Neuropathic Pain

Researchers at The University of New Mexico (UNM) have conducted a series of recent studies testing the effectiveness and safety of consuming cannabis, but this is the first study they have conducted measuring the therapeutic potential of hemp oil with low THC levels. The UNM researchers set out to examine the effectiveness of consuming “legal” hemp oil extracted from the whole Cannabis plant. The results showed that whole-plant hemp oil reduced mechanical pain sensitivity 10-fold for several hours in mice with chronic post-operative neuropathic pain. A chronic neuropathic pain model was used that exposed mice to post-operative neuropathic pain …

Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial published in The Journal of Pain in July 2015 provide supportive evidence that inhaled, aerosolized cannabis may be effective for reducing pain experienced by patients with diabetes experiencing neuropathic pain. In separate testing sessions, 16 human participants were administered a placebo (i.e. inactive agent) and 3 different THC doses (low/1%, medium/4%, high/7%). “This adds preliminary evidence to support further research on the efficacy of the cannabinoids in neuropathic pain.” At each increasing dose, there was a more significant reduction in spontaneous pain (i.e. the response was “dose-dependent”). Further more, …

What is Chronic Nonmalignant Neuropathic Pain? Chronic nonmalignant pain is pain defined as an “unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage” lasting either (1) 3 months or longer or (2) longer than expected given a certain injury. It can result from trauma, a disease process, or an unknown cause.By adding the word “neuropathic” to the disorder name, the definition includes that the cause of pain is a direct result of damage or compression of a nerve. In contrast to “nonmalignant” pain, chronic malignant pain is associated with a severe/worsening …

Prescribing Patients Medical Cannabis for Pain In December 2014, the College of Family Physicians of Canada published its preliminary recommendations for physicians recommending/prescribing smoked cannabis for chronic non-cancer pain in the organization’s journal, Canadian Family Physician. The authors reviewed the information available on cannabis for medical use, utilizing mainly level II (“well conducted observational studies”) and level III (“expert opinion”) evidence to create guidelines on the following aspects of medical cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: conditions recommended for use circumstances under which medical cannabis should not be recommended circumstances under which caution should be taken …

Researchers Study Patients With Non-Cancer Pain According to a recent study, of patients currently using prescribed opioids to control non-cancer pain, approximately 16% are also using whole-plant cannabis medicines for additional management. Additionally, approximately 25% report that they would use cannabis if it was made available to them. These results were published on December 2014 in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Data gathered for this study was taken from a sample population of 1,514 people taking part in the Pain and Opioids In Treatment (POINT) study in Australia. Other information gathered, characterizing patients using …

Introduction to Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is caused by destruction of dopaminergic neurons (i.e. cells of the nervous system that make and release dopamine, a signalling molecule) in the substantia nigra (SN), an area of the brain involved in regulating movement. Patients with Parkinson’s Disease experience tremors, slowed movement, muscle stiffness, balance issues, sleep disturbance, and more. Parkinson’s Disease is a debilitating disease with no cure, although there are treatment options available. For …

There is a great deal of evidence suggesting that cannabis could be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In fact, a Brazilian study published last year suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) could help ward off neuronal cell death in the face of neurodegradation. In order to provide more insight on the topic of medical marijuana …

What Is Cerebral Palsy (CP)? Cerebral palsy (CP) is an incurable disorder of brain development, generally manifesting by the age of 3. It leads to various signs and symptoms, including difficulties in controlling movement (i.e. dysfunction in coordination, precision, and posture, spasticity/”stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes”, changes in muscle tone or reflexes, weakness, shaking/tremor). Patients with cerebral palsy may experience pain (often as a result of stiff muscles), incontinence, sleep disturbance, …

For years now Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been the most popular and widely researched cannabinoid in cannabis science. However, nowadays it seems like cannabidiol (CBD) has stolen the spotlight given its ability to provide therapeutic relief to children suffering from various epileptic disorders, while lacking the psychotropic effects (i.e. high) of THC. It’s even gotten to the point that state legislature are passing laws “CBD-only” medical marijuana legislation. Given all of this, it is easy to see how CBD and THC can be viewed …

A recent study performed in California found Cannabis to be successful in reducing neuropathic pain intensity. Researchers at the University of California, Davis recently completed a study on the effects of vaporized cannabis on neuropathic pain. The study was sponsored by the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research and the VA Northern California Health Care System. Neuropathic pain is an result of nerve damage. It causes sensations like: pins & needles, itching, wetness, and burning. Neuropathic pain refers …