The origin of all pain is inflammation and the inflammatory response. The biochemical mediators of inflammation include cytokines, neuropeptides, growth factors and neurotransmitters. When inflammation occurs, the body’s own messenger is produced at an increased rate, thus enhancing pain perception. Your body releases chemicals that transmit pain signaling through the recipients of the brain through the spinal cord if you stub or touch something cold. The brain then transmits the message of pain back to the body. Nevertheless, even if the brain itself is the source of pain, there are no pain-sensitive nerves. The structures around the brain are the only ones that have pain.

Medical cannabis appears to be superior to placebo therapy for cancer-related pain. Studies conducted so far on cannabis for pain show the effect of the medicinal plant on neuropathic pain, so-called nerve pain, and prove this scientifically. Cannabinoids usually cannot produce complete freedom from pain, but pain may be perceived as diminished and pain-related sleep disturbances may be significantly improved.

Dronabinol is the international name for delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (DELTA 9 THC), the medicinally active ingredient of the hemp plant. Dronabinol has antiphlogistic, analgesic, anxiolytic, antiemetic, muscle relaxant, sedative, and appetite stimulant effects. Unlike opiates or cocaine, the addictive potential and overall toxicity are very low.

The areas of application of this specific cannabinoids are diverse: from spasticity in MS or stroke to neuropathic pain in polyneuropathy, spinal cord trauma, shingles or in phantom limb pain, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis pain or fibrosis, for example after radiotherapy. According to Jungck, dosing should begin cautiously at 2.5 mg in eight- to 12-hour intervals and be increased cautiously until the desired effect is achieved.