Cannabis for Peripheral Neuropathy: Can THC Help Relieve Nerve Pain?

Peripheral neuropathy refers to a number of conditions that involve damage to your peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nerves are located outside of the brain and spinal cord and are responsible for sending sensory information throughout the body. When these nerves are damaged, symptoms can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain.

Often shortened to “neuropathy,” this type of neuropathic pain has been observed in people since medieval times.¹ Now, doctors and scientists recognize over 100 types of peripheral neuropathy that are experienced by at least 20 million people in the United States.

Peripheral neuropathy cannot be cured, but it can often be slowed by addressing underlying medical conditions that increase risk of nerve damage. In a groundbreaking 2022 pilot study, researchers discovered a treatment that has the potential to decrease overall pain in people with diabetes-related neuropathy.²

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy can be acquired or genetic. In some cases of acquired neuropathy, experts aren’t able to identify a cause. But in others, this type of nerve damage results from another medical condition or disorder.

Causes of peripheral neuropathy include: 

• Diabetes, the most common cause of neuropathy
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain viral or bacterial infections
• Inherited disorders
• Tumors
• Disorders involving bone marrow
• Other diseases, like liver disease and hypothyroidism
• Alcoholism
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Certain medications
• Injury that causes nerve pressure
• Vitamin deficiencies

Signs & Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Symptoms of neuropathy can vary greatly and are dependent on the type of nerve affected:

• Sensory nerves send signals that help you to taste, touch, smell, and see
• Motor nerves send signals that help with movement
• Autonomic nerves control the automatic functions of your body, like blood pressure and perspiration

If you are experiencing peripheral neuropathy, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Numbness, prickling, or tingling in hands or feet
• Sharp pain
• Extreme sensitivity when touched
• Pain that doesn’t seem to have a cause
• Impaired coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Feelings of gloves or socks on hands or feet when none are present
• Sensitivity to heat
• Issues with perspiration
• Problems with bowel, bladder, or digestion
• Sudden drops in blood pressure

Peripheral neuropathy can affect one or more nerves at a time, and diagnosis can be difficult because of how varied symptoms can be. Symptoms can sometimes be improved by targeting the underlying condition that causes them. 

How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathic pain cannot always be treated with traditional painkillers, so complementary and alternative treatments for neuropathy are often sought out. Researchers have made great strides in studying whether using cannabis for peripheral neuropathy is an effective treatment.

• In a 2008 double-blind study of 38 patients with neuropathy, participants smoked marijuana or a placebo cigarette during treatment. Experts found an analgesic effect due to cannabis use, although at higher doses, some effects on cognition were noted.³

• In 2013, the same group of researchers studied the effects of vaporized cannabis on neuropathic pain that was resistant to common treatments. In 39 patients, low to medium doses of cannabis were sufficient enough to decrease pain by 30%. Any adverse events were minimal and temporary.⁴

• A 2015 medical review of 28 randomized clinical trials noted high quality evidence that medical marijuana is useful in cases of neuropathic pain. More research is needed to determine how cannabis can be most efficacious for this condition.⁵

• While both THC and CBD appear to have analgesic effects, CBD does not seem to cause the same adverse psychoactive or behavioral events that are observed with THC. In a 2017 study, experts noted that CBD has the ability to decrease pain and inflammation, even when THC is not present.⁶

Current research shows that marijuana may have an analgesic effect against neuropathy, but further studies are needed to qualify these results and to determine the course of treatment that is the safest and most effective. Both THC and CBD seem to be able to reduce neuropathic pain, but CBD may produce fewer unwanted side effects. 

While chronic pain is a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in some states, it is important to work with your healthcare provider before adding cannabis to your treatment plan for neuropathy. Cannabis is mostly well-tolerated in people with peripheral neuropathy, but it can interact with certain medications, impair cognition, and may not be safe for people with a psychotic disorder.⁷

In states where medical marijuana is legal, MMJ doctors may recommend cannabis products for neuropathy if the perceived benefits outweigh any potential risks or side effects. 

Whole plant cannabis products, CBD-rich products, or those that contain blends of THC and CBD are most commonly recommended in cases of neuropathic pain. Smoked marijuana appears to exert an analgesic effect, but precisely dosed products like tinctures, capsules, and edibles, and topical cannabis like lotions, balms, and oils may also be used. 

Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation

To determine if your state considers peripheral neuropathy to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.

If you find that your state recognizes peripheral neuropathy or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.

How NuggMD Can Help

NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 21 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. 

We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Peripheral Neuropathy

Can you use CBD cream for peripheral neuropathy? 

Both THC and CBD have been studied for their effects on neuropathic pain and have been determined to exert analgesic properties. It can be theorized that topical CBD cream may help to reduce localized neuropathic pain. CBD appears to produce a similar effect to THC without negative side effects. More study is needed to figure out the most effective course of treatment.

What cannabis strains are best for peripheral nerve damage?

Look for strains that are rich in CBD to address pain resulting from peripheral nerve damage: Harlequin, ACDC, and Charlotte’s Web, to name a few. Cannabis with high amounts of THC may still decrease neuropathic pain, but may come with increased risk of adverse effects on cognition. 

Is smoking marijuana bad for peripheral neuropathy?

A 2008 study observed decreased neuropathic pain in patients who smoked cannabis compared to patients who smoked a placebo. While this indicates that smoking marijuana may improve neuropathy symptoms, it must be stated that some negative side effects are still possible, although often minimal and temporary. Also, the risks of smoking cannabis are not yet fully understood and should not be ignored. 

Sources

1. Heydari, Mojtaba, Mesbah Shams, Mohammad Hashem Hashempur, Arman Zargaran, Behnam Dalfardi, and Afshin Borhani-Haghighi. 2015. “THE ORIGIN of the CONCEPT of NEUROPATHIC PAIN in EARLY MEDIEVAL PERSIA (9TH-12TH CENTURY CE).” Acta Medico-Historica Adriatica: AMHA 13 Suppl 2: 9–22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26966748/.

2. Sahba, Kyan, Lee Berk, Mark Bussell, Everett Lohman, Francis Zamora, and Lida Gharibvand. 2022. “Treating Peripheral Neuropathy in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Intraneural Facilitation: A Single Blind Randomized Control Trial.” Journal of International Medical Research 50 (8): 030006052211093. https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605221109390

3. Wilsey, Barth, Thomas Marcotte, Alexander Tsodikov, Jeanna Millman, Heather Bentley, Ben Gouaux, and Scott Fishman. 2008. “A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial of Cannabis Cigarettes in Neuropathic Pain.” The Journal of Pain 9 (6): 506–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2007.12.010.

4. Wilsey, Barth, Thomas D. Marcotte, Reena Deutsch, Ben Gouaux, Staci Sakai, and Haylee Donaghe. 2013. “Low Dose Vaporized Cannabis Significantly Improves Neuropathic Pain.” The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society 14 (2): 136–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2012.10.009.

5. Hill, Kevin P. 2015. “Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems.” JAMA 313 (24): 2474. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.6199.

6. Campos, Alline C., Manoela V. Fogaça, Franciele F. Scarante, Sâmia R. L. Joca, Amanda J. Sales, Felipe V. Gomes, Andreza B. Sonego, Naielly S. Rodrigues, Ismael Galve-Roperh, and Francisco S. Guimarães. 2017. “Plastic and Neuroprotective Mechanisms Involved in the Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol in Psychiatric Disorders.” Frontiers in Pharmacology 8 (May). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00269.

7. MODESTO-LOWE, V., R. BOJKA, and C. ALVARADO. 2018. “Cannabis for Peripheral Neuropathy: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown.” Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 85 (12): 943–49. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.85a.17115.

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.