Study: THC and CBD Combination Reduces Pain, Improves Jaw Function in Patients With Chronic TMD
- The study found that a balanced THC/CBD combination significantly reduced pain and improved jaw function in adults with chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
- Twenty adults with chronic myofascial pain from TMD underwent a 90-day placebo phase followed by a 90-day THC/CBD treatment, with doses increasing from 2 mg to 10 mg daily.
- Participants showed notable improvements including reduced pain scores (from 7.35 to 3.50), increased jaw opening (from 45.9 mm to 49.9 mm), and nearly eliminated symptoms like allodynia and hyperalgesia.
- Although the study was small, the results suggest potential benefits of THC/CBD therapy for TMD, but larger trials are needed to confirm these findings and clarify mechanisms.
New research published in Clinics (Sao Paulo) found that a combination of THC and CBD significantly reduced pain and improved jaw function in adults suffering from chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a condition that often leads to persistent orofacial pain and limited movement. The study was conducted by researchers from Universidade Estadual Paulista and Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. TMD can be difficult to treat, with many patients experiencing only limited relief from conventional therapies. Given the known anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of cannabinoids, researchers set out to evaluate whether a balanced THC/CBD therapy could provide meaningful benefits.
The study involved 20 adults diagnosed with chronic myofascial pain related to TMD. Participants completed two consecutive 90-day phases: first a placebo period, followed by a 90-day course of sublingual THC/CBD in a 1:1 ratio. The dose began at 2 milligrams per day and gradually increased each week until reaching 10 milligrams per day.
Researchers assessed pain intensity, muscle sensitivity, jaw mobility and pain sensitivity. By the end of the cannabinoid treatment phase, participants experienced significant improvements across all measures compared to both baseline and placebo. Average pain scores fell from 7.35 to 3.50 on a 10-point scale. Maximum mouth opening increased from 45.9 millimeters to 49.9 millimeters. Functional pain dropped by roughly 90%, and symptoms such as allodynia and hyperalgesia were nearly eliminated.
Placebo effects were described as minimal.
While the study was relatively small, the findings suggest that a balanced THC/CBD therapy may offer meaningful relief for patients with chronic TMD. Researchers note that larger randomized trials are needed to confirm the results and better understand how cannabinoids produce these effects.