University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain (UTCSP) members are at the forefront of revolutionizing pain management beyond traditional opioid-focused approaches. UTCSP researchers like Dr. Karim Ladha are leading clinical trials exploring cannabis and psilocybin for chronic pain, while Dr. Isabelle Boileau is pioneering brain imaging techniques to identify addiction risk factors. Dr. Andrea Furlan has developed comprehensive training programs helping physicians safely taper patients off opioids, with clinical trials showing nearly 30% of chronic pain patients can successfully discontinue opioids with proper support. From genetic testing to predict individual opioid responses to investigating novel therapeutic compounds, UTCSP members are creating the foundation for safer, more personalized pain care that moves beyond one-size-fits-all treatments toward individualized medicine tailored to each patient’s unique biology and needs.
