Cannabinoid analgesia as a potential new therapeutic option
in the treatment of chronic pain
by
Burns TL, Ineck JR.
Pharmacy Practice Resident,
Creighton University Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, MN.
Ann Pharmacother. 2006 Feb;40(2):251-60.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature concerning the physiology of the endocannabinoid system, current drug development of cannabinoid agonists, and current clinical research on the use of cannabinoid agonists for analgesia. DATA SOURCES: Articles were identified through a search of MEDLINE (1966-August 2005) using the key words cannabis, cannabinoid, cannabi(*), cannabidiol, nabilone, THC, pain, and analgesia. No search limits were included. Additional references were located through review of the bibliographies of the articles identified. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies of cannabinoid agonists for treatment of pain were selected and were not limited by pain type or etiology. Studies or reviews using animal models of pain were also included. Articles that related to the physiology and pharmacology of the endocannabinoid system were evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: The discovery of cannabinoid receptors and endogenous ligands for these receptors has led to increased drug development of cannabinoid agonists. New cannabimimetic agents have been associated with fewer systemic adverse effects than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, including recent development of cannabis medicinal extracts for sublingual use (approved in Canada), and have had promising results for analgesia in initial human trials. Several synthetic cannabinoids have also been studied in humans, including 2 cannabinoid agonists available on the international market. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabinoids provide a potential approach to pain management with a novel therapeutic target and mechanism. Chronic pain often requires a polypharmaceutical approach to management, and cannabinoids are a potential addition to the arsenal of treatment options.

THC
Bliss
Aerosol
Memory
Anandamide
Just say know
Tolerant mice
Forgetful rodents
Endocannabinoids
Stoned as a newt?
The nectar of delight
Stoned chocaholics?
Cannabis Abuse Disorder
Cannabis for pain control

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