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Combined THC and CBD to treat pain in EB
Author(s) -
Schräder N.H.B.,
Duipmans J.C.,
Molenbuur B.,
Wolff A.,
Jonkman M.F.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.17662
Subject(s) - cannabidiol , cannabis , medicine , addiction , chronic pain , cannabinoid , drug , itching , tetrahydrocannabinol , sedation , anesthesia , psychiatry , dermatology , receptor
Summary EB is blistering condition, in which even minor knocks and friction can cause the skin to blister or ulcer. There are three main types reflecting the severity and location on the body of the blistering, EB simplex, junctional EB, and dystrophic EB. Pain is an extremely debilitating symptom of all the sub‐types of EB. Daily use of opioids, a class of drug which includes powerful painkillers such as morphine, is the current mainstay of EB pain relief. Opioids often fail to effectively manage this pain and are associated with development of tolerance, meaning that with repeated use, it takes a higher dose to get the initial benefits, and addiction. In this study from the Netherlands, three adult EB patients with chronic, severe pain were treated with pharmaceutical grade cannabinoid‐based medication (CBM) oil. All three participants reported a significant reduction in pain levels experienced whilst undergoing CBM oil treatment relative to their previous drug regime. An additional benefit was reduction in itching. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds which occur naturally in the cannabis plant. Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids, the two most abundant being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBD, unlike THC, does not possess psychoactive properties, meaning it does not alter mood, perception and behaviour in the ways often associated with recreational use of cannabis. The CBM used in this case was a mixture of CBD and THC in an oil base, which seemed to avoid unwanted side effects such as sedation and intoxication. The treatment was administered under the tongue. The cases reported in this study indicate that there may be a role for CBM oil in EB treatment, if these initial findings are confirmed in more in‐depth controlled scientific studies.