University researchers have found that an oral spray substance based on extracts from cannabis plants could become crucial in the fight against cancer.

A group of cancer patients, who were not taking any other painkilling medicine, had pain levels reduced by 30 percent when testing the spray.

Scientists from the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre tested the cannabis-based medicine on 177 patients over a two-week period.

The team, based at the University of Edinburgh, hopes that the treatment could be used alongside traditional painkillers in future.

The 30 percent reduction in pain reported by patients is viewed by doctors as a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Doctors say the spray works by activating molecules in the body called cannabinoid receptors. When triggered by cannabis, these receptors can stop nerve signals being transmitted from the site of pain to the brain.

The medical spray has been developed so that it does not affect the mental state of the patient, therefore not producing a ‘high’ normally associated with cannabis consumption.

The authors warn that the results do not support the recreational smoking of cannabis, which can increase risk of cancer.

The research is published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.

Professor Marie Fallon, who led the study, said: “These early results are very promising and demonstrate that cannabis-based medicines may deliver effective treatment for people with severe pain.

Prescription of these drugs can be very useful in combating debilitating pain, but it is important to understand the difference between their medical and recreational use.”

Published 26 January 2010

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