The Use of Medical Cannabis for Pain Relief in Osteoarthritis: A Comparative Analysis with Traditional Painkillers
Abstract:
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis as an alternative therapy for osteoarthritis (OA)-related pain compared to traditional painkillers.
Design: A comparative analysis of existing clinical and preclinical studies examining the analgesic effects of canna binoids in OA. The review includes studies on CB1 and CB2 receptor interactions, patient-reported outcomes, and adverse effects.
Results: Medical cannabis demonstrates potential for pain relief in OA patients, particularly through modulation of CB1 and CB2 receptors. Some clinical studies report superior pain management and improved quality of life compared to NSAIDs and opioids. However, variability in effectiveness is observed due to differences in dosages, administration methods, and patient comorbidities. Long-term safety concerns, including cognitive side effects and dependency risks, remain unresolved.
Conclusions: Medical cannabis presents a promising alternative to conventional analgesics for OA pain, with po tential benefits in reducing opioid dependency and side effects. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to establish standardized dosing, long-term safety, and cost-effectiveness before widespread clinical adop tion.
