Cannabis & Chronic Pain

BY ANTONIO DEROSE

MULTIPLE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES POINT AT CANNABIS BEING AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN

According to an academic manuscript published in Children (an international peerreviewed open access journal of pediatrics), chronic pain in children is an issue all over the world “With conservative estimates that posit 20% to 35% of children and adolescents affected by it worldwide.” 1 Shockingly, the manuscript goes on to state, “Pain experienced in children’s hospitals is known to be common, under-recognized, and undertreated, with more than 10% of hospitalized children showing features of chronic pain. Although the majority of children reporting chronic pain are not greatly disabled by it, about 3% of pediatric chronic pain patients require intensive rehabilitation.” 1 Since chronic pain in children is often underrecognized and under-treated, one could suggest many children carry their pain with them into adulthood.

In fact, a report released by the CDC in September 2018 stated that there are 50 million adults in the United States who suffer from chronic pain. That’s 20.4% of the adult population, meaning almost 1 in 4 adults in the United States are suffering from chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined by the American Chronic Pain Association as “Pain that continues a month or more beyond the usual recovery period for an injury or illness or that goes on for months or years due to a chronic condition.” Many medical conditions are associated with isolated or wide-spread pain. The previously mentioned manuscript listed the most common chronic pain disorders in pediatrics being primary headaches, centrally mediated abdominal pain syndromes, and/or chronic musculoskeletal and joint pain. 1

Although the physical pain these children suffer from may seem like the worst part, it can lead to several negative consequences. Some pain can be physically debilitating, reducing regular functionality and making daily life tasks like bathing or walking a constant challenge. It can also lead to trouble sleeping, social isolation, mood changes, and even depression. Sadly, most treatment options for chronic pain include the prescription of pharmaceutical medications like opioids, which have been shown to cause harsh side effects, have a high risk for abuse, and can lead to addiction. This is where cannabis may be able to help. Several studies have linked cannabis to being effective in the use of managing chronic pain.

A systematic review of randomized trials on the use of cannabinoids for treatment of chronic non-cancer pain was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The review looked at data from eighteen scientific trials and included a total of 766 participants. These trials focused on researching several cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, and concluded, “The majority (15 trials) demonstrated a significant analgesic effect for the cannabinoid agent being investigated.” Four of the trials reviewed specifically examined smoking cannabis flower compared to placebo, and “All four trials found a positive effect with no serious adverse effects.” 4 A more targeted research study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, took a closer look at people smoking cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain, and their conclusion was, “A single inhalation of 25 mg of 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol herbal cannabis three times daily for five days reduced the intensity of pain, improved sleep and was well tolerated.” This review of multiple scientific studies points at cannabis being an effective tool for managing chronic pain. While I’m not suggesting children should start lighting up flower, these findings give more depth to the use of cannabinoids being successful in treating pain.

Extensive research—specifically on children using cannabis—is limited due to its federal illegality, but there are several amazing success stories, like Coltyn Turner. Coltyn has Crohn’s Disease and manages his symptoms, including pain, with the help of cannabis. He was the first registered medical cannabis pediatric patient for Crohn’s disease in Colorado and possibly the US. He continues to advocate and spread awareness for cannabis as medicine and serves as a bright example for how this plant can provide comfort to children suffering chronic pain, allowing them to live happier, healthier lives and grow into adulthood. If you’re considering cannabis for your child, reach out to your local cannabis community for support. Talk to a qualified physician about your options. Cannabis isn’t for every person or every child, but it could help—and the science suggests it’s worth considering.

TALK TO A QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS.