WHY: EVIDENCE FOR CANNABINOID-BASED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
There has been a significant amount of research in the field of cannabinoid-based medicinal products, which includes evidence coming from cannabinoid-based medicines and medicinal cannabis. Learn more about the data that supports the various medicinal benefits of cannabis.
For which medical conditions can a patient use medicinal cannabis?
The approval of medicinal cannabis may be different in each country. For information about the approval of medicinal cannabis in certain countries, please follow the links below:
Are there any clinical trials with cannabinoid-based medicinal products?
Yes. Over 600 clinical trials have been conducted with cannabinoid-based medicinal products, including medicinal cannabis or cannabinoids like CBD and THC.1 Some clinical trials have been large, and some quite small; some of them have been sponsored by academic institutions, some by organizations, and some by companies. The trials span a wide range of indications, including psychotic disorders, many forms of pain, anxiety, schizophrenia, HIV/AIDS, depression, and other conditions.
What is the role of cannabinoid-based medicinal products in treating pain?
The body has its own biological pathways for dealing and coping with pain. This includes the activation of the endocannabinoid system, by the release of endocannabinoids, chemicals the body produces to help control pain. Cannabinoids, which are found in medicinal cannabis, act on this same system.2
Do any guidelines support the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating pain?
Multiple pain societies and scientific bodies have issued recommendations for the use of cannabis-based medicinal products for pain management.3 The guidelines supporting the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for pain management may be different in each country. For information about the guidelines supporting the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for pain management in certain countries, please follow the links below:
What is the role of cannabinoid-based medicinal products in treating spasticity?
Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness in your muscles. It often occurs in patients with multiple sclerosis. The body has its own biological pathways for managing muscle tone. This includes the endocannabinoids, chemicals the body produces to regulate neurons that manage muscle tone. External cannabinoids, which are found in medicinal cannabis, act on this same system.4
Do any guidelines support the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating spasticity?
Several medical societies have issued recommendations for the use of cannabis-based medicines for spasticity, for example the European Academy of Neurology.5 The guidelines supporting the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating spasticity may be different in each country. For information about the guidelines supporting the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating spasticity in certain countries, please follow the links below:
What is the role of cannabinoid-based medicinal products in treating loss of appetite?
Severe appetite loss is a common symptom of many chronic illnesses and is frequently associated with cancer and HIV/AIDS. The body has its own biological mechanisms for managing appetite. This includes the endocannabinoids, chemicals the body produces that participate in the management of appetite. External cannabinoids, which are found in cannabinoid-based medicinal products, act on this same system.6
Do any guidelines support the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating loss of appetite?
Unfortunately, there are no guidelines yet that strongly recommend the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating loss of appetite.
What is the role of cannabinoid-based medicinal products in treating nausea and vomiting?
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects for patients with cancer, and even certain other serious diseases. These symptoms can be caused by the disease itself, certain medications (i.e., chemotherapy), or even radiation therapy. Nausea and vomiting are processes controlled by the central nervous system and the brain, and they have their own biological pathways of regulation. This includes the endocannabinoid system, as the endocannabinoids produced by our body can participate in the control of nausea and vomiting.7 External cannabinoids, which are found in cannabinoid-based medicinal products, are intended to act the same way. That is why many researchers and physicians believe it is possible that cannabinoids could be used to treat nausea and vomiting.8
Do any guidelines support the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating nausea and vomiting?
Several medical societies have issued recommendations for the use of cannabis-based medicinal products for nausea and vomiting. The guidelines supporting the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating nausea and vomiting may be different in each country. For information about the guidelines supporting the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating nausea and vomiting in certain countries, please follow the links below:
What is the role of cannabinoid-based medicinal products in treating epilepsy?
The body has its own biological pathways that regulate stimulation and relaxation of the brain. These are systems that are disbalanced in epilepsy. One of these pathways includes endocannabinoids.9 External cannabinoids, namely cannabidiol (CBD), have various mechanisms that can help regulate the hyperexcitability observed in the brain of epileptic patients.9
Do any guidelines support the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating epilepsy?
Unfortunately, since cannabidiol was only recently approved for epilepsy, there are no guidelines yet that strongly recommend the use of cannabinoid-based medicinal products for treating epilepsy.
References
- US National Library of Medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov: Cannabis studies. Accessed September 1, 2021: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=Cannabis&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=
- Di Marzo V, Piscitelli F. The endocannabinoid system and its modulation by phytocannabinoids. Neurotherapeutics. 2015 Oct;12(4): 692-8.
- Häuser W, Finn DP, Kalso E, et al. European Pain Federation (EFIC) position paper on appropriate use of cannabis-based medicines and medical cannabis for chronic pain management. Eur J Pain. 2018 Oct;22(9): 1547-64.
- Centonze D. Advances in the management of multiple sclerosis spasticity: multiple sclerosis spasticity nervous pathways. Eur Neurol. 2014 Sep;72 Suppl 1: 6-8.
- Solari A, Giordano A, Sastre-Garriga J, et al. EAN guideline on palliative care of people with severe, progressive multiple sclerosis. Eur J Neurol. 2020 Aug;27(8): 1510-29.
- Ezeoke CC, Morley JE. Pathophysiology of anorexia in the cancer cachexia syndrome. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2015 Dec;6(4): 287-302.
- Martin BR, Wiley JL. Mechanism of action of cannabinoids: how it may lead to treatment of cachexia, emesis, and pain. J Support Oncol. 2004 Jul-Aug;2(4): 305-14; discussion 314-6.
- Tramèr MR, Carroll D, Campbell FA, Reynolds DJ, Moore RA, McQuay HJ. Cannabinoids for control of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting: quantitative systematic review. BMJ. 2001 Jul;323(7303): 16-21.
- Perucca E. Cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy: hard evidence at last? J Epilepsy Res. 2017 Dec;7(2): 61-76.
