Broad-spectrum cannabis oil reversed fibromyalgia-like symptoms in mice
A low-THC broad-spectrum cannabis oil effectively reversed pain sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and depressive-like behavior in a mouse model of fibromyalgia, with effects lasting through 14 days of treatment.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Oral broad-spectrum cannabis oil (0.1-3 mg/kg) inhibited both mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal allodynia in a single dose. Repeated daily treatment for 14 days maintained pain reduction and also reduced depressive-like behavior. The oil worked through spinal, supraspinal, and peripheral routes, with direct spinal and supraspinal administration completely inhibiting pain responses.
Key Numbers
Effective at doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg orally. Single dose on day 4 inhibited pain. Four-day treatment reduced pain 1 hour after each dose. 14-day treatment mitigated pain, thermal sensitivity, and depressive behavior.
How They Did This
Reserpine-induced fibromyalgia model in mice. Tested single and repeated doses of broad-spectrum cannabis oil (low THC) via oral, intraplantar, spinal, and supraspinal administration. Measured mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal allodynia, depressive behavior, anxiety, and locomotor activity.
Why This Research Matters
Fibromyalgia affects millions and has limited treatment options. This study suggests that low-THC cannabis oil could address multiple symptom dimensions without the psychoactive effects of high-THC products.
The Bigger Picture
The effectiveness at very low doses and through multiple routes of administration suggests cannabis oil may act on pain pathways at multiple levels of the nervous system.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Mouse model of fibromyalgia may not fully replicate the human condition. Reserpine-induced pain is one model among several. Doses may not translate directly to humans.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would these low doses be effective in humans?
- ?How does the multi-cannabinoid profile of broad-spectrum oil compare to pure CBD for fibromyalgia?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Effective at 0.1 mg/kg; reversed pain and depression over 14 days
- Evidence Grade:
- Thorough preclinical study testing multiple routes and durations, but limited to a single mouse model.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Broad-spectrum cannabis oil ameliorates reserpine-induced fibromyalgia model in mice.
- Published In:
- Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 154, 113552 (2022)
- Authors:
- Ferrarini, Eduarda Gomes, Paes, Rodrigo Sebben, Baldasso, Gabriela Mantovani, de Assis, Pollyana Mendonça, Gouvêa, Murilo Chaves, Cicco, Paola De, Raposo, Nádia Rezende Barbosa, Capasso, Raffaele, Moreira, Eduardo Luiz Gasnhar, Dutra, Rafael Cypriano
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03837
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did the cannabis oil only help with pain?
No. In addition to reducing pain sensitivity, 14 days of treatment also reduced depressive-like behavior induced by the fibromyalgia model, suggesting it may address the emotional symptoms that often accompany fibromyalgia.
Would this cause a high?
The study used broad-spectrum cannabis oil with low THC concentrations specifically to reduce psychoactive effects while maintaining therapeutic potential from the combination of other cannabinoids.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03837APA
Ferrarini, Eduarda Gomes; Paes, Rodrigo Sebben; Baldasso, Gabriela Mantovani; de Assis, Pollyana Mendonça; Gouvêa, Murilo Chaves; Cicco, Paola De; Raposo, Nádia Rezende Barbosa; Capasso, Raffaele; Moreira, Eduardo Luiz Gasnhar; Dutra, Rafael Cypriano. (2022). Broad-spectrum cannabis oil ameliorates reserpine-induced fibromyalgia model in mice.. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 154, 113552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113552
MLA
Ferrarini, Eduarda Gomes, et al. "Broad-spectrum cannabis oil ameliorates reserpine-induced fibromyalgia model in mice.." Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113552
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Broad-spectrum cannabis oil ameliorates reserpine-induced fi..." RTHC-03837. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ferrarini-2022-broadspectrum-cannabis-oil-ameliorates
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.