We feel pain when swelling occurs in our body, pushing against the nerve endings causing inflammation. Research shows that cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain. Studies were done on the effects of THC and CBD on mice and rats, which showed a significant reduction in inflammation from arthritis, joint pain and sciatic nerves1. More recent studies on humans show that cannabis benefits “include relief from chronic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and postoperative pain.” ((Burstein SH, Zurier RB. Cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and related analogs in inflammation. AAPS J. 2009;11(1):109-119. doi:10.1208/s12248-009-9084-5))
Pain is complex and can have a wide array of intensity and varying factors. The primary types of pain are somatic, visceral, neuropathic, and psychogenic.
Pain is complex and can have a wide array of intensity and varying factors. The primary types of pain are somatic, visceral, neuropathic, and psychogenic.
Somatic Pain
- Somatic pain is the everyday pain we experience from cuts, bruises, and tension headaches.
- Somatic pain can be superficial somatic pain, where it is easy to localize as it occurs in the moment on the surface near the skin, or deep somatic pain, where it is longer-lasting and in the joints, muscles and bones.
Visceral Pain
- Visceral pain affects the internal organs and is caused by menstrual cramps, constipation, acid indigestion, muscle spasms, and other internal issues.
- Visceral pain is often described as an internal, achy pain that is difficult to localize and arises from visceral organs such as the gastrointestinal system.
Neuropathic Pain
- Neuropathic pain arises from the central nervous system and is typically a chronic pain caused by serious injury or illness.
- Cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, spinal cord compression, herniated discs and alcohol can all be considered to contribute to neuropathic pain.
Psychogenic Pain
- Psychogenic pain is emotional and mental pain.
- Psychogenic pain can be related to grief, anger, depression, and anxiety, all of which can cause physical pain from these emotions.
Although studies investigating cannabis and its effects on pain are ongoing, there is evidence that the ratio of THC to CBD is an important factor to consider when selecting a strain of cannabis. A study published in 2019 specifically investigated analgesic effects of cannabis on chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients. It compared 3 strains of cannabis (with known THC:CBD ratios) against placebo. The results showed that the cannabis strain with high concentrations of both THC and CBD (Beidol; balanced ratio) had the largest increase tolerance to pressure pain. The strain with a high THC: low CBD (Bedrocan) was slightly inferior to the balanced ratio strain, but more effective than both the high CBD:low THC and placebo strains in increasing tolerance of pressure related pain.2
As always, you should seek professional medical advice when treating pain. Cannabis can be only one factor in helping treat pain; others include prescription medication, a healthy diet and exercise.
- A novel synthetic, nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid (HU-320) with antiinflammatory properties in murine collagen-induced arthritis. Sumariwalla PF, Gallily R, Tchilibon S, Fride E, Mechoulam R, Feldmann M Arthritis Rheum. 2004 Mar; 50(3):985-98. [↩]
- van de Donk T, Niesters M, Kowal MA, Olofsen E, Dahan A, van Velzen M. An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia. Pain. 2019 Apr;160(4):860-869. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001464. PMID: 30585986; PMCID: PMC6430597. [↩]