Many individuals who suffer from chronic conditions that cause severe pain are in need of alternatives to pharmaceutical medications that can cause harmful side effects. One of such alternatives is cannabis, but its use has been subject of controversy for decades.

A new study appears to lend support to proponents of medicinal use of marijuana, as it shows that, when smoked, the plant has the potential to relieve chronic neuropathic pain.

The research was conducted by scientists from McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University, and was reported in the latest issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Study participants, who suffered from pain associated with nerve injury, were asked to smoke 25 mg of cannabis that contained about 10 percent THC – the active ingredient – three times a day for five days. The results suggested that most experienced modest pain reduction as well as better mood and sleep.

“The patients we followed suffered from pain caused by injuries to the nervous system, which was not controlled using standard therapies” said Dr. Mark Ware, lead author of the study and director of clinical research at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the MUHC.

He added that for these people, a similar approach “is sometimes seen as their last hope.”