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Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a set of symptoms caused by chemotherapeutic agents that damage the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. These distant nerves are called peripheral nerves and carry sensations to the brain and control our arms and legs’ movement. The damage to these nerves typically results in persistent pain, abnormal sensations of tingling, numbness, pain pressure, and thermal hyperalgesia in a specific area. CIPN usually begins in the hands and feet but can move to other parts of the body. It is a serious issue affecting the quality of life of millions of patients receiving chemotherapy. Approximately 380 million people live with different types of neuropathy, the majority of them being peripheral and diabetic neuropathy, with an estimated 20 million Americans suffering from CIPN.
CBD Therapy can be useful for treating neuropathic conditions like CIPN and other chronic pain. Specifically, when CBD is introduced in the endocannabinoid system, it creates positive responses within the peripheral nervous and central nervous systems, such as pain relief and inflammation. This relief is noted with multiple types of pain, such as nerve pain (neuropathic pain) and other chronic pain conditions.
The pain only becomes pain once it’s signal is sent and then processed by the brain. CBD works to block pain pathways by slowing down the communication between nerve cells. CBD helps halt the inflammation response by causing the brain to think that the area to be inflamed is no longer injured. CBD treatments also inhibit the release of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter. It directly activates serotonin receptors related to pain, depression/anxiety, addiction, appetite, nausea/vomiting, and sleep. Cannabinoids also work to eliminate excessive, immune-related, oxidative stress, resulting in the body’s ability to heal itself more efficiently.
When treated with CBD therapeutics, patients report significant improvement of pain and other disturbing sensations. Compared to other current therapies of treatment, research indicates that CBD treatments can significantly reduce intense pain, sharp pain, cold and itchy sensations, compared to other current therapies, without the adverse effects (such as potential opiate addiction).
Evidence indicates that the onset of CIPN is closely related to oxidative stress, abnormal spontaneous discharge, ion channel activation, the up-regulation of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the neuro-immune system’s activation. Early studies show that CBD can have a beneficial effect diminishing the intense symptoms, reducing the neuropathic pain and other signs of CIPN affecting the quality of life.