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Medical Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain

  • Neuropathic Pain (E Eisenberg, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Many cultures throughout history have used cannabis to treat a variety of painful ailments. Neuropathic pain is a complicated condition that is challenging to treat with our current medications. Recent scientific discovery has elucidated the intricate role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. As societal perceptions change, and legislation on medical cannabis relaxes, there is growing interest in the use of medical cannabis for neuropathic pain.

Recent Findings

We examined current basic scientific research and data from recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating medical cannabis for the treatment of neuropathic pain. These studies involved patients with diverse etiologies of neuropathic pain and included medical cannabis with different THC concentrations and routes of administration. Multiple RCTs demonstrated efficacy of medical cannabis for treating neuropathic pain, with number needed to treat (NNT) values similar to current pharmacotherapies.

Summary

Although limited by small sample sizes and short duration of study, the evidence appears to support the safety and efficacy of short-term, low-dose cannabis vaporization and oral mucosal delivery for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The results suggest medical cannabis may be as tolerable and effective as current neuropathic agents; however, more studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of medical cannabis use. Furthermore, continued research to optimize dosing, cannabinoid ratios, and alternate routes of administration may help to refine the therapeutic role of medical cannabis for neuropathic pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Pain Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Drive, Mail Code 7651, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Gemayel Lee, Brittany Grovey, Tim Furnish & Mark Wallace

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  1. Gemayel Lee
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  2. Brittany Grovey
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  3. Tim Furnish
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  4. Mark Wallace
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Correspondence to Gemayel Lee.

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Gemayel Lee, Brittany Grovey, Tim Furnish, and Mark Wallace declare no conflict of interest.

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All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neuropathic Pain

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Lee, G., Grovey, B., Furnish, T. et al. Medical Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep 22, 8 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0658-8

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