Can Cannabis Provide Some Relief From Chronic Pain
While cannabinoids offer a potential alternative for refractory chronic pain, optimal use requires personalized dosing and further high-quality trials targeting specific pain subtypes.
By Amy Hansen, The Fresh ToastChronic pain can be life changing – from the pain to zapped energy. But can cannabis make a difference?
An estimated 20% of adults in the US and roughly 8 million Canadians experience chronic pain. This condition is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months. It can lead to insomnia and fatigue. If can impact many other parts of life, including mood and the ability to move and body functions. It can also lead to changes in the brain and nervous system, which can make the pain worse and harder to manage. But can cannabis provide some relief from chronic pain?
Medical cannabis (MC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have show promise in managing chronic pain, though efficacy varies by condition and formulation. Research indicates cannabinoids may reduce pain severity by 30–50% compared to placebo, particularly in neuropathic and inflammatory conditions. A 2023 systematic review of 15 studies found CBD alone or combined with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduced pain by 42–66%.
Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, modulating pain signaling and inflammation:
THC binds to CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, altering pain perception.
CBD enhances anandamide (a natural pain-regulating compound) and activates glycine receptors, potentially reducing localized inflammation.
Combined THC:CBD formulations (e.g., nabiximols) often show superior pain relief compared to single cannabinoids, with CBD mitigating THC’s psychoactive effects.
Clinical Evidence by Condition
Neuropathic pain: THC:CBD sprays reduced pain scores in multiple sclerosis and spinal injury patients.
Arthritis/fibromyalgia: Topical CBD improved peripheral neuropathy, while oral formulations alleviated fibromyalgia pain in 30% of patients.
Chronic back/neck pain: Preliminary trials suggest vaporized cannabis may rival oxycodone’s efficacy.
The good news is studies report 18–29% of patients achieve ≥30% pain reduction with cannabinoids vs. 14–26% on placebo. Effective CBD doses range widely (2.5–1,500 mg/day), and prolonged use may alter drug metabolism. So trend carefully with both CBD and THC. Remember, only THC:CBD combos like nabiximols are FDA-approved for specific conditions; most CBD products remain unregulated.
CBD alone shows fewer side effects (fatigue, diarrhea) than THC-containing products. Notably, real-world data associate medical cannabis with 60% reduced opioid use in chronic pain patients, though long-term safety data remain limited.
While cannabinoids offer a potential alternative for refractory chronic pain, optimal use requires personalized dosing and further high-quality trials targeting specific pain subtypes. Current evidence supports cautious integration into multimodal pain regimens, particularly when conventional therapies fail. Always talk with your health professional when adding something new to your pain management regime.
The Fresh Toast is a daily lifestyle platform with a side of cannabis. For more information, visit www.thefreshtoast.com.
Copyright 2025 The Fresh Toast. Distributed by TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
 -- Singer Lee Seung-hwan filed a petition with the Constitutional Court on Thursday, challenging a city government?s demand in December that he sign a written pledge not to enga ... %23singer)
, “Law School,” and “My Liberation Notes.” The drama depicts a transcendent romance about a protagonist who reunites with their loved one in heaven after death.
Kim Hye Ja takes on the role of Lee Hae Sook, an 80-year-old woman who reunites with her husband, now a young man, in heaven. After her husband's sudden accident, Lee Hae Sook is forced to become the head of the household overnight. Upon her death at the age of 80, she heads to her husband in heaven, but unlike others, she retains her age and begins a second life in heaven as her true self. Heavenly Ever After marks the reunion of veteran actress Kim Hye Ja and director Kim Suk Yoon as well as writers Lee Nam Gyu and Kim Soo Jin, who previously worked together on Radiant.
Son Suk Ku plays Go Nak Joon, Lee Hae Sook's devoted husband and a heavenly mailman who delivers letters of earthly wishes. Having passed away before his beloved wife, he builds a beautiful home in heaven and waits for the day he can reunite with her. However, the youthful and vibrant 30-something Go Nak Joon finds himself unexpectedly navigating life in heaven alongside the 80-year-old Lee Hae Sook, leading to an unforeseen and unique heavenly experience. Son Suk Ku, who gained popularity for his role as Mr. Gu in My Liberation Notes, also reunites with director Kim Suk Yoon after three years, adding to the anticipation for this special on-screen couple.
The first teaser video highlights the unique and otherworldly chemistry between Lee Hae Sook and Go Nak Joon as a married couple. The scene begins on a subway during the late afternoon. Under the warm hues of the setting sun, Lee Hae Sook's solitary words, I wonder if heaven really exists, echo emptily. As if to answer her question, the train she is on passes through the boundary between life and death and finally arrives at her destination, Heaven Station.
Watch the full teaser below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPmpxxVlnao
Heavenly Ever After is set to premiere in April this year. Stay tuned!
While you wait, watch Kim Hye Ja in Radiant”:
[viki-watchnow url=https://www.viki.com/tv/36415c-radiant]
Source (1) %23actress)
 and Baek Su Jeong (Mun Ka Young) who first meet via their online game characters during their school days, then meet again in real life as boss and employee 16 years later.
Im Se Mi stars as Seo Ha Jin, a woman who marries her first love after a 10-year relationship, only to divorce a year later. She then channels her energy into running a pub while taking control of her life. Kwak Si Yang plays Kim Shin Won, the head of the design department at Yongseong Department Store. Though he’s always full of love, he’s never had the chance to experience his first love.
Newly released stills show Seo Ha Jin gripping Kim Shin Won's waist, supporting him with one hand as if he might fall backward. The scene, where Seo Ha Jin confidently holds the tall, sturdy Kim Shin Won while he gently rests in her arms, offers a fresh twist on a familiar trope, adding a surprising charm.
The two draw attention with an intense gaze as if time has stopped. Both appear surprised with wide eyes, yet there's a subtle spark of excitement between them. Their chemistry heightens anticipation, increasing excitement for viewers.
This raises questions about why Seo Ha Jin and Kim Shin Won adopt this leaning-back posture and how their mutual attraction, starting from their first meeting, will unfold.
The production team explained, “Unlike the thrilling office romance between Mun Ka Young and Choi Hyun Wook, the romance between Im Se Mi and Kwak Si Yang presents a more honest and deeper story.” They added, “Like their fateful first meeting, viewers will experience the mature charm of an adult romance.”
“My Dearest Nemesis” will premiere on February 17 at 8:50 p.m. KST.
In the meantime, watch Kwak Si Yang in “Lovers of the Red Sky”:
[viki-watchnow url=https://www.viki.com/tv/37634c-lovers-of-the-red-sky]
In the meantime, watch Im Se Mi in “Desperate Mr. X”:
[viki-watchnow url=https://www.viki.com/tv/39509c-desperate-mr-x]
Source (1) %23divorce)
