Is cannabis effective against pain?

The main reason for using medical marijuana in countries where it is legal is pain relief. And according to the Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), it makes a lot of sense. One of the main conclusions of their latest report is that there is «substantial or conclusive evidence» that cannabis or cannabinoids are an effective treatment for chronic pain.

How cannabis can help

Pain is a complex phenomenon. Subjective and personal, it is difficult to measure accurately. This difficulty stems from the fact that pain is generated by our brains, and that everyone reacts differently to these stimuli.

This is also why there are various ways of treating pain. Anti-inflammatories, for example, reduce inflammation by blocking the chemicals the body creates in response. Opiates bind to opioid receptors to block the sensation of pain. And cannabis and its cannabinoids act on the body's immune system. endocannabinoid system and soothe the pain. But how? The exact mechanism is not yet fully understood.

THC and CBD against pain

A clinical review in 2015 shows the benefits and therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) to combat pain: anti-convulsant, relaxing, euphoric and anti-inflammatory properties. Treatment with CBD is effective against chronic pain, and will be more effective for cramps, for example.

In addition, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is not negligible either, and also has pain-relieving properties. THC, for its part, will be effective against pain if the variety of cannabis consumed contains a lot of it.

The two cannabinoids work best together, in what is known as the the entourage effect. In other words, the CBD and THC work synergistically and stimulate each other's therapeutic effects.

For chronic pain, sativa varieties are used more for neuropathic pain and migraines. CBD-rich varieties are more effective during the day. And cannabinoids aren't the only active ingredients. Terpenes also play an important role. So, theoretically, a variety with a lot of scent will be more effective.

The effectiveness of cannabis against pain will obviously depend on the individual, his or her morphology, the type of pain and its intensity. Cannabis acts differently from one person to another, which is why doctors recommend try out different varieties and test the one best suited to patients. Dosage is also important.

Mehdi Bautier