Researchers tested VER-01, a cannabis-based extract, on patients with persistent lower back pain. Patients reported clear pain relief over several months. Scientists designed VER-01 to provide therapeutic effects without the addiction risks or serious side effects associated with opioids. Chronic lower back pain affects an estimated 619 million people worldwide and represents the most common cause of disability. Traditional treatments, including NSAIDs and opioids, either fail to relieve pain fully or carry significant health risks. Experts say new therapies like VER-01 could fill a crucial gap in treatment options.
Clinical Trial Demonstrates Significant Benefits
The trial enrolled 820 adults with chronic lower back pain who had insufficient relief from conventional medicines. Researchers divided participants into two groups: one received VER-01, and the other received a placebo. Patients recorded pain on a 0–10 scale. After three months, the VER-01 group reported an average 1.9-point reduction, while the placebo group dropped only 0.6 points. A six-month extension showed VER-01 patients experienced an additional 1.1-point improvement and reported better sleep and mobility. Researchers published the results in Nature Medicine, calling the relief clinically significant. Jan Vollert, a neuroscience lecturer at the University of Exeter, emphasized the importance of further trials to confirm the findings.
Safety Profile and Distinctions from Recreational Cannabis
VER-01 contains 2.5 milligrams of THC per dose, along with other cannabis compounds, but it does not induce a high like smoked marijuana. Patients mainly experienced mild dizziness, nausea, or temporary drowsiness. Researchers observed no evidence of dependency or drug abuse. Vollert stressed that patients should not use recreational cannabis to self-treat pain. He compared VER-01 to smoking cannabis as eating hazelnuts is to eating Nutella: similar origins, but completely different effects. The study team plans future trials comparing VER-01 directly with opioids, aiming to offer a safer, effective alternative for chronic back pain worldwide.
