Turin, Italy: The daily administration of plant-derived cannabis extracts significantly reduces pain and other symptoms in patients with a primary diagnosis of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS), according to data published in the journal Pain Medicine. BMS is a neuropathic pain condition of unknown origin that can impact the roof the mouth, as well as the tongue, gums, lips, and side of the cheeks.
A team of Italian researchers treated subjects with extracts (1 gram of cannabis in 10grams of olive oil) over a period of four weeks.
Investigators reported: “Subjects showed a statistically significant improvement over time in terms of a clinical remission of the oral symptoms. Levels of anxiety and depression also changed statistically, displaying a favorable improvement. No serious reactions were detailed. None of the patients had to stop the treatment due to adverse events.”
Authors concluded: “To date, no studies have provided evidence of a reliable and safe treatment for long-term management of BMS both in terms of symptom relief and quality of life. … This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study analyzing the role of cannabinoids in the management of unresponsive BMS. … In this pilot evaluation, the C. [cannabis] sativa oil provided was effective and well tolerated in patients with primary BMS. Further bigger and properly defined randomized controlled trials, with different therapeutic approaches or placebo control, are needed, however.”
Full text of the study, “Evaluating the suitability and potential efficacy of cannabis sativa oil for patients with primary Burning Mouth Syndrome: A prospective, open-label, single-arm pilot study,” appears in Pain Medicine.