Scientists at the University of Sydney are researching if cannabidiol – a non-intoxicating component of cannabis – could help treat symptoms of people living with chronic pain, particularly from spinal cord injuries.
The 20-week trial, now underway, involves participants taking either CBD or a placebo, then undergoing blood tests, MRIs and EEG scans to see if the treatment improves pain.
Campbell Higgins, 25, who suffered a serious spinal cord injury two years ago and as a result now lives in permanent pain, said that if the treatment works, it would be life-changing for him.
“Something like chronic pain affects absolutely everything, from waking up in the middle of the night in pain, to every single activity,” he told 9News.
“Trials like this are massively important because there is so little data around injuries like mine and we don’t know how to treat them.”
So far, 10 people are taking part, five having already finished. However, researchers still need another 30 to get involved.
It’s hoped the study will be completed by the end of 2024 – but that’s only enough participants come forward.
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“The MRIs are looking at functional, structural and chemical changes in the brains of people with neuropathic pain and we are observing if those brains change with the CBD treatment,” Rebecca Robertson from the University of Sydney said.
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New South Wales Health is funding the $1.7 million research, which is being conducted at Neuroscience Research Australia.
“Such research is particularly important particularly in the field of spinal cord injury because we don’t have good quality research,” Dr Sachin Shetty, Director of Spinal Injuries Unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital said.
The results will be revealed once the study is finalised.
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