# Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Cannabinoid Treatments in Rheumatic Diseases > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-treatments-rheumatic-diseases-efficacy-safety/ > **Published:** 2022-05-24T16:05:21-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:16:37-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of cannabinoid treatments rheumatic diseases through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. --- The [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/), which comprises signaling lipid molecules classified as endocannabinoids and the receptors that they bind to, is widely expressed throughout all organs of the human body. This system plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis, including modulating pain and inflammation. For this reason, exogenous compounds of herbal or synthetic origins (such as the cannabis-derived THC and its synthetic analogs) with similar properties to endocannabinoids are believed to hold potential for pain and inflammation relief since they can interact with and regulate the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/). Since chronic pain is a very common and prominent symptom of rheumatic diseases – which are autoimmune and [inflammatory diseases](https://cedclinic.com/citral-cannabinoid-receptor-2-activation-pain-relief/), cannabinoids have been proposed to be potential drug candidates for the management of rheumatic pain. However, according to a systematic review, until 2015, only 4 short-term studies on 203 patients (58 with rheumatoid arthritis, 71 with fibromyalgia, and 74 with osteoarthritis) focusing on [cannabis-based medicine](https://cedclinic.com/former-nfl-quarterback-urges-athletes-to-consider-cbd-products/) existed. Noticeably, although 4 [medical cannabis products](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-infused-products-skin-diy-topical-recipes/) were available: herbal cannabis administered by weight, 2 synthetic oral drugs – dronabinol and nabilone, and 1 spray of cannabis extract – nabiximol, no study included the herbal form. The 3 synthetic cannabinoids were found to have statistically significant effect on pain in 2 studies, sleep in 2, and improved quality of life in 1. No serious adverse events were reported during the study duration; however, mild to moderate dizziness, cognitive problems, drowsiness, and nausea were common. Finally, the osteoarthritis study was prematurely terminated due to futility and for all 3 completed studies, the risk of bias was high. Therefore, experts cautioned that there was insufficient evidence to recommend cannabinoid medication for the management of chronic pain in rheumatic patients. 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[Read More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-chronic-pain-evidence-review/) [Cannabinoids for Nerve Pain: What the Best Clinical Evidence Says About Sleep and Pain Relief](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-therapy-neuropathic-pain-sleep-relief/) Clinical evidence on cannabinoids addressing neuropathic pain and sleep disturbances. [Explore Insights](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-therapy-neuropathic-pain-sleep-relief/) [Endocannabinoid System Clinical Research: Pain Management Trial](https://cedclinic.com/full-spectrum-cannabis-extract-pain-trial/) Details on clinical trials targeting the endocannabinoid system for pain management. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/full-spectrum-cannabis-extract-pain-trial/) Have thoughts on this? 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