Medicinal use of Cannabis in the control of chronic non-cancer pain: a narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc21(48)4162Keywords:
Cannabis, Chronic pain, Family practice, Primary health care, CannabinoidsAbstract
The therapeutic use of Cannabis has been widely debated worldwide, with growing evidence and regulatory advances. In the context of primary health care (PHC), its use is still underexplored, despite the relevance of chronic pain as a common complaint. Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the state of the art regarding the medicinal use of Cannabis extracts, focusing on their application in chronic pain and the strategic role of the family and community physician in their prescription. Methods: This is a narrative literature review based on searches in the PubMed, LILACS, Embase, and SciELO databases. Scientific articles in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were included. Results: The studies analyzed show that cannabinoids act on receptors of the endocannabinoid system, modulating pain perception. The most common adverse effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, and mild cognitive changes. There is promising evidence regarding the reduction in the use of opioids and psychotropic drugs in patients who use Cannabis therapeutically, although gaps remain regarding its long-term safety and efficacy, especially in the PHC context. Conclusions: The literature reviewed suggests that Cannabis use may represent a viable therapeutic alternative for managing chronic pain, with the potential to reduce the use of psychotropic drugs. However, specific guidelines, professional training, and further clinical studies in the PHC setting are needed.
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