According to a 2025 study, as much as a third of the global population (29.5%) suffers from Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). TMDs are a group of over 30 conditions that are a source of pain and other issues in a patient’s jaw joint and muscles that control a person’s jaw movement.

While the cause of TMDs can be unclear in some instances, the cause of TMDs is often associated with a combination of contributing factors associated with stressing of the jaw joint and muscles, including but not limited to teeth grinding, injuries to a person’s jaw, life-related stress, arthritis, misaligned teeth, connective tissue diseases, and even poor posture.

A team of investigators associated with various dental, health, and academic institutions in Brazil recently conducted a clinical trial involving sublingual medical cannabis preparations containing CBD and THC and patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders. The results of the clinical trial were published in the journal Clinics.

“Twenty adults with chronic myofascial pain (DC/TMD diagnosis) participated in a blinded, crossover, non-randomized study. Participants underwent two consecutive 90-day phases: placebo followed by Δ9-THC/CBD therapy (1:1 ratio, starting with a dose of 2 mg/day in the first week, gradually adjusting an increase of 2 mg/week until reaching 10 mg/day in the fifth week, sublingually), without washout.” the researchers wrote about their methodology. “Outcomes included pain intensity (VAS), muscle sensitivity (algometry), mandibular function (mouth opening, protrusion, laterality) and pain sensitivity (allodynia/hyperalgesia). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models for repeated measures.”

“Δ9-THC/CBD improved all outcomes versus baseline and post-placebo (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d > 0.8). Mouth opening increased from 45.9 mm to 49.9 mm; VAS pain decreased from 7.35 to 3.50. Functional pain dropped by ∼90%, with near elimination of allodynia and hyperalgesia. Placebo effects were minimal.” the researchers found.

“Δ9-THC/CBD therapy provided substantial analgesic and functional benefits in TMD patients, supporting its potential as a therapeutic alternative. Larger randomized studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.” the researchers concluded.

“A pair of placebo-controlled trials from Poland previously reported that the use of topical gels containing CBD can reduce pain and other symptoms in patients with TMD.” the cannabis advocacy organization NORML mentioned in a recent news release regarding similar research efforts.