Cannabinoids in pain management

Desai, Yash Mahendra and Patil, Rupali Bhushan (2025) Cannabinoids in pain management. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25 (3). pp. 876-884. ISSN 2581-9615

Chronic pain is a complicated experience that includes physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions, creating significant challenges for individuals. Approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain. Managing this condition can be difficult and traditional pain medications, such as opioids, may not always be effective. As a result, researchers are actively studying new pain treatments that use the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which has been linked to different functions that contribute to homeostasis i.e. stability of your internal environment. For example, if some outside force like pain or fever imbalances your body’s homeostasis, your ECS comes in to help your body return to its ideal operation. There is ongoing study that aims to change how pain signals are processed, showing promise in treating difficult pain conditions. In modern times, cannabis use has changed greatly for spiritual and business reasons, influenced by shifts in culture, religion, and economics. According to ancient Indian scriptures called the Vedas, cannabis is considered one of the five special plants with spiritual and healing importance. It is referred to as a remedy for various ailments in Ayurveda. Cannabis was once thought to be beneficial for both short-term and long-lasting pain relief, but recent research has raised doubts about these claims. Limited evidence supports various types of chronic pain like nerve and joint pain, and headache; some evidence of chronic pain related to multiple cerebro-spinal sclerosis and also medical profession acknowledge the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis for treatment of specific conditions, such as cancer.