Plant-derived cannabis extracts provide superior relief and offer other clinically meaningful advantages over opioids in patients suffering from chronic low back pain, according to clinical trial data published in the journal Pain and Therapy.
A team of German investigators compared the safety and efficacy of a proprietary cannabis extract containing 2.5 mg of THC and standardised percentages of CBD and CBG (cannabigerol) to commercially available opioids in a cohort of 392 older adults with intractable lower back pain. Study participants were randomly designated to use either opioids or cannabis extracts for six months.
Patients taking cannabis extracts experienced greater short-term and long-term pain relief, as well as superior sleep quality, researchers reported. Those who consumed opioids were far more likely to experience constipation as compared to those taking cannabis extracts. Participants who consumed extracts did not experience withdrawal symptoms following the study’s conclusion.
“In summary, this study provides robust evidence that... [plant-derived cannabis extracts] offers better tolerability, as well as superior pain relief and sleep quality compared to opioids in patients with CLBP [chronic low back pain]”, the study’s authors concluded. “A promising, non-addictive, well-tolerated and effective alternative, particularly for long-term use… a promising new pharmacological option within a multimodal treatment approach that could fundamentally shift the paradigm in the treatment of chronic pain”.
4 October, 2025