Inhaled Cannabis for Nerve Pain: 1 in 5-6 Patients Benefit
What Researchers Found About Neuropathic Pain and Cannabis
The Study at a Glance
Published
The Journal of Pain, 2015
Researchers
Multiple institutions (USA)
Study Type
Meta-AnalysisParticipants
178 patients · Short-term (days to weeks)
Key Finding
Inhaled cannabis may provide short-term relief for 1 in 5 to 6 patients with neuropathic pain. Number needed to treat = 5.6. Pragmatic trials are needed to evaluate long-term benefits and risks.
Key Finding: Inhaled cannabis may provide short-term relief for 1 in 5 to 6 patients with neuropathic pain. Number needed to treat = 5.6. Pragmatic trials are needed to evaluate long-term benefits and risks.
What Researchers Studied About Neuropathic Pain and Cannabis
Chronic neuropathic pain is the most frequent condition affecting the peripheral nervous system and remains difficult to treat.
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data examining inhaled cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain.
The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42011001182) and searched Cochrane Central, PubMed, EMBASE, and AMED.
How This Meta-Analysis Was Conducted
Researchers included all randomized controlled trials comparing inhaled cannabis with placebo for chronic painful neuropathy.
Individual patient data from 178 participants with 405 observed responses across 5 RCTs were analyzed.
A hierarchical random-effects Bayesian responder model was used to calculate the population-averaged treatment effect.
Neuropathic Pain Treatment Results
The Main Results:
- 1Inhaled cannabis provides short-term reductions in chronic neuropathic pain
- 2Number needed to treat (NNT) = 5.6 (95% credible interval 3.4 to 14)
- 31 in every 5 to 6 patients treated will experience benefit
- 4Bayes factor = 332 (posterior probability of effect = 99.7%)
- 5Results were insensitive to model assumptions, priors, and parameter choices
- 6Limited by small number of studies and participants
- 7Short follow-up, allocation concealment issues, considerable attrition
By the Numbers
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| NNT = 5.6 | Number needed to treat: 5-6 patients must be treated for 1 to benefit |
| 178 patients | Individual patient data analyzed from 5 randomized controlled trials |
| 99.7% | Posterior probability that inhaled cannabis has a real effect (Bayes factor 332) |
| 1 in 5-6 | Proportion of neuropathic pain patients who experience short-term relief |
Number needed to treat: 5-6 patients must be treated for 1 to benefit
Individual patient data analyzed from 5 randomized controlled trials
Posterior probability that inhaled cannabis has a real effect (Bayes factor 332)
Proportion of neuropathic pain patients who experience short-term relief
What This Means for Neuropathic Pain Patients
If you have chronic nerve pain, this meta-analysis provides useful numbers for understanding your chances of benefit from inhaled cannabis.
About 1 in every 5 to 6 patients with neuropathic pain will experience short-term relief from inhaled cannabis. The statistical certainty of this effect is very high (99.7% probability).
However, this also means that 4-5 out of 6 patients will NOT experience meaningful benefit.
Important limitations: all studies were short-term (days to weeks), so long-term benefits and risks are unknown. The studies also had issues with how patients were assigned to groups and significant dropout rates.
The researchers recommend "pragmatic trials to evaluate long-term benefits and risks."
Quick Answers: Neuropathic Pain and Cannabis
Direct answers based on the findings of this study:
Research Summary: Answers are based on published peer-reviewed studies and represent research findings, not medical recommendations. Individual results may vary. Always consult a healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.
How likely is cannabis to help my nerve pain?
1 in 5-6 patients benefit (NNT = 5.6). A meta-analysis of 178 patients found there is 99.7% certainty this effect is real for short-term relief from inhaled cannabis, but 4-5 out of 6 will not benefit.
Source: Andreae et al., The Journal of Pain, 2015 (PMID: 26362106)
What is the NNT for cannabis and neuropathic pain?
NNT is 5.6, meaning 5-6 patients must try inhaled cannabis for 1 to benefit. This comes from a Bayesian meta-analysis of 178 patients from 5 RCTs with 99.7% probability of effect.
Source: Andreae et al., The Journal of Pain, 2015 (PMID: 26362106)
What are the limitations of cannabis research for nerve pain?
Key limitations exist. Small studies (5 RCTs, 178 patients), short follow-up (days to weeks), allocation concealment issues, and considerable dropout. Long-term benefits and risks remain unknown.
Source: Andreae et al., The Journal of Pain, 2015 (PMID: 26362106)
This is educational content, not medical advice
The research summarized here is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and what works in studies may not work the same way for everyone. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan or starting medical cannabis therapy.
Important Limitations
This study has some caveats to keep in mind when interpreting the results:
- Small number of studies and participants (5 RCTs, 178 patients)
- Short follow-up only (days to weeks)
- Shortcomings in allocation concealment
- Considerable attrition (dropout)
- Long-term effects unknown
The Bottom Line on Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain
This Bayesian meta-analysis of 178 patients from 5 RCTs found inhaled cannabis provides short-term relief for 1 in 5-6 patients with neuropathic pain (NNT = 5.6). The statistical certainty is high (99.7% probability of effect). However, 4-5 out of 6 patients will not benefit, and long-term effects are unknown. Short-term use may be reasonable for treatment-resistant nerve pain.
Do You Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
If you're living with Neuropathic Pain, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card. Our licensed physicians can evaluate you from home via telehealth.
Related Research & Resources
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Source
Andreae MH, Carter GM, Shaparin N, et al. "Inhaled Cannabis for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data" The Journal of Pain. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.07.009
Important Information
Study Age: This study was published 11 years ago. Newer research may have updated or refined these findings.
Not Medical Advice: This research summary is for educational purposes only. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any treatment.
Individual Variation: Research findings represent group averages. Your individual response to cannabis may differ based on genetics, other medications, underlying conditions, and many other factors.
Last reviewed: January 25, 2026
Important Notices
Research Summary Disclaimer
This content represents our interpretation of published scientific research for educational purposes. It should not be used to make treatment decisions without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary from study findings.
FDA Notice
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cannabis is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any medical condition except specific prescription medications.
Copyright & Fair Use
Research summaries are provided under fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107) for educational purposes. We provide brief summaries with attribution, not full reproductions. All studies remain the intellectual property of their respective authors and publishers.
Data Sources
Study information sourced from PubMed®, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by NLM, NIH, or the federal government.
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FAQs: Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain
What are my chances of benefit from inhaled cannabis for nerve pain?
1 in 5-6 patients experience short-term relief (NNT = 5.6). This means 4-5 out of 6 will not benefit meaningfully from inhaled cannabis for neuropathic pain.
How certain is the evidence for inhaled cannabis and nerve pain?
Very certain statistically. The Bayes factor was 332, meaning there is a 99.7% probability that inhaled cannabis has a real effect. However, only short-term data exists.
Should I try inhaled cannabis for neuropathic pain?
Unknown long-term. This meta-analysis suggests 1 in 5-6 patients benefit short-term, but long-term benefits and risks are unknown. Researchers recommend further trials before widespread use.