Evidence behind the effectiveness of cannabis-related products to treat chronic pain is surprisingly thin, according to a new systematic evidence review by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University.
The federally funded review, which will be updated on an ongoing basis, was published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers did find evidence to support a short-term benefit in treating neuropathic pain — caused by damage to peripheral nerves, such as diabetic neuropathy resulting in pain described as burning and tingling, involving two FDA-approved synthetic products with 100% tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC: dronabinol (under the trade name Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet).
