CBD-Rich Medical Cannabis Stopped Recurring Pancreatitis Flares After 24 Years of Conventional Treatment Failures
A 54-year-old woman with a 24-year history of chronic pancreatitis experienced substantial pain reduction and cessation of acute episodes after starting CBD-rich medical cannabis.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
After 24 years of failed conventional treatments including cholecystectomy, enzyme supplementation, multiple ERCPs, and stent placements, a CBD-rich medical cannabis formulation led to substantial pain reduction, cessation of acute episodes, improved appetite, and enhanced quality of life.
Key Numbers
1 patient, age 54. 24-year disease history. Prior treatments: cholecystectomy, enzyme supplementation, repeated ERCPs, stent placements. CBD-rich cannabis started February 2024. Outcomes: substantial pain reduction, cessation of acute episodes, improved appetite, enhanced quality of life.
How They Did This
Case report of a 54-year-old woman with chronic pancreatitis caused by recurrent acute pancreatitis, Oddi sphincter stenosis, and microlithiasis. Treatment with CBD-rich medical cannabis was initiated in February 2024 under healthcare provider supervision after exhausting conventional options.
Why This Research Matters
Chronic pancreatitis pain is notoriously difficult to manage, and this case illustrates medical cannabis as a potential option when conventional treatments fail, consistent with the larger NIS database findings.
The Bigger Picture
While a single case report cannot establish efficacy, this case adds to the growing evidence base for cannabinoid use in refractory pancreatic pain. The success after decades of failed treatments is notable.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report. No control or comparison. Placebo effect possible. Specific CBD and THC doses and formulation details not provided in the abstract. No long-term follow-up described.
Questions This Raises
- ?What CBD dose and formulation were used?
- ?Would the improvements persist long-term?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report provides the lowest level of clinical evidence, despite the compelling narrative.
- Study Age:
- Treatment initiated February 2024.
- Original Title:
- Medical cannabis for the management of pain in chronic pancreatitis with recurrent exacerbations: a case report.
- Published In:
- Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 55 (2025)
- Authors:
- Spaccavento, Felice Antonio(2), De Virgilio Suglia, Cesare(2), Tafuri, Silvio(2), De Trizio, Angela, Giannuzzi, Rossella, Cavallera, Filomena, Turco, Fabio
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07700
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis cure chronic pancreatitis?
This case report shows one patient's significant improvement with CBD-rich medical cannabis after conventional treatments failed. However, a single case cannot establish that cannabis treats pancreatitis.
What other treatments had been tried?
Over 24 years, the patient underwent gallbladder removal, enzyme supplements, multiple endoscopic procedures, and stent placements, none of which provided lasting relief.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07700APA
Spaccavento, Felice Antonio; De Virgilio Suglia, Cesare; Tafuri, Silvio; De Trizio, Angela; Giannuzzi, Rossella; Cavallera, Filomena; Turco, Fabio. (2025). Medical cannabis for the management of pain in chronic pancreatitis with recurrent exacerbations: a case report.. Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00303-w
MLA
Spaccavento, Felice Antonio, et al. "Medical cannabis for the management of pain in chronic pancreatitis with recurrent exacerbations: a case report.." Journal of cannabis research, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00303-w
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Medical cannabis for the management of pain in chronic pancr..." RTHC-07700. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/spaccavento-2025-medical-cannabis-for-the
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.