Targeting pain

High levels of cannabinoid receptors have been found in damaged or diseased immune cells. 

Scientists say this strongly suggests that more targeted treatments may help alleviate pain without dangerous side effects, including addiction.

“Emerging clinical studies show that medicinal cannabis or cannabinoid-based medications relieve pain in human diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia,” says the study, which was led by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and recently published in Neuropsychopharmacology Reviews.

This research builds on work done nearly two decades ago that showed a “dose dependent” impact of cannabinoids, such as THC, on pain blocking and/or sensitivity to pain.