Neuropathic Pain
Pain caused by damage or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system. Characterized by burning, shooting, or electric shock-like sensations. One of the best-evidenced indications for medical cannabis.
In Depth
Neuropathic pain is notoriously difficult to treat with conventional analgesics. Multiple RCTs and systematic reviews support cannabinoids (particularly inhaled cannabis and nabiximols) for neuropathic pain, including HIV-associated neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and central neuropathic pain in MS. The mechanism involves CB1 receptor-mediated reduction of pain signal transmission in the spinal cord and brain, as well as peripheral CB1 and CB2 receptor activation reducing sensitization of nociceptors.
Related Terms
Further Reading
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