A new study in Frontiers in Pharmacology finds that full-spectrum marijuana extracts, used with flexible, individualized dosing, were associated with broad improvements for women living with chronic pain syndromes.
The research team from Centro Universitário Unieuro, the State Secretariat of Education of the Federal District and the University of Brasilia analyzed outcomes for 29 Brazilian women treated in real-world clinical practice.
All participants had chronic pain lasting at least three months, with conditions ranging from fibromyalgia and migraine to chronic back and joint pain. Patients received full-spectrum marijuana extracts produced by two patient-led civil societies in Brazil, using CBD-dominant, THC-dominant or mixed formulas. Doses were started low and slowly increased, with CBD-to-THC ratios adjusted over several weeks based on symptom relief and side effects.
Every patient reported some reduction in pain, and most also reported improvements in sleep, fatigue, mood, anxiety, irritability, and daily functioning. Many women said they were better able to work, resume household tasks and participate in family and social life. Overall quality of life was rated as moderately or considerably improved for both patients and their families.
The treatment also coincided with a lower reliance on other medications. Among those already taking pain drugs when they started marijuana extracts, about two-thirds reduced or stopped their analgesics. Half of the patients on medication for anxiety or mood disorders reported cutting back or discontinuing those prescriptions.
Side effects were generally mild to moderate and tended to occur early in treatment. No one stopped using marijuana extracts because of adverse events. The authors note that the open-label, self-reported design and small sample mean controlled trials are still needed, but say the findings support individualized, full-spectrum marijuana therapy as a promising adjunct or primary option for women with chronic pain syndromes.
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