International Association for the Study of Pain Presidential Task Force on Cannabis and Cannabinoid Analgesia: research agenda on the use of cannabinoids, cannabis, and cannabis-based medicines for pain management
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The President of the International Association for the Study of Pain established a task force on cannabis and cannabinoid analgesia to systematically examine the evidence on (1) analgesic pharmacology of cannabinoids and preclinical evidence on their efficacy in animal models of injury-related or pathological persistent pain; (2) the clinical efficacy of cannabis, cannabinoids, and cannabis-based medicines for pain; (3) harms related to long-term use of cannabinoids; as well as (4) societal issues and policy implications related to the use of these compounds for pain management. Here, we summarize key knowledge gaps identified in the task force outputs and propose a research agenda for generating high-quality evidence on the topic. The systematic assessment of preclinical and clinical literature identified gaps in rigor of study design and reporting across the translational spectrum. We provide recommendations to improve the quality, rigor, transparency, and reproducibility of preclinical and clinical research on cannabis and cannabinoids for pain, as well as for the conduct of systematic reviews on the topic. Gaps related to comprehensive understanding of the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics and drug formulation aspects, are discussed. We outline key areas where high-quality clinical trials with cannabinoids are needed. Remaining important questions about long-term and short-term safety of cannabis and cannabinoids are emphasized. Finally, regulatory, societal, and policy challenges associated with medicinal and nonmedicinal use of cannabis are highlighted, with recommendations for improving patient safety and reducing societal harms in the context of pain management.
Date Issued
2021-07-01
Date Acceptance
2021-03-10
Citation
Pain, 2021, 162 (Suppl 1), pp.S117-S124
ISSN
0304-3959
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Start Page
S117
End Page
S124
Journal / Book Title
Pain
Volume
162
Issue
Suppl 1
Copyright Statement
© 2021 International Association for the Study of Pain.
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34138827
PII: 00006396-202107001-00011
Subjects
Analgesia
Analgesics
Animals
Cannabinoids
Cannabis
Humans
Pain
Pain Management
Reproducibility of Results
Systematic Reviews as Topic
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States