Hemp cbd oil and pain
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CBD & Hemp Oil for Pain: Your Secret Weapon Against Chronic Suffering
This article reviews recent research on cannabinoid analgesia via the endocannabinoid system and non-receptor mechanisms, as well as randomized clinical trials employing cannabinoids in pain treatment. Other synthetic cannabinoids, such as ajulemic acid, are in development.
Crude herbal cannabis remains illegal in most jurisdictions but is also under investigation. Numerous randomized clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy for Sativex in central and peripheral neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer pain. Cannabinoid analgesics have generally been well tolerated in clinical trials with acceptable adverse event profiles. Their adjunctive addition to the pharmacological armamentarium for treatment of pain shows great promise.
Chronic pain represents an emerging public health issue of massive proportions, particularly in view of aging populations in industrialized nations. Particular difficulties face the clinician managing intractable patients afflicted with cancer-associated pain, neuropathic pain, and central pain states eg, pain associated with multiple sclerosis that are often inadequately treated with available opiates, antidepressants and anticonvulsant drugs.
Physicians are seeking new approaches to treatment of these conditions but many remain concerned about increasing governmental scrutiny of their prescribing practices Fishman , prescription drug abuse or diversion.
The entry of cannabinoid medicines to the pharmacopoeia offers a novel approach to the issue of chronic pain management, offering new hope to many, but also stoking the flames of controversy among politicians and the public alike.
An effort will be made to place the issues in context and suggest rational approaches that may mitigate concerns and indicate how standardized pharmaceutical cannabinoids may offer a welcome addition to the pharmacotherapeutic armamentarium in chronic pain treatment. Cannabinoids are divided into three groups.
The first are naturally occurring carbon terpenophenolic compounds found to date solely in plants of the Cannabis genus, currently termed phytocannabinoids Pate In , the first cannabinoid receptor was identified CB 1 Howlett et al and in , a second was described CB 2 Munro et al Both are 7-domain G-protein coupled receptors affecting cyclic-AMP, but CB 1 is more pervasive throughout the body, with particular predilection to nociceptive areas of the central nervous system and spinal cord Herkenham et al ; Hohmann et al , as well as the peripheral nervous system Fox et al ; Dogrul et al wherein synergy of activity between peripheral and central cannabinoid receptor function has been demonstrated Dogrul et al CB 2 , while commonly reported as confined to lymphoid and immune tissues, is also proving to be an important mediator for suppressing both pain and inflammatory processes Mackie Following the description of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands for these were discovered: anandamide arachidonylethanolamide, AEA in in porcine brain Devane et al , and 2-arachidonylglycerol 2-AG in in canine gut tissue Mechoulam et al Figure 1.
These endocannabinoids both act as retrograde messengers on G-protein coupled receptors, are synthesized on demand, and are especially active on glutamatergic and GABA-ergic synapses. Interestingly, our first knowledge of each pain system has derived from investigation of natural origin analgesic plants, respectively: cannabis Cannabis sativa , C. Notably, no endocannabinoid has ever been administered to humans, possibly due to issues of patentability and lack of commercial feasibility Raphael Mechoulam, pers comm For an excellent comprehensive review of the endocannabinoid system, see Pacher et al , while Walker and Huang have provided a key review of antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids in models of acute and persistent pain Walker and Huang A clinical endocannabinoid deficiency has been postulated to be operative in certain treatment-resistant conditions Russo , and has received recent support in findings that anandamide levels are reduced over controls in migraineurs Sarchielli et al , that a subset of fibromyalgia patients reported significant decreased pain after THC treatment Schley et al , and the active role of the ECS in intestinal pain and motility in irritable bowel syndrome Massa and Monory wherein anecdotal efficacy of cannabinoid treatments have also been claimed.
The endocannabinoid system is tonically active in control of pain, as demonstrated by the ability of SRA rimonabant , a CB 1 antagonist, to produce hyperalgesia upon administration to mice Richardson et al As mentioned above, the ECS is active throughout the neuraxis, including integrative functions in the periacqueductal gray Walker et al a ; Walker et al b , and in the ventroposterolateral nucleus of the thalamus, in which cannabinoids proved to be fold more potent than morphine in wide dynamic range neurons mediating pain Martin et al The ECS also mediates central stress-induced analgesia Hohmann et al , and is active in nociceptive spinal areas Hohmann et al ; Richardson et al a including mechanisms of wind-up Strangman and Walker and N-methyl-D-aspartate NMDA receptors Richardson et al b.
It was recently demonstrated that cannabinoid agonists suppress the maintenance of vincristine-induced allodynia through activation of CB 1 and CB 2 receptors in the spinal cord Rahn et al The ECS is also active peripherally Richardson et al c where CB 1 stimulation reduces pain, inflammation and hyperalgesia.
These mechanisms were also proven to include mediation of contact dermatitis via CB 1 and CB 2 with benefits of THC noted systemically and locally on inflammation and itch Karsak et al Recent experiments in mice have even suggested the paramount importance of peripheral over central CB 1 receptors in nociception of pain Agarwal et al Cannabinoid agonists produce many effects beyond those mediated directly on receptors, including anti-inflammatory effects and interactions with various other neurotransmitter systems previously reviewed Russo a.
Briefly stated, THC effects in serotonergic systems are widespread, including its ability to decrease 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT release from platelets Volfe et al , increase its cerebral production and decrease synaptosomal uptake Spadone THC may affect many mechanisms of the trigeminovascular system in migraine Akerman et al ; Akerman et al ; Akerman et al ; Russo ; Russo The glutamatergic system is integral to development and maintenance of neuropathic pain, and is responsible for generating secondary and tertiary hyperalgesia in migraine and fibromyalgia via NMDA mechanisms Nicolodi et al Additionally, cannabinoids reduce hyperalgesia via inhibition of calcitonin gene-related peptide Richardson et al a.
As for Substance P mechanisms, cannabinoids block capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia Li et al , and THC will do so at sub-psychoactive doses in experimental animals Ko and Woods These are all promising attributes for an adjunctive agent in treatment of clinical chronic pain states. The anti-inflammatory contributions of THC are also extensive, including inhibition of PGE-2 synthesis Burstein et al , decreased platelet aggregation Schaefer et al , and stimulation of lipooxygenase Fimiani et al THC has twenty times the anti-inflammatory potency of aspirin and twice that of hydrocortisone Evans , but in contrast to all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , demonstrates no cyclo-oxygenase COX inhibition at physiological concentrations Stott et al a.
Cannabidiol, a non-euphoriant phytocannabinoid common in certain strains, shares neuroprotective effects with THC, inhibits glutamate neurotoxicity, and displays antioxidant activity greater than ascorbic acid vitamin C or tocopherol vitamin E Hampson et al These activities reinforce the conception of CBD as an endocannabinoid modulator, the first clinically available Russo and Guy CBD additionally affects THC function by inhibiting first pass hepatic metabolism to the possibly more psychoactive hydroxy-THC, prolonging its half-life, and reducing associated intoxication, panic, anxiety and tachycardia Russo and Guy A new explanation of inflammatory and analgesic effects of CBD has recently come to light with the discovery that it is able to promote signaling of the adenosine receptor A2A by inhibiting the adenosine transporter Carrier et al Cannabichromene CBC is the third most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis, and is also anti-inflammatory Wirth et al , and analgesic, if weaker than THC Davis and Hatoum Furthermore, CBG has more potent analgesic, anti-erythema and lipooxygenase blocking activity than THC Evans , mechanisms that merit further investigation.
It requires emphasis that drug stains of North American ElSohly et al ; Mehmedic et al , and European King et al cannabis display relatively high concentrations of THC, but are virtually lacking in CBD or other phytocannabinoid content. Cannabis terpenoids also display numerous attributes that may be germane to pain treatment McPartland and Russo Myrcene is analgesic, and such activity, in contrast to cannabinoids, is blocked by naloxone Rao et al , suggesting an opioid-like mechanism.
It also blocks inflammation via PGE-2 Lorenzetti et al It is anti-inflammatory comparable to phenylbutazone via PGE-1 Basile et al , but simultaneously acts as a gastric cytoprotective Tambe et al Cannabis flavonoids in whole cannabis extracts may also contribute useful activity McPartland and Russo Cannflavin A, a flavone unique to cannabis, inhibits PGE-2 thirty times more potently than aspirin Barrett et al , but has not been subsequently investigated.
Very few randomized controlled trials RCTs have been conducted using smoked cannabis Campbell et al despite many anecdotal claims Grinspoon and Bakalar A recent brief trial of smoked cannabis 3. This short clinical trial also demonstrated prominent adverse events associated with intoxication. In Canada, 21 subjects with chronic pain sequentially smoked single inhalations of 25 mg of cannabis 0, 2. Even after political and legal considerations, it remains extremely unlikely that crude cannabis could ever be approved by the FDA as a prescription medicine as outlined in the FDA Botanical Guidance document Food and Drug Administration ; Russo b , due to a lack of rigorous standardization of the drug, an absence of Phase III clinical trials, and pulmonary sequelae bronchial irritation and cough associated with smoking Tashkin Although cannabis vaporizers reduce potentially carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons, they have not been totally eliminated by this technology Gieringer et al ; Hazekamp et al Two open label studies in France of oral dronabinol for chronic neuropathic pain in 7 subjects Clermont-Gnamien et al and 8 subjects Attal et al , respectively, failed to show significant benefit on pain or other parameters, and showed adverse event frequently requiring discontinuation with doses averaging 15— Dronabinol did demonstrate positive results in a clinical trial of multiple sclerosis pain in two measures Svendsen et al , but negative results in post-operative pain Buggy et al Table 1.
Another uncontrolled case report in three subjects noted relief of intractable pruritus associated with cholestatic jaundice employing oral dronabinol Neff et al Some authors have noted patient preference for whole cannabis preparations over oral THC Joy et al , and the contribution of other components beyond THC to therapeutic benefits McPartland and Russo THC absorption orally is slow and erratic with peak serum levels in 45— minutes or longer. Systemic bioavailability is also quite low due to rapid hepatic metabolism on first pass to hydroxy-THC.
A rectal suppository of THC-hemisuccinate is under investigation Broom et al , as are transdermal delivery techniques Challapalli and Stinchcomb The terminal half-life of THC is quite prolonged due to storage in body lipids Grotenhermen Nabilone Cesamet Figure 1 , is a synthetic dimethylheptyl analogue of THC British Medical Association that displays greater potency and prolonged half-life.
Serum levels peak in 1—4 hours Lemberger et al It was also primarily developed as an anti-emetic in chemotherapy, and was recently re-approved for this indication in the USA. Prior case reports have noted analgesic effects in case reports in neuropathic pain Notcutt et al and other pain disorders Berlach et al Sedation and dysphoria were prominent sequelae.
An RCT of nabilone in 41 post-operative subjects actually documented exacerbation of pain scores after thrice daily dosing Beaulieu Table 1. An abstract of a study of 82 cancer patients on nabilone claimed improvement in pain levels after varying periods of follow-up compared to patients treated without this agent Maida However, 17 subjects dropped out, and the study was neither randomized nor controlled, and therefore is not included in Table 1.
Part of its analgesic activity may relate to binding to intracellular peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor gamma Liu et al Peak plasma concentrations have generally been attained in 1—2 hours, but with delays up to 4—5 hours is some subjects Karst et al Debate surrounds the degree of psychoactivity associated with the drug Dyson et al Current research is confined to the indication of interstitial cystitis.
Two pharmacokinetic studies on possibly related material have been reported Nadulski et al a ; Nadulski et al b. Both Marinol and Cannador produced reductions in pain scores in long-term follow-up Zajicek et al Cannador was assayed in postherpetic neuralgia in 65 subjects with no observed benefit Ernst et al Table 1 , and in 30 post-operative pain subjects CANPOP without opiates, with slight benefits, but prominent psychoactive sequelae Holdcroft et al Table 1.
It was approved by Health Canada in June for prescription for central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis, and in August , it was additionally approved for treatment of cancer pain unresponsive to optimized opioid therapy.
Sativex effects commence in 15—40 minutes, an interval that permits symptomatic dose titration. A very favorable adverse event profile has been observed in over patient years of exposure in over experimental subjects. Patients most often ascertain an individual stable dosage within 7—10 days that provides therapeutic relief without unwanted psychotropic effects often in the range of 8—10 sprays per day.
In a Phase II double-blind crossover study of intractable chronic pain Notcutt et al in 24 subjects, visual analogue scales VAS were 5. During that time, there was no escalation of dose indicating an absence of tolerance to the preparation.
Similarly, no withdrawal effects were noted in a subset of patients who voluntarily stopped the medicine abruptly. Upon resumption, benefits resumed at the prior established dosages.
In a Phase II double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 5-week study of 56 rheumatoid arthritis patients with Sativex Blake et al , employed nocturnal treatment only to a maximum of 6 sprays per evening In a study of spinal injury pain, NRS of pain were not statistically different from placebo, probably due to the short duration of the trial, but secondary endpoints were clearly positive Table 1. Finally, in an RCT of intractable lower urinary tract symptoms in MS, accompanying pain in affected patients was prominently alleviated Table 1.
Common adverse events AE of Sativex acutely in RCTs have included complaints of bad taste, oral stinging, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea or fatigue, but do not generally necessitate discontinuation, and prove less common over time. While there have been no head-to-head comparative RCTs of Sativex with other cannabinoid agents, certain contrasts can be drawn.
Sativex Rog et al and Marinol Svendsen et al have both been examined in treatment of central neuropathic pain in MS, with comparable results Table 1. However, adverse events were comparable or greater with Marinol than with Sativex employing THC dosages some 2. Similarly, while Sativex and smoked cannabis have not been employed in the same clinical trial, comparisons of side effect profiles can be made on the basis of SAFEX studies of Sativex for over a year and up to several years in MS and other types of neuropathic pain Russo b ; Wade et al , and government-approved research programs employing standardized herbal cannabis from Canada for chronic pain Lynch et al and the Netherlands for general conditions Janse et al ; Gorter et al over a period of several months or more.
As is evident in Figure 2 Figure 2 , all adverse events are more frequently reported with herbal cannabis, except for nausea and dizziness, both early and usually transiently reported with Sativex see Russo b for additional discussion. Comparison of adverse events AE encountered with long term therapeutic use of herbal cannabis in the Netherlands Janse et al ; Gorter et al and Canada Lynch et al , vs that observed in safety-extension SAFEX studies of Sativex oromucosal spray Russo ; Wade et al Phytocannabinoids are lipid soluble with slow and erratic oral absorption.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plants. CBD doesn't cause the. This CBD tincture is made from hemp grown in Oregon. It may help relieve pain, relax muscles, and reduce inflammation. It's a cost-effective.
Please refresh the page and retry. Health advice should always be taken with a healthy degree of scepticism. We are constantly presented with new products that are supposed to make us live longer, happier, and more beautiful lives.
Apr 4, 10 min read.
This article reviews recent research on cannabinoid analgesia via the endocannabinoid system and non-receptor mechanisms, as well as randomized clinical trials employing cannabinoids in pain treatment. Other synthetic cannabinoids, such as ajulemic acid, are in development. Crude herbal cannabis remains illegal in most jurisdictions but is also under investigation.
Using CBD for Arthritis: Tips for How to Get Started
How can something as simple as Hemp Oil help with pain? But I can wonder all I want, the fact is that Hemp Oil does work. Hemp, which is also known as industrial hemp is found throughout North America. Hemp can also be refined into a variety of commercial items including paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed. Well, maybe if I was 30 and still had a full head of hair, I might be a little better.
Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain
Learn what the science says about the risks and benefits of CBD use for arthritis and what to shop for. What is CBD? CBD, short for cannabidiol, is an active compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is not intoxicating but may cause some drowsiness. The CBD in most products is extracted from hemp, a variety of cannabis that has only traces up to 0. Does CBD work for arthritis? Animal studies have suggested that CBD has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, but these effects have not been validated in quality studies in humans. Is CBD safe to use?
Cannabidiol CBD has been recently covered in the media, and you may have even seen it as an add-in booster to your post-workout smoothie or morning coffee. What exactly is CBD?
Joni Sweet. So naturally, you might be wondering: Can CBD help people with arthritis and related diseases cope with pain?
Do You have Chronic Pain? Learn How I Got My Life Back with CBD Hemp Oil
As scientific studies are showing, CBD oil and hemp oil show success in managing chronic pain and inflammation. Read on to learn more about these fascinating natural remedies. Hemp oil comes from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp oil is the product of those strains of Cannabis sativa plants which have an extremely low concentration of THC — under 0. These strains are called hemp, and they are legally industrially produced in the US since In fact, due to its high nutritious value and ability to moisturize without clogging pores, hemp oil has been used for decades as a dietary supplement and for making cosmetic products. Hemp oil has also been shown to be very beneficial for the cardiovascular system , the brain , and the skin , among other organs. CBD oil comes from the same variety of the Cannabis sativa plant as hemp oil. However, CBD oil is not produced from the seeds, but from the flowers and leaves of hemp. After the CBD has been extracted from the plant, it is diluted it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil, resulting in the final product. More scientific research is underway, but the buzz surrounding the use of CBD oil is definitely not undeserved. The FDA has not approved CBD as a medication for anything other than epilepsy , so the market is currently unregulated. This means that product potency may vary from that indicated, and that small amounts of THC may be present. Hemp oil contains lots of omega-3 fatty acids , which are high in nutritious value, but have also been shown to reduce inflammation.
