Is cannabis a good alternative to treat chronic pain?

That may be the case, according to new guidelines for cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicines to treat chronic pain and co-occurring disorders, developed by a team of Canadian researchers and clinicians. But the answer is not that simple.

The reportrecently published in Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, suggests that cannabinoid-based medicines (CBMs) could offer physicians an effective, less addictive alternative to opioids in patients suffering from chronic non-cancer pain and comorbid conditions. The guidelines provide specific recommendations and practical tips for different types of chronic pain conditions such as MS, migraines, chronic pain, nausea, insomnia, etc.

“We don’t recommend using CBM for anything in the first place, as there are other alternatives that may be more effective and also have fewer side effects,” the guideline’s lead author said Alan Bell, MD Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, told Medscape Medical News.

“But I would argue strongly that I would use cannabis-based medications instead of opioids every time. Why would you use a high potency, high toxicity drug when there is a low potency, low toxicity alternative?”

Summary of Guidance

• To create current guidelines, researchers evaluated 47 pain management studies involving more than 11,000 patients;
• Thirty-eight of the 47 studies confirmed that CBM offers at least moderate benefits in the management of chronic pain.
• Based on the study review, the researchers “strongly” recommend CBM—mostly as an add-on or replacement treatment in people living with chronic pain, including central and/or peripheral neuropathic pain, to improve pain outcomes.
• The recommendations place a strong emphasis on improving chronic pain, functionality, and secondary outcomes, including time to sleep, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression, in people with chronic pain and…