Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-addictive compound derived from marijuana, can effectively relieve acute dental pain. The groundbreaking study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, suggests that CBD could serve as a safer alternative to opioid painkillers without causing the psychoactive effects associated with THC, another cannabis component.

Traditionally, dentists have relied on anti-inflammatory medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to manage dental pain. However, many patients experience insufficient relief or cannot tolerate these medications, leading to widespread opioid prescriptions. As opioid addiction has surged, there’s been an urgent need for alternative pain treatments, and CBD offers hope. In this study, CBD reduced pain levels by up to 70% in participants suffering from severe toothaches.

The clinical trial involved 61 participants who were administered either a placebo or two different doses of an FDA-approved CBD solution called Epidiolex. Pain levels were monitored over three hours using a visual analog scale (VAS). Both CBD groups reported significantly more pain relief compared to the placebo, with 85% of CBD users experiencing at least a 50% reduction in pain.

Additionally, patients treated with CBD saw improvements in bite force, indicating that the compound may help restore tooth function in those affected by severe dental pain. However, side effects such as sedation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were more common among the CBD groups, highlighting the need for further research into its safety profile.