Cannabis-Based Drug Significantly Reduces Back Pain

A new study has found that an experimental cannabis-based drug may provide meaningful relief for patients suffering from chronic back pain. The clinical trial, which involved 800 patients, is adding weight to the growing body of research highlighting the therapeutic potential of cannabis for pain management.

The research, conducted by German drugmaker Vertanical, tested a proprietary liquid extract that combines cannabinoids in carefully controlled doses. Unlike over-the-counter medications or opioids, this cannabis-based drug was shown to reduce pain without the same risks of dependence or abuse that have long plagued traditional painkillers.

How the Cannabis-Based Drug Works

Unlike Epidiolex, an FDA-approved treatment for rare epileptic seizures that contains only CBD, Vertanical's new formula includes microdosed THC—the psychoactive compound in cannabis. The amount is so small that patients did not experience intoxication. This makes the cannabis-based drug unique, as it balances therapeutic cannabinoids while minimizing unwanted side effects.

Patients in the study reported improvements not only in pain levels but also in sleep quality and physical function. After 12 weeks, those taking the cannabis-based drug reported a nearly two-point reduction in pain on an 11-point scale, compared with just 1.4 points in the placebo group.

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