High-THC Cannabis Slightly Reduces Pain, CBD Shows Little Benefit: Study

A new systematic evidence review has shed light on the complex relationship between cannabis products and pain management, revealing that while products with higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may offer some relief, they come with a trade-off of increased side effects. Conversely, the review found that products dominated by cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrated almost no benefit in reducing pain.

The study, conducted by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, updates a living review first published in 2022. It incorporated several additional short-term placebo-controlled randomized trials to evaluate the efficacy of various cannabinoids.

THC: Small Gains, Significant Side Effects

The review found that cannabis products containing relatively high levels of THC, the plant’s primary psychoactive compound, could provide short-term improvements in pain and function. Specifically, oral THC-only products were shown to slightly reduce pain severity. This aligns with findings for FDA-approved synthetic THC products like dronabinol and nabilone, which also showed some evidence of pain relief.

However, these benefits were modest—improving pain scores by only about half a point to a point on a 10-point scale compared to a placebo. Furthermore, the use of THC-based products was linked to a moderate-to-large increase in common adverse symptoms, including dizziness, sedation, and nausea. Lead author Roger Chou, M.D., noted the complexity of the issue, stating, “It’s not like taking a standardized dose of ibuprofen… Cannabis is derived from a plant and has multiple chemicals in addition to THC and CBD.”

The CBD Surprise

Perhaps the most striking finding was the lack of efficacy for CBD products. Despite conventional wisdom suggesting CBD as a promising non-psychoactive medicinal option, the review’s analysis of recent randomized controlled trials found that products containing mainly or only CBD demonstrated almost no improvement in managing pain.

“This may be surprising to people,” said Dr. Chou. “CBD-based products are widely available in dispensaries. Many people use these products, and they think they help. Our goal is to provide some scientific basis to help people make their decisions.”

Medical Consensus and Future Research

The medical community remains divided on the issue. The American College of Physicians recently declined to recommend inhaled cannabis for non-cancer pain, contrasting with a previous expert panel that issued a soft recommendation for its use in chronic pain cases where standard treatments failed.

The researchers concluded that more rigorous research is needed, particularly on long-term outcomes and the effectiveness of products commonly found in dispensaries versus those used in clinical trials. As legalization expands across the U.S., understanding the true medicinal value and risks of these products becomes increasingly critical for patients and providers alike.

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Sophia Bennett

Author at Ecigator

Sophia Bennett has dedicated her career to monitoring and analyzing the regulatory landscape and news within the vape industry. With a keen eye for the evolving policies that shape this dynamic market, Sophia brings a critical perspective to her commentary and reports.

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