2024-07-18 11:20:27
Many people with chronic pain choose to smoking marijuana to avoid this condition. Unfortunately, this also involves experiencing the harmful psychoactive effects of some of its compounds, such as tetrahidrocannabinol (THC). For this reason, the fame of another cannabinoid, known as cannabidiol (CBD)which lacks psychoactive effects, but does appear to be effective in treating pain. The problem is that, according to a new review, published by scientists from Canada and the United Kingdom, CBD’s power to treat pain may have been overrated all this time.
In their study they point out that much of the existing research on the effects of CBD for treating pain has been carried out with animalsThere are very few clinical trials with humans, but if their results were conclusive it could be enough to support its efficacy. Thanks to this work, we now know that this is not the case and that the results of the clinical trials that have been carried out They leave a lot to be desired.
The conclusion of this study is that, with current evidence in handthe power of CBD for treat pain It could be much less than we thought. However, that does not mean that it should be ruled out. The proposal of the authors of the review is to increase research on this topic. There are many people in the world who suffer from chronic pain and deserve treatments with sufficiently proven evidence. Even when something is disguised as natural, it is important to check that it really works. If not, the effort will be for nothing.
The role of CBD in treating pain
Los endogenous cannabinoids They are substances that act as neuromodulatorsThat is, they have the ability to regulate the release of certain neurotransmitters and, thus, control the way in which signals are transmitted through the nervous system.
For example, if there is an excess of a particular neurotransmitter, such as glutamate, it triggers the release of endogenous cannabinoids, which bind to receptors, known as cannabinoid receptors, and send a signal to block the release of glutamate. When the levels of the latter are adequate, the cannabinoids separate from their receptor and everything Back to normal.
All of this occurs naturally in our nervous system. Most vertebrates have this endogenous cannabinoid system. However, it has been proven that there are also cannabinoid substances released by plants. Specifically, all varieties of the plantCannabis sativaThey contain different types of cannabinoids, the levels of which depend largely on the variety we are talking about.
The two best-known plant cannabinoids are THC and CBD. Both have the ability to bind to the same cannabinoid receptors as those produced by our own body. The problem is that, as it is not a cascade regulated by our nervous system, they can spend more time than necessary bound to the receptor. This produces different effects for each cannabinoid. For example, THC is more psychoactiveaffects memory, attention or emotions. CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive and could have very useful functions. Above all, the role of CBD in treating pain has been studied, but also other conditions and symptoms, such as seizures.
Initially, many people smoked marijuana directly to treat pain. Credit: Thought Catalog (Unsplash)
Many forms of administration
He cáñamo It is a variety of C.sativa It produces a lot of CBD and little THC. That’s why, in the past, to get the most out of cannabidiol, the plant was consumed directly. However, over time, many laboratories have started to isolate the cannabinoid directly. This has led to all kinds of products, from oils to creams, pills and gummies.
Unfortunately, according to some studies after the one just published, many of these products do not have adequate labeling. For example, research carried out in 2022 was dedicated to analyzing the labeling of 105 productsof which 35% also had THC, even though it was not indicated anywhere. Other times they only have CBD, but different doses to which the label points.
People who take CBD to treat pain should also be mindful of dosage. As natural as it may be, certain amounts should not be exceeded, but if these are not indicated properly, it is impossible to do it right.
It may not be as useful as it seems
The meta-analysis that has just been published in The Journal of Pain analyze 16 clinical trials conducted on humans between 2020 and 2023. These involved 917 patients who took different formats of CBD to treat pain.
In 15 of the 16 studies, pain did not improve more than with a placebo. Credit: Yuris Alhumaydy (Unsplash)
In 15 of them, it was concluded that the improvements experienced were not greater than with a placebo. Therefore, this cannabinoid is being given a virtue that it may not have. It is important to do much more research in this area. All people who suffer pain on a daily basis deserve it. It is not enough to silence them with a placebo disguised as natural medicine. It must be proven that what is given to them really works.