cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Eases HIV-Related Nerve Pain Marijuana Eases HIV-Related Nerve Pain Posted by CN Staff on February 12, 2004 at 15:01:04 PT By Reuters Health Source: Reuters San Francisco -- For people with nerve damage that can result from HIV infection, smoking marijuana seems to relieve the pain they experience, according to the results of a small pilot study.Diffuse nerve pain, or polyneuropathy, is a significant problem for many people with HIV infection. Pre-clinical research findings suggest that cannabis-like compounds may be effective for treating neuropathic pain, Dr. Cheryl Jay of the University of California, San Francisco and colleagues noted this week at the 11th Annual Retrovirus Conference. In a trial, 16 HIV-infected subjects with neuropathy were given three marijuana cigarettes each day for seven days. The cigarettes were dispensed by the pharmacy at San Francisco General Hospital. All of the patients reported previous experience smoking marijuana but had not done so for 30 days prior to the trial.Fourteen of the participants were men, and their average age was 43 years. They had had neuropathy for an average of 6 years.Reductions in pain were assessed using a 0-to-100 visual scale. The aim was to achieve a 30 percent reduction in average daily pain, "which is a pretty typical standard used in pain studies, and is considered a clinically meaningful amount of pain relief," Jay told Reuters Health.Average pain scores dropped from 47 at the start of the study to 20 at the end of the seven-day period. Twelve of the 16 participants reached the 30-percent goal in reduction of pain, Jay said.A trial with participants randomized to receive marijuana or an inactive placebo has now been started, she added, and 20 out of 50 participants have been enrolled so far.Source: Reuters Published: February 12, 2004Copyright: 2004 Reuters Limited Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmHIV and Cannabis May Mix After Allhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17112.shtmlUCSF Study Finds No Harm to HIV+ Patients http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17093.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by mayan on February 12, 2004 at 18:24:52 PT Bunk-Weed I bet you're right, medicinal toker. If they used some of Emery's weed they would have experienced much greater pain relief while having to smoke less. And why smoke cigarettes? Paper is unnecessary and may increase harshness.The way out...Kean feels the wrath of irate 9/11 families: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=56&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0Former German Defense Minister Confirms CIA Involvement in 9/11: http://www.prisonplanet.com/021104vonbuelow.html 9/11 Truth NYC: http://www.ny911truth.org/9/11 International Inquiry - San Francisco, March 26-28th: http://www.deceptiondollar.com/Inquiry911.htmMariani vs. Bush: http://www.septembereleventh.org/ellenmariani.php [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by charmed quark on February 12, 2004 at 16:22:44 PT However, a double blind study would be hard These were all experienced smokers, so they were maybe biased. Double blind studies are needed. But since cannabis is psychoactive, just about everybody would know if they were getting placebo instead of cannabis.I actually think that it does help this sort of pain, which is not well treated by other methods. The anedoctal evidence is very strong. It'll just be hard to prove.I say err on the side of caution and let anyboy use it who feels they might benefit. It is very safe compared to other pharmaceuticals, so there is no reason to restrict it.-Pete [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by medicinal toker on February 12, 2004 at 16:05:45 PT tip of the iceberg Plus, I assume this study used NIDA weed. So actual medical quality cannabis would provide superior relief, it would follow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Virgil on February 12, 2004 at 16:04:57 PT Now was that so hard? It is all so immediate is what gets me. It is like here try this. How do you feel now? GW was about to put a big embarassment on US research and now they have to get with the program- as slow as possible of course. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 12, 2004 at 15:04:58 PT Very Good News This was a small study but it works for nerve pain and we know that but it's great to read. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment