Cannabidiol for pain relief
Andrew Moore and colleagues recently presented their review of the evidence for the efficacy of pharmaceutical grade cannabidiol (CBD) for chronic pain (as used in clinical trials) in the Journal of Pain. They also reviewed studies of the CBD content and safety of non-pharmaceutical grade products.
Their take-home message is that there is wide variability in non-prescription product content, there is the possibility of harm and, as yet, no good evidence regarding efficacy in managing chronic pain.
They caution that these considerations should be balanced against patient desires for “natural, safe, effective products”, whilst acknowledging that chronic pain is often poorly managed with subsequent negative effects on quality of life.