THC and Cannabis reduce neuropathic pain in damage of the brachial plexus

Science: THC and Cannabis reduce neuropathic pain in damage of the brachial plexus

THC and a cannabis extract with a mix of THC and CBD reduced the pain in 48 patients due to damage of the brachial plexus and improved sleep quality. The study was a randomised double-blind crossover trial consisting of three 2-week periods.

Patients continued on all previous stable medications including analgesics. During each 2-week period, subjects received in random order either placebo, THC (25 mg per square meter body surface) or a mix of 25 mg THC and 25 mg CBD (cannabidiol). THC and cannabis were applied as a sublingual spray.

Both the THC and THC:CBD extracts decreased pain and improved sleep. The effects were moderate although mostly statistically significant. Researchers concluded , that “given the refractory nature of the pain in this patient group, this study shows that cannabis-based medicinal extracts represent a significant advance in treatment.”

(Source: Berman J, et al. Efficacy of two cannabis-based medicinal extracts for relief of central neuropathic pain from brachial plexus avulsion: results of a randomised controlled trial. Anaesthesia, 2003;58:938)

*Industrial-Hemp has no psychoactive properties following definition of the European Economic Community (EEC); THC content is less than 0.3%. In general, low THC-seed varieties without psychoactive properties are those that have a THC content of less than 1%. (See also No-THC Hemp-seed.) THC= Delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol.