# Impact of Acute Cannabis Administration on Pain Symptomology and Inflammatory Markers among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

> **NIH NIH P20** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $274,684

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Cannabis is purported to be an effective pharmacotherapy for several chronic pain diagnoses, including
multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and cancer-related pain. However, there is a dearth of well-controlled
research on use of cannabis to treat symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic
inflammatory disease that affects approximately 1.3 million Americans, a number that is increasing as the US
population ages. RA is characterized by joint destruction, stiffness, swelling, and pain, leading to loss of
function. In addition, key cytokines, or pro-inflammatory secreted proteins, are involved in joint injury
associated with RA; specifically, TNF-α and IL-1. Pre-clinical studies indicate that cannabinoids demonstrate
promising anti-arthritic properties in both human cells from RA patients and animal models of RA. Only one
clinical study has investigated the effect of a cannabis plant derivative comprised of an equal ratio of two
cannabinoids (i.e., Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] and cannabidiol [CBD]), in oromucosal form, on pain related
to RA, and reported promising results. Whole plant cannabis may be more effective than synthetic and partial
formulations to treat chronic pain conditions, putatively due to its composition of hundreds of distinct
cannabinoids that work in synergy to alleviate symptoms. In addition to THC, which has been shown to reduce
several types of chronic pain, CBD may be particularly effective in reducing negative symptomology in RA
patients due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This pilot project will investigate the impact of cannabis on
pain, affect, and inflammation among RA patients (n = 66). We will administer three cannabis formulations via
vaporization (placebo, low THC [<1%] /medium CBD [1-5%], medium THC [1-5%]/medium CBD [1-5%]) across
three experimental sessions using a counter-balanced, double-blind, crossover design. Blood will be collected
during each session (pre-vaporization, 10 minutes post-vaporization, 60 minutes post-vaporization). Self-
reported pain and affect will be assessed at the same time points. The effect of cannabis on pain, affect, and
inflammatory biomarkers will be assessed. This study will be the first to investigate the dose-dependent effect
of cannabis on pain, affect, and markers of inflammation among patients with RA. Exploring novel and effective
strategies to reduce pain and inflammation among individuals living with RA is crucial as current
pharmacotherapies may not completely alleviate negative symptoms, and some, including opioids, pose high
dependence liability. As states continue to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, it is
essential to inform both state legislation and clinical treatment guidelines for physicians treating individuals with
chronic pain. This study has the potential to guide clinical decisions pertaining to use of cannabis to treat RA
symptoms with precise recommendations regarding cannabis formulati...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10259693
- **Project number:** 5P20GM130414-03
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth Aston
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $274,684
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10259693

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10259693, Impact of Acute Cannabis Administration on Pain Symptomology and Inflammatory Markers among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (5P20GM130414-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10259693. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*