Hear from Mariana Coelho, Clinical Project Scientist at DSM, on the impact of pain, the potential benefits of CBD, and how emerging science is creating new possibilities for innovation in the pharmaceutical space
- CBD (cannabidiol) is emerging as a promising ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry, where it may have an important therapeutic role in many healthcare settings, such as in the treatment of chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer, and mood disorders.
- Chronic pain affects approximately 10% of the world’s population1 and is notoriously difficult to treat because it is unique to each person who experiences it. In addition, it reduces the quality of life by affecting sleep and mood, and can even lead to depression. For these reasons, there is a high demand for novel solutions, such as CBD-based pharmaceuticals, to treat chronic pain.
- Read on to discover more about the potential of CBD in the field of pharmacological pain treatment and how new research in this field could benefit millions of patients worldwide.
Why is CBD getting more and more attention in the pharmaceutical industry?
The market for CBD (cannabidiol) based medicines is growing rapidly, driven by increasing scientific research indicating the therapeutic potential of this ingredient. In fact, there are currently more than 160 active clinical trials exploring the role of CBD in a wide variety of health areas, such as CNS (central nervous system) diseases, pain disorders, and cancer, among others.2
This new scientific interest in the medical use of CBD follows the recent discovery of the endocannabinoid system in humans in the early 1990s. The endocannabinoid system is a large and complex cellular signaling system that is believed to regulate multiple physiological functions, including cognition, sleep, mood, inflammation, and pain perception.
It has been theorized that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system through modulation of its CB1 and CB2 receptors, thus exerting its (many) potential effects on the body. Therefore, although the existence of CBD has been known for decades, these recent advances mean that CBD is now recognized as a promising new therapeutic ingredient throughout the pharmaceutical industry.
The growing relevance of chronic pain
Chronic pain affects a large and growing number of patients worldwide and is one of the main reasons for seeking medical intervention. Worldwide, one in 10 people develops chronic pain each year, with a prevalence as high as 20-25% in some countries and regions.1 In addition to experiencing the pain itself, patients with chronic pain often also suffer serious negative effects on their mood, sleep, and physical and mental function. When inadequately treated, it can have a devastating impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Chronic pain is difficult to treat because of the complexity of its multiple underlying causes. It is also individual to each person experiencing it, which further complicates treatment. Opioids are commonly prescribed to control pain. They are generally considered safe when used for a short period of time, for example, to treat acute pain. However, people who need long-term pain treatment may be at risk of developing opioid dependence.
Given the continuing challenges of pain management, along with the potential negative consequences of long-term opioid use, physicians and their patients are increasingly looking for novel solutions that effectively and safely relieve pain symptoms.
CBD’s promising role in pain management
CBD is a relatively safe ingredient with non-psychoactive properties and low abuse potential, making it an attractive candidate for pain relief and a potential alternative to opioid-based pharmaceuticals. The ingredient is already popular in the nutraceutical space, with 60% of CBD consumers using it for pain management.3 However, its relevance in the pharmaceutical market is also growing.
There are a number of ongoing studies examining the effects of CBD in a variety of pain-related indications, such as cancer-related pain, musculoskeletal pain, and fibromyalgia, which will further clarify CBD’s potential in the management of these conditions.
Our understanding of the role of CBD is still evolving, and more scientific studies are needed to investigate and confirm its mechanism of action and efficacy as a drug for pain management. However, it is possible that CBD may help unlock and expand treatment possibilities for patients in the field of chronic pain.
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