Microdose Weed Treatment Is Coming for Chronic Pain — And It’s Backed by Real Science

A new cannabis-derived medication is making waves in the medical world after successfully reducing chronic back pain in a large clinical study. German pharmaceutical company Vertanical tested its low-THC formula on 800 patients, showing notable improvements in pain levels, sleep, and mobility.

Dr. Matthias Karst, lead researcher and pain expert from Hannover Medical School, said, “This treatment significantly reduced pain and improved physical function in people with chronic lower back pain, without the safety issues linked to opioids.”

The drug, delivered as a liquid extract, contains very small amounts of THC, enough to help, but not enough to cause a high. Over 12 weeks, participants taking the medication reported nearly twice the pain relief compared to those on a placebo.

Side effects were manageable and included dizziness and nausea. Only 17 percent of patients dropped out, a lower rate than what’s typically seen with opioid treatments.

Vertanical plans to seek approval in Europe and is working with U.S. regulators on the path to FDA clearance.

This could be a turning point for millions struggling with back pain and looking for safer alternatives to opioids and over-the-counter medications.