CBD & THC reduces neuropathic pain in mice

This article originally appeared in the 2/20/20 Concussion Update Newsletter: “Morning blue light helps sleep in mTBI patients.” This is a modified version of the article. 

A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that CBD and THC reduces chronic neuropathic pain in mice. Neuropathic pain is pain caused by a disease of the nervous system. While chronic neuropathic pain and post-concussion symptoms are not directly linked, research on neuropathic pain provides valuable insight.

In this study, researchers assessed long-term (3 week) consumption of THC, CBD, or morphine by mice. Opioids, like morphine, have drawbacks that prevent long-term use. Therefore, the authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy of THC and CBD in reducing neuropathic pain in comparison with morphine.

The authors measured allodynia, a type of neuropathic pain, by recording ultrasonic clicks made by the mice. Allodynia is pain from a stimulus that would not normally provoke pain.

Consumption of THC, CBD, or morphine all reduced measures of allodynia compared to controls. However, tolerance to morphine developed after 1 week. On the other hand, THC or CBD continued to reduce allodynia for 3 weeks.

This indicates that THC or CBD may be more effective than morphine in the long-term treatment of chronic pain. CBD may be the most optimal treatment because it treats chronic pain without the psychoactive effects of THC.

The authors conclude that “CBD may represent a viable therapeutic option because of its low psychoactive profile, lack of efficacy in a pain-free state, and long-lasting reduction in allodynia in chronic pain.”