An experimental drug derived from marijuana has shown promising results in alleviating chronic back pain, according to a major study. Conducted by a German pharmaceutical company, Vertanical, the study adds to growing evidence of cannabis's potential for managing certain types of pain. The results were recently published in the journal Nature.
Promising Results From Large-Scale Study
The clinical trial involved 800 participants suffering from chronic lower-back pain, one of the most common forms of chronic pain. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Vertanical's proprietary liquid cannabis extract or a placebo over a 12-week period.
Patients taking the medication reported an average pain reduction of nearly 2 points on an 11-point pain scale, compared to a 1.4-point reduction for those on the placebo. This difference was deemed statistically significant. Additionally, participants receiving the cannabis drug reported improved physical function and better sleep.
Dr. Matthias Karst, the lead author of the study and a pain specialist at Hannover Medical School, emphasized the drug’s potential: "The new findings show cannabis can significantly reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with chronic low-back pain, without the safety concerns commonly associated with opioids." Karst is also a consultant for Vertanical.
A Safer Alternative to Traditional Treatments?
Currently, long-term pain relief options are limited. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can cause side effects such as indigestion and stomach ulcers if used over extended periods. Meanwhile, opioids, once widely prescribed for chronic pain, are now avoided due to their high risk of addiction and severe side effects, which contributed to an ongoing opioid epidemic.
The new cannabis drug differs from other marijuana-based treatments as it contains THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, albeit in extremely low doses. Vertanical explained that these microdoses are far lower than what is found in recreational cannabis products, such as edibles sold in U.S. dispensaries. Importantly, the company reported no signs of drug abuse, dependence, or withdrawal among the trial participants.
Side Effects and Patient Dropouts
While the drug demonstrated effectiveness, some side effects were observed, including dizziness, headache, fatigue, and nausea. These side effects resulted in 17% of participants discontinuing the trial early. However, researchers noted this dropout rate was lower than what is typically seen with opioids.
Patients who continued with a six-month extension of the trial experienced sustained pain relief, further underscoring the drug’s potential benefits.
Regulatory Pathway
Health authorities in Canada and Europe have previously approved cannabis-based medications for conditions like nerve pain associated with multiple sclerosis. In the U.S., however, marijuana remains illegal under federal law, even though many states have legalized it for medical and recreational use.
Vertanical has already applied for regulatory approval in Europe and is in discussions with U.S. authorities to design a study that could support FDA approval. The study offers hope to millions of Americans seeking alternatives to traditional pain management options.
A Step Forward in Chronic Pain Treatment
Chronic pain remains one of the most commonly reported conditions among medical marijuana users in state-run programs. However, rigorous research into its efficacy for back pain has been limited. This new study represents a significant step forward, providing data that could help validate cannabis as a viable treatment option for chronic pain.
With further regulatory approvals and clinical trials, Vertanical’s drug could offer a promising alternative for patients seeking relief from lower-back pain without the risks associated with opioids or other conventional medications.