Study links pot, effective short-term pain treatment

Cannabis products with high levels of the psychedelic element found in marijuana – tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — may be associated with improvements in chronic pain, according to a study published this month on the Annals of Internal Medicine.  

Researchers examined ratios between THC and cannabidiol, or CBD, and found that synthetic, oral products with high THC-to-CBD ratios and sublingual, extracted cannabis products with comparable THC-to-CBD ratios “may be associated with short-term improvements in chronic pain,” according to the study.  

The study, which examined outcomes of 18 randomized, placebo-controlled trials and seven cohort studies, also found that such products also hold an increased risk for dizziness and sedation.  

Researchers pointed out that studies “are needed on long-term outcomes and further evaluation of product formulation effects.”