Cannabis and Trigeminal Neuralgia: What Does the Evidence Say?

In 2021, Cannabis Health shared the experience of Helen, a patient at Integro Medical Cannabis Clinics, who described improvements after receiving prescribed cannabis.

Living With Facial Pain: Helen’s Experience

Speaking in 2021, Helen said she had lived with trigeminal neuralgia for 15 years and had been unable to work since completing her master’s degree.

She described back and neck pain alongside facial pain affecting the left side of her face.

“Trigeminal neuralgia comes as a permanent headache around my left eye, it feels like I actually have pain in my eye.

“The pain spreads into my forehead and my jaw as well. It is a constant, mild pain, but if my neck gets stiff, or if I get stressed, it becomes a more severe pain.

“My TN means I’m light sensitive and I can only use the computer for short periods at a time.

“If I am looking at the screen for too long, my headaches get worse, and then as a result the pain in my face flares up.”

Helen said she had been prescribed pregabalin but had not found it helpful for her pain and had experienced short-term memory problems.

She said: “When I came off the pregabalin tablets, I realised that they had not actually helped me. I was still feeling the same pain as when I was on the medicine. The only thing that changed was that my short term memory started to get better.”

Helen said she began looking for another treatment after her experience with conventional medicines. Through Facebook groups, she learned about clinics prescribing medical cannabis.

She said: “I eventually discovered that cannabis clinics existed on Facebook. I started as a patient at one clinic, but I soon realised that the oil they prescribed wasn’t working for me.

“So, I then became a patient at Integro and this is where I started to see the benefits of medical cannabis.

“The team at Integro really helped me to find the best combination of THC and CBD that works for me. I felt like I was listened to and they wanted to help me, rather than just seeing me as being a fussy patient.”

She continued: “The CBMP’s that I’m taking now has made a huge difference in my life. They relax the muscles in my neck which means that my TN is triggered far less than before. I also get a better night’s sleep which in turn reduces the symptoms of my TN.

“Even though the pain is still there, it’s much less severe, I can actually read a book or look at my computer screen for longer than I could before. Cannabis has really given me my life back.”

A Prescriber’s Perspective

Speaking in 2021, Dr Anthony Ordman, senior consultant at Integro Medical Clinics, described the ways in which he saw cannabis medicines helping with nerve activity associated with trigeminal neuralgia.

“In trigeminal neuralgia, nerve cells fire off in an uncontrolled way which sends pain signals to the brain, experienced as severe pain in the face and mouth.

“Cannabis medicines help to settle down the over-excited nerves and to dampen down their excessive firing. But then it also helps with the secondary effects of TN such as muscle tension, low mood, poor sleep and so on.”

He added: “At Integro Clinics, we aim to never cause any adverse effects or dependency, but the same can’t be said for conventional medicines. Integro Medical Clinics Ltd always recommends remaining under the care and treatment of your GP and specialist for your condition, while using cannabis-based medicines, and the Integro clinical team would always prefer to work in collaboration with them.”

What Does Research Say About Cannabis and Trigeminal Neuralgia?

A small US study reviewed the records of 42 patients receiving medical cannabis for trigeminal neuralgia. Researchers reported that 81% described improvements, while 40% experienced side effects, including sleepiness, dizziness and nausea.

The findings appeared in a conference poster prepared for a 2019 presentation. There was no comparison group receiving a placebo or another treatment, so the study cannot establish whether cannabis caused the improvements.

More recent research has examined cannabis medicines for nerve pain more broadly. A Cochrane review, with searches current to January 2025, included 21 studies involving 2,187 participants. Confidence in the evidence was low to very low.

Medicines containing balanced amounts of THC and CBD may help some patients achieve a reduction in pain, but may also increase the number stopping treatment because of side effects.

Is There a Best CBD Oil for Trigeminal Neuralgia?

The evidence reviewed here does not identify a best CBD oil, brand or dose for trigeminal neuralgia.

CBD-only products differ from medicines containing both THC and CBD. Findings involving one formulation cannot establish that another will provide the same benefits.

NICE guidance advises against offering CBD for chronic pain in adults outside clinical trials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cannabis Help Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Some patients report relief, but research has not established how effective cannabis is specifically for trigeminal neuralgia. Small observational studies cannot determine whether cannabis caused an improvement.

Is CBD Oil Proven to Help Trigeminal Neuralgia?

The evidence reviewed here does not establish CBD oil as an effective treatment or identify a best product or dose.

Is Carbamazepine the Only Treatment?

No. Carbamazepine is usually prescribed first, but the NHS lists other medicines and specialist procedures when it is ineffective or unsuitable.

Does Research on Other Nerve Pain Apply to Trigeminal Neuralgia?

It can inform further research, but results from other conditions do not prove that a treatment works for trigeminal neuralgia.

Information and patient support are available from the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK. The NHS also provides information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.