EFEITOS DA UTILIZAÇÃO DE CANNABIS E CANABIDIOL COMO COADJUVANTE NO MANEJO DA DOR CRÔNICA

Chronic pain (CP), defined as persistent pain lasting more than 3 to 6 months, is a common condition that leads to excessive opioid use and results in high public health costs. Seeking natural alternatives, cannabis has emerged due to its active components, THC and CBD, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study reviewed the literature to evaluate the effects of medicinal cannabis use in the management of CP. Twelve relevant articles, published between 2021 and 2024, were selected. The results indicate that cannabis can be effective in reducing pain and decreasing opioid use, although transient side effects are common. Despite limitations, such as the lack of established protocols and the need for more research on long-term adverse effects, cannabis shows potential to improve the quality of life of CP patients and reduce public health expenditures.