The 5 Most Popular PNN Stories of 2025
/By Crystal Lindell
Looking back at 2025, there was a lot of news to cover when it came to chronic pain and illness. Access to opioids was again a major concern for our readers, but there was also a lot of interest in the potentially harmful effects of gabapentin.
Below is a look at the top 5 most widely read articles that PNN published in 2025.
We truly appreciate every time you read, comment and share our articles. And we can’t wait to bring you more great coverage in 2026!
1) Over 15 Million Americans Prescribed Gabapentin Despite Warnings
In September, we covered an analysis by CDC researchers that showed that the use of gabapentin (Neurontin) continued to soar in the United States — usually for chronic pain and other health conditions the drug is not approved to treat.
Gabapentin is the fifth most prescribed drug in the United States, with prescriptions nearly tripling since 2010, according to findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The number of patients prescribed gabapentin reached 15.5 million in 2024, up from 5.8 million in 2010.
2) Cannabis Use by Older Adults Linked to ‘Younger Brains’ and Improved Cognition
In August, we covered a study that showed that cannabis use by older adults slowed the aging of their brains and may even improve cognitive function.
An international research team analyzed health data on more than 25,000 adults in the UK, looking at the relationship between cannabis use, aging, and cognitive function. They found that cannabis users had brain characteristics “typically associated with younger brains” and “enhanced cognitive abilities.”
3) 6 Things to Try If Your Doctor Won’t Prescribe Opioid Pain Medication
A lot of pain patients find that their doctors are reluctant to prescribe opioids. So in February, I shared six things to try if your physician tells you to go home and take ibuprofen.
The first tip is not to give up. Tell your doctor what poorly treated pain is doing to your life – that you’re unable to work or that you may have to go to the emergency room. Tell the truth and don’t exaggerate, and you just might get them to change their mind.
Another option is to try kratom and/or cannabis. They don’t work for everyone, but many patients say they provide some level of pain relief.
4) DEA Plans Further Cuts in Oxycodone Supply
In November, we covered the DEA’s plan to cut the supply of oxycodone by more than 6% in 2026, along with marginal reductions in the supply of hydrocodone, morphine and other Schedule II opioids.
From year-to-year, the cuts may not appear significant. But over the past decade, there has been an historic decline in the nation’s opioid supply. If its current plan is adopted, DEA will have cut the supply of hydrocodone and oxycodone by over 70% since 2014.
The DEA says the “medical usage” of prescription opioids is declining, when in fact the “medical need” for them is actually increasing.
5) Study Links Gabapentin to Increased Dementia Risk
In July, we covered how gabapentin (Neurontin) may significantly increase the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, even for middle-aged patients who only took the nerve medication for six months.
That was according to research published in the Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine journal, which looked at health records for more than 26,000 U.S. patients with chronic low back pain.
Researchers found that patients with six months or more of gabapentin use had a 29% higher risk of developing dementia and an 85% higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment
We hope you enjoyed reading PNN in 2025 and that you found our stories informative and helpful. We look forward to continuing our coverage of chronic pain and other health issues in 2026.
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Happy New Year everyone!
