Cannabis can be an effective alternative or adjunct treatment for peripheral neuropathy, an often debilitating condition for which standard treatments often provide little relief. Pain relief is the primary benefit of THC as a treatment for neuropathy. Studies show that people with neuropathic pain experience pain reduction while undergoing THC therapy. Pain intensity decreases with prolonged use.
A growing number of states allow medical marijuana for peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain. If you have problems with the constant pain, numbness, and weakness associated with this common condition, cannabis can help provide the relief you're looking for. For example, one study found that 25 mg of cannabis with 9.4% THC is effective for neuropathic pain when smoked three times a day for five days. Patients in the 9.4% THC group reported significantly less pain and better sleep, with mean pain scores decreasing from 6.1 to 5.4 on an 11-point scale.
THC has been shown to have an antidepressant-like effect due to the changes it creates in parts of the brain associated with mood and memory from pain. Studies based on NIDA strains likely underestimate the risks of consumer-purchased cannabis, as THC is believed to be primarily responsible for the risk of psychosis and driving and cognition problems. Treatments included an oromucosal spray with a combination of plant-based THC and CBD, nabilone, inhaled herbal cannabis, and plant-derived THC. Another benefit of THC is that it can reduce the number or frequency of opioid medications needed to relieve pain.
