Microdosing Cannabis Relieves Pain Without Serious Side Effects

By Dr. Leah BrooksPsychedelic Research

Microdosing Cannabis Relieves Pain Without Serious Side Effects

Researchers from Tel Aviv University have published the results of a study on the effectiveness of microdosing cannabis for treating chronic pain. The experts found that taking THC in small doses alleviates pain without causing serious side effects.

Cannabis Reduces Pain Intensity

The study involved 27 patients suffering from neuropathic pain, radiculopathic pain (caused by compression of spinal nerve roots), phantom limb pain (pain in an amputated limb), or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS, also known as Sudeck’s syndrome, which develops after limb injuries). Volunteers received either a placebo, 0.5 mg, or 1 mg of THC using the Syqe Inhaler, a portable device designed to vaporize cannabinoids from granulated dried plant material. The decarboxylation process occurs through heating, and the device’s software allows for precise THC dosing from 0.5 to 1.5 mg, with a margin of error between 7% and 12.1%.

The researchers conducted several tests and observed the following:

  • 15 minutes after taking 0.5 mg or 1 mg of THC, the average pain intensity among volunteers decreased by 24.97% and 39.42%, respectively;
  • The pain-relieving effect of the cannabinoid lasted for 150 minutes;
  • 95% of side effects experienced by patients were classified as moderate;
  • The number and severity of negative reactions depended on the THC dosage;
  • Patients’ cognitive functions did not deteriorate after taking THC.

The most common side effects of THC included:

  • Euphoria or intoxication (20.29% of participants);
  • Cough (10.14%);
  • Weakness (9.17%);
  • Anxiety (8.2%);
  • Dry mouth (7.24%);
  • Dizziness (6.76%);
  • Drowsiness (6.28%);
  • Nausea (4.83%).

Thirty minutes after consumption, average diastolic blood pressure dropped by 4% (with a 0.5 mg THC dose) or 5.7% (with a 1 mg THC dose). Heart rate decreased by 7.7% in those who took 0.5 mg THC and increased by 7.4% in those who took 1 mg THC. Both heart rate and blood pressure returned to normal within 60 to 150 minutes after using the inhaler.

Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis Persist at Low Doses

Medical cannabis users in Israel typically consume about 15 mg of THC per day. Microdosing allows this amount to be reduced to 2–4 mg of THC daily. If a small dose of cannabinoid is taken four times a day, the total duration of pain relief can reach 10 hours.

Project leader Elon Eisenberg commented on the results: “We concluded that a low dose of cannabis has a therapeutic effect on the body without causing cognitive impairment, which significantly improves the patient’s quality of life and safety.”

Perry Davidson, CEO of Syqe Medical (the company that developed the inhaler), claims that human sensitivity to THC is much higher than previously thought. In his view, a lower dose of cannabinoid may increase treatment effectiveness by causing less intense negative reactions. Syqe Medical plans to launch inhaler sales in Europe, the USA, Canada, and Australia after receiving regulatory approval.

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