Study: Cannabinoids (THC/CBD) beat opioids in treating chronic pain

Are Cannabinoids Derived From Cannabis The Ultimate Panacea To The Opioid Crisis? A new study recently published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research has made interesting revelations about the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids versus opioids in treating chronic pain.

The study found that cannabinoids (THC and CBD) have a better benefit-safety profile compared to opioids used to treat chronic neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain, simply called nerve pain, is considered chronic if it lasts longer than three months. The pain is usually sharp and burning and is likely to be debilitating. The causes vary and include diabetes and cystitis, among others. Traditional treatment for neuropathic pain includes the use of anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and opioids.

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The study was conducted by a team of pain specialists and psychiatrists, patient advocates and scientists. 12 different pharmacological treatments, including THC and CBD, were considered for the study. The researchers attempted to compare the safety and benefits of the drug compounds. Researchers created a model (multi-criteria decision analysis) to assess each drug’s performance in terms of safety and clinical utility.

Here’s what the research found:

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• A combination of THC and CBD in a 1:1 ratio had the highest score (79)
• CBD dominant treatment followed with a score of 74
• The THC-dominant treatment took third place with a score of 72
• Duloxetine and gabapentin scored points in the ’60s
• Amitriptyline, tramadol and ibuprofen scored points in the 50’s
• Methadone and oxycodone scored well in the ’40s
• Morphine and fentanyl scored well in the ’30s

An analysis of the results showed that a THC and CBD combo offered significantly higher safety benefits, such that even halving the score for pain reduction and quality of life would not change the result.

What does that mean?

When combined in equal proportions, THC and CBD offer a safer and more effective treatment for neuropathic pain compared to traditional treatments. While the combination had a score of 79, opioids had a score of between 30 and 60. This supports previous research suggesting that cannabinoids may help with the opioid epidemic crisis that is afflicting millions of people.

This article originally appeared on MyCannabis.net and has been republished with permission.