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New research on cannabis shows patients with chronic neuropathic pain from traumatic injury or surgery benefit from smoking the drug in a pipe.
As well as reducing pain in those with damaged nerves, it also eases anxiety and depression, the Canadian research team found.
Cannabis extract in pill form has proved successful in previous trials at treating some types of pain.
Scientists conducted the latest trial to test inhaled cannabis in 21 patients with chronic neuropathic pain caused by traumatic injury or surgery.
The researchers used herbal cannabis, or “grass”, at four potency levels.
Patients aged 25 to 77 were asked to smoke 25 milligrams of the drug from a pipe three times a day.
The highest-potency cannabis, containing 9.4% of the active ingredient THC, reduced pain, decreased anxiety and depression, and aided sleep.
Lead researcher Dr Mark Ware, director of clinical research at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit, McGill University Health Centre, said: “We found that 25mg herbal cannabis with 9.4% THC, administered as a single smoked inhalation three times daily for five days, significantly reduces average pain intensity compared with a 0% THC cannabis placebo in adult subjects with chronic post-traumatic/post-surgical neuropathic pain.”
No serious adverse effects occurred during the trial. All the patients taking active cannabis reported one occasion of feeling “high” and euphoric, and some complained of headaches, dry eyes, a burning sensation, dizziness, numbness and coughs.
No significant changes in vital signs, heart rate or kidney function were recorded.
The findings, reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, CMAJ, are believed to be the first from a clinical trial of smoked cannabis.
The authors recommended more studies with higher potencies of THC, longer follow-up periods, and flexible dosing.
Long-term safety studies of smoked cannabis for medical purposes were also needed, said the researchers.
In an accompanying commentary, Professor Henry McQuay, a pain expert from Oxford University, said that getting the trial over regulatory hurdles “must have been a major nightmare”.
He added: “This trial adds to the trickle of evidence that cannabis may help some of the patients who are struggling at present.”
Copyright Press Association 2010
Smoked cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain – CMAJ
