Full Spectrum Cannabidiol Oil as a Symptomatic Management Strategy in Geographic Tongue: Case Report with Literature Review

Main Article Content

Guilherme Klein Parise
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0417-9979
Ana Caroline Silvestre
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3700-5318
Laura Gabriela de Oliveira First
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3275-9214
Larissa Rodrigues Gasparini
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7601-5148
Juliana Lucena Schussel
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5204-0782

Abstract

To report a case of symptomatic geographic tongue (GT) successfully managed with full-spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) oil, highlighting dose–response dynamics, individualized titration, and clinical outcomes. A 60-year-old female presented with a five-month history of oral burning sympton. Clinical examination revealed multiple atrophic areas with whitish borders on the dorsal tongue. Laboratory investigations were within normal limits except for mildly reduced vitamin D. Prior use of topical corticosteroids provided transient symptom relief. CBD oil (3000 mg/30 mL) was administered sublingually, starting at 5 mg twice daily and titrated weekly according to pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The patient experienced significant improvement (VAS reduced from 8 to 2) at 4 drops twice daily. No adverse effects were reported during a three-month follow-up. Although GT generally does not require treatment, symptomatic cases may significantly impact quality of life. The analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and emotion-modulating properties of cannabidiol (CBD) may explain the observed clinical improvement. The non-linear clinical response reinforces the importance of individualized dose titration and careful monitoring. Full-spectrum CBD oil may represent a potential therapeutic approach for patients with persistent GT. Careful titration is essential to optimize outcomes. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm efficacy and establish evidence-based dosing protocols.

Article Details

How to Cite
Parise, G. K., Silvestre, A. C., First, L. G. de O., Gasparini, L. R., & Schussel, J. L. (2026). Full Spectrum Cannabidiol Oil as a Symptomatic Management Strategy in Geographic Tongue: Case Report with Literature Review. Brazilian Journal of Case Reports, 6(1), bjcr179. https://doi.org/10.52600/2763-583X.bjcr.2026.6.1.bjcr179
Section
Clinical Case Reports
Author Biographies

Guilherme Klein Parise, Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná

Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná, Curtiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Ana Caroline Silvestre, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Paraná

Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Paraná, Curtiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Laura Gabriela de Oliveira First, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Paraná

Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Paraná, Curtiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Larissa Rodrigues Gasparini, Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná

Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná, Curtiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Juliana Lucena Schussel, Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná

Post Graduate Program in Dentistry, Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná, Curtiba, Paraná, Brazil.

References

Sarruf MBJM, Quinelato V, Sarruf GJM, Oliveira HE, Calasans-Maia JA, Quinelato H, et al. Stress as worsening of the signs and symptoms of the geographic tongue during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study. BMC Oral Health. 2022 Dec 3;22(1):565.

Dafar A, Bankvall M, Garsjö V, Jontell M, Çevik‐Aras H. Salivary levels of interleukin‐8 and growth factors are modulated in patients with geographic tongue. Oral Dis. 2017 Sept;23(6):757–62.

Su N, Poon R, Liu C, Dewan C, Darling M, Grushka M. Taste and Pain Response in Burning Mouth Syndrome With and Without Geographic Tongue. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2020 July;34(3):217–21.

Picciani BLS, Santos LR, Teixeira-Souza T, Dick TNA, Carneiro S, Pinto JMN, et al. Geographic tongue severity index: A new and clinical scoring system. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2020 Apr;129(4):330–8.

Dick TNA, Santos LR, Cunha KS, Silva-Junior GO, Dziedzic A, Aredes MM, et al. Correlation between extent and clinical severity, and histopathological characteristics of geographic tongue. Folia Morphol. 2025 July 9;84(2):398–405.

De Campos WG, Esteves CV, Fernandes LG, Domaneschi C, Júnior CAL. Treatment of symptomatic benign migratory glo-ssitis: a systematic review. Clin Oral Investig. 2018 Sept;22(7):2487–93.

Ślebioda Z, Drożdżyńska J, Karpińska A, Krzyżaniak A, Kasperczak M, Tomoń N, et al. Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Geographic Tongue: A Retrospective Analysis of 100 Polish Patients.

Stahl V, Vasudevan K. Comparison of Efficacy of Cannabinoids versus Commercial Oral Care Products in Reducing Bacterial Content from Dental Plaque: A Preliminary Observation. Cureus [Internet]. 2020 Jan 29 [cited 2025 Sept 24]; Available from: https://www.cureus.com/articles/25300-comparison-of-efficacy-of-cannabinoids-versus-commercial-oral-care-products-in-reducing-bacterial-content-from-dental-plaque-a-preliminary-observation

MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. Eur J Intern Med. 2018 Mar;49:12–9.

Bernaola-Paredes WE, Filho VB, Vilela Dias EM, Sugaya NN. A case of migratory stomatitis in a young male patient: Ma-nagement and differential diagnosis. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2022 Feb;26(Suppl 1):S17–21.

Núñez Amin Dick T, Rocha Santos L, Carneiro S, Moore D, Pestana S, Laerte Boechat J, et al. Investigation of oral atopic diseases: Correlation between geographic tongue and fungiform papillary glossitis. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021 June;122(3):283–8.

Garsjö V, Dafar A, Jontell M, Çevik‐Aras H, Bratel J. Increased levels of calprotectin in the saliva of patients with geographic tongue. Oral Dis. 2020 Apr;26(3):558–65.

Panda B and Ghosh D. Pathophysiology & Treatment of Geographic Tongue: A Mini Review. Acta Neurophysiol 2023, 4(6): 180037.

Stoopler ET, France K, Ojeda D, Sollecito TP. Benign Migratory Glossitis. J Emerg Med. 2018 Jan;54(1):e9–10.

Horiuchi Y. Geographic tongue: What is this disease? JDDG J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2023 Dec;21(12):1465–7.

S Kurtipek G, Sarı N, T Akyürek F. Geographic tongue that responds to the treatment of pregabalin: Can it be a new treatment choice? Dermatol Ther. 2019 Jan;32(1):e12776. doi: 10.1111/dth.12776. Epub 2018 Nov 18. PMID: 30365234.

Amasyalı SY, Gürses AA, Aydın ON, Akyol A. Effectiveness of Pregabalin for Treatment of Burning Mouth Syndrome. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2019 Feb 28;17(1):139–42.

Hossain MK, Chae HJ. Medical cannabis: From research breakthroughs to shifting public perceptions and ensuring safe use. Integr Med Res. 2024 Dec;13(4):101094.

Zuardi AW, Rodrigues NP, Silva AL, Bernardo SA, Hallak JEC, Guimarães FS, et al. Inverted U-Shaped Dose-Response Curve of the Anxiolytic Effect of Cannabidiol during Public Speaking in Real Life. Front Pharmacol. 2017 May 11;8:259.

Lafaye G, Karila L, Blecha L, Benyamina A. Cannabis, cannabinoids, and health. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2017 Sept 30;19(3):309–16.

Campana MD, De Paolis G, Sammartino G, Bucci P, Aliberti A, Gasparro R. Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Perspectives for Management of Orofacial Pain, Oral Inflammation and Bone Healing—A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 16;26(8):3766.

Bloomfield MAP, Yamamori Y, Hindocha C, Jones APM, Yim JLL, Walker HR, et al. The acute effects of cannabidiol on emotional processing and anxiety: a neurocognitive imaging study. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2022 May;239(5):1539–49.

Han K, Wang JY, Wang PY, Peng YCH. Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2024 Sept;339:116049.

Henson J, Vitetta L, Quezada M, Hall S. Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control of Stress with Cannabidiol. J Clin Med. 2021 Dec 14;10(24):5852.

Neves LBM, Lima BC, Marques FV, Baldessarini BL, Machado RCM. Cannabinology in Dentistry: Therapeutic Applications and Future Directions. Int J Oral Dent Health. 2025 Aug 19;12(2):1–4.

Mederos M, Salvi LC, Chisini LA. The therapeutic effect of cannabidiol in oral mucosa lesions: a scoping review of in vivo and clinical studies. Braz J Oral Sci. 2025 Mar 28;24:e255518.

Linares IM, Zuardi AW, Pereira LC, Queiroz RH, Mechoulam R, Guimarães FS, et al. Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. Braz J Psychiatry. 2019 Feb;41(1):9–14.

Batista MM. Primeiras orientações ao prescritor de cannabis medicinal: uma revisão narrativa baseada na literatura científica e na atual regulamentação brasileira. Ufopbr [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 Sep 24]; Available from: https://www.monografias.ufop.br/handle/35400000/8072

Xavier Viana TR, De Paula Venute L, Teixeira Coelho A, Ribeiro De Souza D, Xavier De Deus R, Crivoi Cesar A, et al. Cannabis Medicinal: Uma Revisão sobre as Perspectivas Atuais e Desafios Futuros na Prática Clínica. J Res Med Health. 2024 Apr 15;2:e202401.