in people with cluster headaches, too, but only if the patient had a history of childhood migraines.
cannabis and cannabinoids may have modest effects on the pain and muscle spasticity that come with multiple sclerosis, according to an Australian review that looked at 32 studies.
Some research suggests that cannabis could take the place of opioids. Two recent studies found that states with medical cannabis laws or legalized recreational use may have a decline in opioid prescriptions.
In another study, researchers polled nearly 3,000 medical cannabis patients, including about a third who said they had used opioid pain medicines in the past 6 months. Most said the cannabis provided relief equal to their other medications, but without the side effects.
While 97% said they were able to lower the amount of opioids they took if they also took cannabis, 81% said that taking cannabis alone was more effective.
