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This guest column is from Scott Mazza, co-founder of Buffalo-based Vitality CBD. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of NY Cannabis Insider.
Another day, another positive study into cannabis’ pain-fighting potential.
In June, University of Arizona researchers found that cannabis terpenes – the compounds that give the plant its aroma and taste – were as effective as morphine at reducing chronic neuropathic pain.
This is a big deal that once again offers lab-backed and peer-reviewed evidence that cannabis can do wonders in treating pain. In just the past few years, we’ve seen other research showing the promise of cannabidiol (CBD) to reduce anxiety, aid inflammation and even help fight the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, we’ve seen big industries put the early findings into practice, with the NFL making it legal for players to use the compound and donating more than $1M to research the effects of cannabinoids on pain management and neuroprotection from concussions.
With public support for cannabis at all-time highs, expect this kind of backing and research to go a long way in changing the legislation status quo. The role of cannabis in pain treatment, it seems, may just be the tipping point for mainstream adoption.
Terpenes and morphine
Published in PAIN, researchers investigated the pain-relieving potential of five common cannabis terpenes in mice suffering from induced neuropathic or inflammatory pain.
Impressively, each terpene individually matched or exceeded morphine’s pain-relieving effects. Further, combining terpenes with morphine significantly enhanced pain relief without increasing negative side effects.
This study suggests that terpenes – the aromatic compounds that also play a role in the famed “entourage effect” – could offer an alternative path to pain management without the adverse reactions often associated with traditional painkillers. This is exciting on its own and part of a growing body of evidence that could change how we treat pain with cannabis and its compounds.
The many ways cannabinoids help fight pain
Time and again, I’ve written about how we’re seeing the anecdotal evolve into the evidential when it comes to CBD, and it’s safe to say this is only accelerating regarding pain, inflammation, and both proactive and reactive treatments.
In sports, for example, athletes report quicker and easier recovery with CBD oils and salves, along with potential benefits like reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and lower stress. This is leading to growing acceptance across various leagues and stars like the MLB and Rob Gronkowski.
The embrace is understandable given the physical toll of sports. A study into the NFL found that more than half of players used opioids during their careers with 71% reporting misuse. Finding a natural, non-addictive pain treatment is crucial to prevent potential addiction and progression to other drugs.
On this topic, too, CBD shows promise. For example, we already know that CBD reduces opioid reward and counts a strong safety profile with no abuse liability. The researchers in that study found CBD “modestly efficacious” in reducing neuropathic pain. Further, another study from last year reported that CBD lowers fentanyl binding, thereby helping to prevent overdoses, a major discovery as the opioid epidemic rages on.
So, whether we’re talking about treating pain or recovering from it, we’re at a crossroads in how we leverage cannabis compounds. Not only will better science and visible adoption lead to even more studies and real-world applications, but a shift in attitudes and, ultimately, I believe, legal decisions.
Ushering in a new era of pain management
It’s tough to understate how quickly things are moving. The market for legal cannabis compounds only came online in 2018 and we’re already a long way from CBD candies at gas stations. The novelty days are over and giving way to medical investigations and industry integrations.
This rapid market evolution mirrors a swift shift in public opinion. Gallup reports that 70% of Americans now support cannabis legalization, up from 51% a decade ago – representing almost 1 in 5 Americans changing their minds on the subject regardless of political, educational, and ideological lines. With one in three Americans having already used CBD, the cannabis taboo is clearly fading.
Legally, the trajectory points towards reform. The federal government’s decision to reschedule cannabis, coupled with 24 states approving recreational use, signals a changing tide. As social acceptance grows and medical evidence mounts, particularly in pain management, we’re likely to see more comprehensive legislative changes.
The latest findings on cannabis and pain could be the tipping point, potentially leading to larger studies, increased funding, and less red tape. Consider sports: one can envision cannabis compounds becoming integral to recovery and rehabilitation across leagues and regions. And that’s just one application in one industry.
Legislative changes for cannabis and its compounds seem inevitable. The question is no longer if cannabis will go mainstream, but when – and pain management might just be the catalyst.