Full-spectrum cannabis extracts reduced chronic pain by 50% or more in most patients in an open-label study
In an open-label study of 88 chronic pain patients, 58% reported at least 50% pain reduction with full-spectrum cannabis extracts, and 26% reduced or stopped other pain medications.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
51 of 88 patients achieved 50% or greater pain reduction. 38 reported similar reductions in anxiety, 48 in insomnia. 23 patients reduced or discontinued other analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs. Adverse effects were mild and reversible.
Key Numbers
88 patients (ages 35-88). 51 (58%) achieved 50%+ pain reduction. 38 (43%) achieved 50%+ anxiety reduction. 48 (55%) achieved 50%+ insomnia reduction. 23 (26%) reduced or stopped other analgesics. Appetite was the only variable that did not improve.
How They Did This
Prospective, open-label, longitudinal study of 88 patients (ages 35-88) with chronic pain using HPLC-analyzed full-spectrum cannabis (THC and CBD) extracts, assessed with visual analogue scales for pain and numerical scales for quality of life.
Why This Research Matters
This adds to real-world evidence that cannabis extracts can serve as effective adjuvants for chronic pain, with the added benefit of reducing reliance on other analgesics in about a quarter of patients.
The Bigger Picture
The opioid crisis has driven interest in alternative pain management. Open-label studies like this contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting cannabis as an adjuvant, though controlled trials remain the gold standard.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Open-label design with no placebo control or blinding. Expectancy and placebo effects likely contribute to observed improvements. No standardized cannabis doses across patients.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a randomized controlled trial show similar rates of analgesic reduction?
- ?Which chronic pain conditions responded best?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 58% achieved 50%+ pain reduction; 26% reduced other pain medications
- Evidence Grade:
- Open-label study without controls or blinding provides supportive evidence but cannot distinguish cannabis effects from placebo or natural variation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Effectiveness of Full Spectrum Cannabis Extracts in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: An Open Label Study.
- Published In:
- Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy, 39(3), 346-352 (2025)
- Authors:
- F, Aragon, M, Lozada, G, Bigatti, R, González-José, S, Kochen, I, McCarthy
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06425
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis help with chronic pain?
In this uncontrolled study, 58% of patients reported at least 50% pain reduction with full-spectrum cannabis extracts. However, without a placebo group, the true treatment effect is uncertain.
Did patients reduce their other pain medications?
Yes, 26% of patients reduced or discontinued other analgesics during the study. This is a notable finding, though it needs confirmation in controlled trials.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06425APA
F, Aragon; M, Lozada; G, Bigatti; R, González-José; S, Kochen; I, McCarthy. (2025). Effectiveness of Full Spectrum Cannabis Extracts in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: An Open Label Study.. Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy, 39(3), 346-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2025.2517778
MLA
F, Aragon, et al. "Effectiveness of Full Spectrum Cannabis Extracts in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: An Open Label Study.." Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2025.2517778
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Effectiveness of Full Spectrum Cannabis Extracts in the Trea..." RTHC-06425. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/f-2025-effectiveness-of-full-spectrum
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.