Cannabis oil improved pain, anxiety, and depression in 17 patients with burning mouth syndrome | Research

The takeaway

In a pilot study of 17 patients with burning mouth syndrome, a cannabis sativa oil applied for 4 weeks produced significant improvements in oral pain, anxiety, and depression, with benefits persisting through 24 weeks of follow-up.

Oral medicine specialists, chronic pain patients with burning mouth syndrome, dentists

Significant pain improvement persisted through 24 weeks of follow-up

What the researchers found

All 17 patients showed statistically significant improvement in oral pain intensity over time (assessed by VAS, Present Pain Intensity, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and OHIP). Anxiety and depression levels also improved significantly. No serious adverse events occurred and no patients discontinued treatment.

Why it matters

Burning mouth syndrome has limited treatment options and significantly affects quality of life. This pilot provides initial evidence that cannabis oil may address both the pain and the psychological burden of the condition.

The numbers in context

17 patients; 4-week treatment; 24-week follow-up; significant improvement in VAS, Present Pain Intensity, McGill Pain Questionnaire, OHIP scores; anxiety and depression improved; 0 serious adverse events; 0 treatment discontinuations

How the study worked

Prospective, open-label, single-arm pilot study. 17 patients with primary burning mouth syndrome received cannabis sativa oil extract (1g cannabis in 10g olive oil) for 4 weeks. Pain, neuropathic pain, anxiety, depression, and adverse events assessed at end of treatment and through 24 weeks follow-up.

What this study cannot tell us

Open-label with no placebo or control group. Very small sample (17 patients). Expectation effects likely significant given cannabis's cultural reputation. Single center. Cannabis extract composition may vary between preparations.

How to read the evidence

Small, open-label pilot without controls. Provides a proof-of-concept signal but cannot establish efficacy.

When this study was published

Published in 2021.

The bigger picture

Burning mouth syndrome is often treatment-resistant, making any positive signal noteworthy. The simultaneous improvement in pain, anxiety, and depression aligns with cannabis acting on multiple symptom domains rather than just pain.

Questions still open

Would benefits hold in a placebo-controlled trial? Which cannabinoid components (THC vs. CBD) drive the effect in burning mouth syndrome?

Common questions

What is burning mouth syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome is a chronic condition characterized by a burning sensation in the mouth without any visible abnormality. It is difficult to treat and often accompanied by anxiety and depression.

How was the cannabis oil prepared?

The extract was made from standardized cannabis plant material using the Romano-Hazekamp extraction method, diluted in olive oil (1g cannabis in 10g oil). It was prepared by specialized pharmacies, not commercially available products.

Read the original research

Evaluating the Suitability and Potential Efficiency of Cannabis sativa Oil for Patients with Primary Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study.

Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 22(1), 142-151

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Gambino, Alessio; Cabras, Marco; Panagiotakos, Evangelos; Calvo, Federico; Macciotta, Alessandra; Cafaro, Adriana; Suria, Marco; Haddad, Giorgia El; Broccoletti, Roberto; Arduino, Paolo Giacomo. (2021). Evaluating the Suitability and Potential Efficiency of Cannabis sativa Oil for Patients with Primary Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study.. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 22(1), 142-151. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnaa318