#PainManagement

A new wave of scientific research challenges some of the most common beliefs about using cannabis to treat health problems such as pain, insomnia, and mental health symptoms like paranoia, highlighting important lessons for Thai readers at a time when medical marijuana access is rapidly expanding in Thailand and across Asia.

The use of cannabis as medicine has surged since Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to decriminalize cannabis plants in 2022—a move initially aimed to stimulate medical innovation and boost the economy through wellness tourism. But as ever more Thais purchase cannabis products online and at street dispensaries, fresh global research underscores that the effectiveness—and risks—of cannabis for many health problems are far from settled, with strong implications for the Thai public, patients, and caregivers (Washington Post, Medical News Today).

Amid rising global interest and legal reforms surrounding cannabis, recent research is painting a complex picture of its true effects on common health problems such as insomnia, chronic pain, and anxiety. A series of large-scale studies from Australia to the United States highlight encouraging long-term improvements in quality of life for patients with stubborn conditions, but also raise serious caution about potential mental health risks such as paranoia, psychosis, and increased risk of psychiatric disorders.

A growing body of research is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on the phenomenon of medical gaslighting—where healthcare professionals downplay, misattribute, or dismiss their patients’ pain—bringing renewed attention to a pervasive problem especially faced by women suffering from chronic gynecological pain conditions. This latest wave of studies, as described by experts in a recently published analysis on The Conversation, suggests that medical gaslighting is not only distressingly common but also deeply rooted in systemic gender bias, knowledge gaps in medical training, and persistent underfunding of women’s health research (The Conversation).

A significant breakthrough in chronic pain management has arrived, as new research reveals that learning to control emotions can bring meaningful, sustained relief to those suffering from persistent pain. A recently published clinical trial, led by a team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and reported by Neuroscience News, found that focusing on emotional regulation—not just physical symptoms—can significantly improve quality of life for chronic pain sufferers. This development is particularly significant for countries like Thailand, where chronic pain is a widespread but often poorly addressed health concern.

Recent research into the brain’s natural mechanisms for managing pain reveals fascinating insights that could revolutionize the way we approach pain management. At the heart of this discovery is the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a brain region that plays a crucial role in suppressing pain even before it reaches our conscious awareness. This study explains why individuals with severe injuries, such as soldiers during WWII, sometimes feel little to no pain and opens potential pathways for non-opioid pain therapies.

In an exciting development from the world of medical research, scientists at Stanford University have successfully re-created a human pain pathway in the laboratory, potentially revolutionizing the search for new pain-relief drugs. This innovative approach, reported in the journal Nature, involves growing four clusters of human nerve cells, or brain organoids, that can simulate the pain response pathway usually found in the human brain. This groundbreaking work lays the groundwork for more effective and targeted treatments for pain, offering hope to millions who suffer from chronic pain conditions.