A German research team has concluded that medicinal cannabis offers effective, quick-onset relief for neuropathic pain and produces fewer side effects than many conventional treatment options.
Cannabis Health News reports that the retrospective study examined 99 patients between the ages of 20 and 81 who suffered from chronic neuropathic pain and had been prescribed cannabis by specialist physicians. The majority used flower with a THC concentration of 12–22% and a maximum daily dose of up to 1g.
Researchers assessed pain intensity, sleep disturbances, overall condition, side effects, and treatment tolerance across six follow-up examinations conducted through verbal interviews, with findings compared against each patient's baseline.
Cannabis proved effective not only in reducing neuropathic pain but also in addressing the associated sleep disorders that frequently accompany the condition. Significant pain relief emerged within weeks of starting treatment and was sustained through to the end of the study period.
No serious adverse effects were recorded, and 91% of participants reported that the medication was well tolerated.
At the outset of treatment, most patients were experiencing severe pain, with an average reported pain score of 7.5 out of 10, and 96% of participants recorded a score above six.
By the first follow-up visit — within six weeks of beginning treatment — the average pain score had dropped to 3.75, with 90% of patients reporting an improvement in their overall condition.
By the conclusion of the study, spanning the full six-month observation period, 97 of the 99 patients had reported feeling better during at least one follow-up appointment.
No serious adverse events were recorded. Minor side effects included dry mouth (5.4%), tiredness (4.8%), and increased appetite (2.7%).