In a groundbreaking development for women's health, researchers at Amrita School of Ayurveda have completed a two-year trial investigating cannabis-based treatment for dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), revealing promising results that could offer an alternative to conventional painkillers.
The study centered on Formulation Femme, a polyherbal preparation developed by HempStreet, which combines medical cannabis with bamboo silica and ashwagandha. Dr. P. Rammanohar, Director of the Amrita Centre for Advanced Research in Ayurveda (ACARA), emphasized that this industry-university collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind attempt in the field.
Safety Profile and Study Design
The formulation was carefully designed to ensure patient safety, containing only trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in cannabis, thereby eliminating psychotropic effects. Before human trials began, researchers conducted animal studies to establish the formulation's safety profile.
From an initial screening of 300 volunteers, 26 participants were selected for the trial. The careful selection process helped ensure reliable data collection and monitoring of treatment outcomes.
Clinical Outcomes and Patient Response
"Patients have reported reduction in the severity of pain and no other analgesics were administered during the period," Dr. Rammanohar reported. Notably, some participants experienced continued relief even after discontinuing the medication, suggesting potential long-term benefits.
The research team discovered that dosage requirements varied among patients, indicating the need for personalized treatment approaches based on individual conditions and symptoms.
Addressing an Urgent Medical Need
The study addresses a significant healthcare challenge, as many women begin using conventional painkillers for menstrual pain at a young age, raising concerns about long-term analgesic use. Dysmenorrhea not only causes severe pain but can trigger multiple symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life.
Future Research Directions
Building on these promising initial results, the research team plans to conduct more extensive controlled trials. "In the next level of research, we will be conducting a comparative study by administering Formulation Femme and commonly used painkillers to two different groups to gather conclusive proof," explained Dr. Rammanohar.
The upcoming phase will focus on gathering definitive evidence through larger, controlled trials, potentially paving the way for a new treatment option in dysmenorrhea management.
