Full-spectrum cannabis extracts reduced chronic pain by 50% or more in most patients in an open-label study | Research

The takeaway

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.

Pain management clinicians, patients with chronic pain exploring cannabis options, and researchers studying cannabis as an analgesic adjuvant.

58% achieved 50%+ pain reduction; 26% reduced other pain medications

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

Open-label study without controls or blinding provides supportive evidence but cannot distinguish cannabis effects from placebo or natural variation.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

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.

Questions still open

Would a randomized controlled trial show similar rates of analgesic reduction? Which chronic pain conditions responded best?

Common 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.

Read the original research

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

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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