Use of cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of chronic pain

Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2020 Sep;34(3):463-477. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2020.06.004. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Abstract

Chronic pain can be recurrent or constant pain that lasts for longer than 3 months and can result in disability, suffering, and a physical disturbance. Related to the complex nature of chronic pain, treatments have a pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach. Due to the opioid epidemic, alternative therapies have been introduced, and components of the plant Cannabis Sativa, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have gained recent interest as a choice of treatment. The exact mechanism for CBD is currently unknown, but unlike the CBD's psychoactive counterpart, THC, the side effects of CBD itself have been shown to be overall much more benign. The current pharmaceutical products for the treatment of chronic pain are known as nabiximols, and they contain a ratio of THC combined with CBD, which has been promising. This review focuses on the treatment efficacy of CBD, THC: CBD-based treatments for chronic pain and adverse events with each.

Keywords: cannabidiol; chronic pain; nabiximols.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / administration & dosage*
  • Cannabidiol / administration & dosage*
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage*
  • Chronic Pain / diagnosis
  • Chronic Pain / drug therapy*
  • Chronic Pain / physiopathology
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dronabinol / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Administration Routes
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Drug Combinations
  • Cannabidiol
  • Dronabinol
  • nabiximols