Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials of cannabinoid products in chronic pain conditions and for symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis: what do they tell us?

CBD as a cure‐all? The impacts of state‐level legalization of prescription cannabidiol (CBD) on opioid prescriptions

“…The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017) found that though there is evidence that cannabis or cannabinoids are effective in treating certain symptoms or diseases, there are many symptoms for which cannabis products are used with only limited evidence to support their use. Recent meta‐analyses have found that the evidence is mixed for the relief of pain using CBD products (Rabgay et al, 2020; Dykukha et al, 2021; Arnold et al, 2022; Nielsen et al, 2022; Silvan et al, 2022; Villanueva et al, 2022; Kaufmann et al, 2023;), with differences in effect depending on the level of CBD used, how the products are consumed, and whether pain measures are self‐reported or assessed clinically. Therefore, while patients may view CBD as a potential pain relief alternative, the clinical evidence is much less sure.…”

“…As noted in Kaufmann et al (2023), a majority of patients use CBD products for chronic pain, where low daily doses improved self‐perception of health, resulting in a decrease in both over‐the‐counter (OTC) and prescription drug (Rx) use. The composition, quality, delivery method, and strength of CBD is also important in the use of these products to treat various types of pain (Arnold et al, 2022; Dykukha et al, 2021; Rabgay et al, 2020; Silvan et al, 2022; Villanueva et al, 2022). Overall, the theme is that randomized controlled trials (RCT's) of CBD products show some evidence for an ability to reduce certain types of pain, but the magnitudes of the effect differ, with more studies needed.…”