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Cannabinoids and Pain Management: an Insight into Recent Advancements

  • Pain Management (S Mace, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review discusses the recent advancements in research on Cannabinoids’ role in pain, including its use in cancer pain, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, headache, visceral pain, postoperative and failed back pain management, and concurrent use with opioids.

Recent Findings

Current research suggests that a potential role exists for medical cannabis in pain management, although research shows varied effectiveness by the type of pain. Moreover, its coadministration with opioids may result in reduced opioid requirements.

Summary

Patients with neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and migraine headache may benefit from the analgesic effects of a cannabis-based medicine (CBM), but not necessarily patients with chronic abdominal pain. Equivocal results were shown in fibromyalgia and postoperative orthopedic pain. Interestingly, the opioid-sparing properties of CBM make it an attractive option for pain management. However, the scale and quality of studies conducted are limited. Further research is necessary to establish recommendation guidelines for medical cannabis in pain management.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    Amna Shaikh & Sarah Money

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  1. Amna Shaikh
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Correspondence to Amna Shaikh.

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Amna Shaikh and Sarah Money declare no conflict of interest.

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Shaikh, A., Money, S. Cannabinoids and Pain Management: an Insight into Recent Advancements. Curr Emerg Hosp Med Rep 7, 208–213 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40138-019-00199-w

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