Cannabinoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain: A review of randomized clinical trials.

Authors

Keywords:

Neuropathic pain, Canabidiol, Tetrahidrocanabinol

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a complex chronic condition resulting from lesions or dysfunctions of the somatosensory nervous system and is associated with persistent painful symptoms. Its pharmacological management remains a significant clinical challenge, and cannabinoids have been proposed as a potential therapeutic alternative due to their modulatory action on receptors of the endocannabinoid system. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cannabinoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This is a narrative literature review based on a search conducted in the PubMed database, considering randomized controlled trials published between September 2020 and September 2025, written in English and with full-text availability in open access. The terms “Cannabinoids”, “Cannabis”, “THC”, “CBD”, and “Cannabidiol” were used, combined with the descriptor

“Neuropathic Pain” using the boolean operator AND. Three studies met the inclusion criteria. Two clinical trials evaluating the use of CBDV, CBD, and THC, either alone or in combination, did not demonstrate a significant reduction in pain intensity, although a favorable safety profile was observed. Another study reported physiological effects of THC on autonomic and central modulation of pain, without a direct impact on pain intensity. Based on the analyzed evidence, it is concluded that the clinical efficacy of cannabinoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain remains inconclusive regarding their therapeutic potential. The limitations of this review include the search conducted in only one database, the restriction to open-access studies, and the small number of clinical trials included, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Keywords: Neuropatic pain, canabidiol, tetrahidrocanabinol.

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Author Biographies

Amábily Paula Moreira Marota, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Acadêmica do Curso de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Junia Maria Miranda Ribeiro, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Acadêmica de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Lyvia Victoria Silva Eduardo, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Acadêmica de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Júlia Rocha Gomes, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Acadêmica de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Isadora Cavalheiro Vilela Barros, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Acadêmica de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Maria Eduarda Miranda Lima, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

Acadêmica de Medicina, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga - FADIP

References

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Published

2026-06-16

How to Cite

Paula Moreira Marota, A., Maria Miranda Ribeiro, J., Victoria Silva Eduardo, L., Rocha Gomes, J., Cavalheiro Vilela Barros, I., Eduarda Miranda Lima, M., & Paiva-Oliveira, E. L. (2026). Cannabinoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain: A review of randomized clinical trials. REVISTA CIENTÍFICA DA FAMINAS, 21(1), e20261095. Retrieved from https://periodicos.faminas.edu.br/index.php/RCFaminas/article/view/1095

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026): REVISTA CIENTÍFICA DA FAMINAS

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Revisão

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Copyright (c) 2026 Amábily Paula Moreira Marota, Junia Maria Miranda Ribeiro, Lyvia Victoria Silva Eduardo, Júlia Rocha Gomes, Isadora Cavalheiro Vilela Barros, Maria Eduarda Miranda Lima, Eustáquio Luiz Paiva-Oliveira

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