Cannabis extract relieves chronic back pain, major trial finds

Cannabis could offer a new solution for chronic back pain, according to a recent study. A phase 3 clinical trial found that a cannabis-based extract, VER-01, significantly reduced chronic low back pain (CLBP) compared to placebo.

The trial, which involved 820 patients across multiple centers worldwide, was published Tuesday in Nature Medicine. Results from the 12-week double-blind phase showed greater pain relief among patients taking VER-01 (average reduction of 1.9 points on the pain scale) compared to placebo (1.4 points). Benefits also included better sleep, improved physical function, and higher quality of life, with even stronger results in patients with a neuropathic pain component.

Long-term treatment of up to one year sustained these improvements, with no evidence of tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal. Side effects were mostly mild to moderate, such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and dry mouth, though more frequent than in the placebo group.

«VER-01 shows potential as a new, safe and effective treatment for CLBP», the researchers concluded, adding that the findings «highlight the importance of further research with VER-01 in other chronic pain conditions and suggest it could play an important role in modern pain management».