Cannabidiol and pain

Glauce Crivelaro Nascimento*, Daniela Escobar-Espinal, Gabriela Gonçalves Bálico, Nicole Rodrigues Silva, Elaine Del Bel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Chronic pain presents significant personal, psychological, and socioeconomic hurdles, impacting over 30% of adults worldwide and substantially contributing to disability. Unfortunately, current pharmacotherapy often proves inadequate, leaving fewer than 70% of patients with relief. This shortfall has sparked a drive to seek alternative treatments offering superior safety and efficacy profiles. Cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals, notably cannabidiol (CBD), hold promise in pain management, driven by their natural origins, versatility, and reduced risk of addiction. As we navigate the opioid crisis, ongoing research plunges into CBD's therapeutic potential, buoyed by animal studies revealing its pain-relieving prowess through various system tweaks. However, the efficacy of cannabis in chronic pain management remains a contentious and stigmatized issue. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) presently refrains from endorsing cannabinoid use for pain relief. Nevertheless, evidence indicates their potential in alleviating cancer-related, neuropathic, arthritis, and musculoskeletal pain, necessitating further investigation. Crucially, our comprehension of CBD's role in pain management is a journey still unfolding, with animal studies illustrating its analgesic effects through interactions with the endocannabinoid, inflammatory, and nociceptive systems. As the plot thickens, it's clear: the saga of chronic pain and CBD's potential offers a compelling narrative ripe for further exploration and understanding.

Original languageEnglish
Book seriesInternational Review of Neurobiology
Volume177
Pages (from-to)29-63
Number of pages35
ISSN0074-7742
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Keywords

  • Cannabidiol
  • Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Neuropathic pain

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