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Cannabis may help to alleviate symptoms of Tic Douloureux such as neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia. This is drawing from preliminary and anecdotal evidence.
Facial Pain in Tic Douloureux
Image source Flickr
Since cannabis was first legalized for medicinal use in the US in 1996 (California), researchers have been working hard to ascertain the potential uses and efficacy of cannabis in treating different medical conditions. In the US, each state has the liberty to determine the conditions that “qualify” for medicinal cannabis treatment, of course based on the available science. For example, Minnesota has approved 17 conditions for cannabis treatment.
When it comes to Tic Douloureux, some states such as Florida recognize neuropathic pain (the major symptom of tic douloureux) as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.
This 5 minute read answers the following questions about Tic Douloureux and Medicinal Cannabis.
Table of Contents
- Brief introduction to Tic Douloureux?
- How Does Cannabis Work?
- Can cannabis treat Tic Douloureux?
- Tic Douloureux; what is the best treatment?
Let’s dive in!
Brief Introduction to Tic Douloureux?
Approximately 1 in 800 people develop tic douloureux in their lifetime, mostly after they advance beyond the age of 50. This condition usually presents with extreme facial pain that is often described as sharp, stabbing or burning. The pain is usually so severe that this condition has earned the moniker “suicide disease,” going by the number of patients that commit suicide after developing this painful condition.
How Does Cannabis Work as Medicine?
Cannabis contains hundreds of bioactive compounds; cannabinoids are the center of interest for medicinal cannabis. To date, over 100 cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis.
The endocannabinoids system (ECS), which is present in mammals, modulates different vital functions in the body including the perception of pain. Cannabinoids interact with the ECS through receptors that are found in different cells in the body, including brain cells. Delta-9-THC and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most investigated cannabinoids in cannabis.
Considering that severe pain is the most adverse symptom of Tic Douloureux, it would be interesting to find out whether the anti-nociceptive effects of cannabis can be applied to Tic Douloureux pain.
Can Cannabis Treat Tic Douloureux?
There is a growing amount of evidence to suggest that cannabinoids such as THC are effective in relieving neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia in Tic Douloureux.
Additionally, cannabinoids may be used to promote relaxation, sleep, and appetite, which are symptoms that are commonly experienced by patients suffering from Tic Douloureux.
The antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids are a subject of interest to researchers as a potential for the clinical management of tic douloureux pain.
Research has also shown that CBD has neuroprotectant effects and may offer relief for this condition.
However, higher doses of THC may cause anxiety and worsen Tic Douloureux pain. Therefore, further research needs to be carried out to establish the effective dose of cannabinoids that can relieve Tic Douloureux pain.
Cannabis as medicine for tic douloureux
Tic Douloureux: What is the Best Treatment?
In one study, researchers concluded that “cannabis‐based medicines may increase the number of people achieving 50% or greater pain relief compared with placebo.” Compared to a placebo, cannabis-based medicines caused more adverse events. However, there are no studies that have compared cannabis-based medicines directly to traditional treatments for Tic Douloureux.
This is a potential area of interest for clinicians and researchers, especially considering the high suicide rate (about 50%) that is associated with this disease as a result of severe excruciating pain.
If you or your loved one is suffering from Tic Douloureux, cannabis might be of help. Cannabis may help to relieve symptoms such as neuropathic pain, hyperalgesia, and anxiety which occur frequently with Tic Douloreux.
However, you should first talk to your physician who can give you better guidance on whether you should use cannabis to relieve your symptoms. Cannabis works differently for different people because each person has a unique endocannabinoid system. Have this at the back of your mind even as you consider exploring cannabis treatment for Tic Douloureux.
If this article has been helpful, please feel free to leave a comment in the section below.
References
- Liang, Y. C., Huang, C. C., & Hsu, K. S. (2004). Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in trigeminal neuralgia. Current drug targets. CNS and neurological disorders, 3(6), 507–514. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15578967/
- Maroon, J., & Bost, J. (2018). Review of the neurological benefits of phytocannabinoids. Surgical neurology international, 9, 91. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938896/
- Mücke, M., Phillips, T., Radbruch, L., Petzke, F., & Häuser, W. (2018). Cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 3(3), CD012182. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6494210/
