Topical Therapies

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. National Academies Press.

The report examines the evolving policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization and its impact on patterns of use and perceived risk. Despite significant changes in cannabis laws, understanding of its health effects remains limited. Existing research on cannabis is often not effectively communicated to policymakers and healthcare providers. Unlike alcohol or tobacco, there are no established standards for safe cannabis use. This lack of aggregated knowledge has public health implications. The report provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence on the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis, highlighting research gaps and opportunities for further investigation.

http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/reports/2017/health-effects-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids.aspx (Free Download available do not purchase eBook)

• Argoff, C. E. (2013, February). Topical analgesics in the management of acute and chronic pain. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 88, No. 2, pp. 195-205). Elsevier.

Topical pain relievers like NSAIDs and lidocaine are useful for treating various types of pain, including injuries and nerve-related pain. However, more research is needed to understand their effectiveness fully. Overall, these treatments are promising but still require further study to determine their benefits and risks.

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(12)01170-6/fulltext