07/25/2023
How Cannabinoids Combat Pain - Counting All of The Ways Cannabis Can Help.
Did you know that cannabinoids, whether they come from within our bodies or from cannabis plants, can modulate pain in numerous different ways?
1.) Peripheral Nervous System: Cannabinoids interact with special receptors, like CB1, found in the peripheral nociceptive terminals. When activated, these receptors help dampen the excitability of pain-sensing neurons, reducing pain signals before they even reach the spinal cord.
2.) Spinal Cord: At the spinal level, CB1 receptors located in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord dorsal horn play a crucial role in modulating pain. By activating these receptors, cannabinoids inhibit the release of neurotransmitters involved in pain transmission, like norepinephrine or glutamate. This process helps to block pain and reduce sensations of discomfort.
3.) Supraspinal Effects: Moving up to the supraspinal level, cannabinoids activate CB1 receptors mainly located in the thalamus (midbrain). This activation helps slow the transmission of pain signals, preventing them from reaching higher brain regions where they register as pain. Cannabinoids may also trigger the release of inhibitory compounds, like GABA, which further dampen pain.
4.) Emotional Component: Pain isn't just physical; it also involves our emotions and cognitive processes (our higher brains). Here, CB1 receptors play a role in the limbic system and cortical areas of the brain, which are mostly involved in memory and emotion. When activated, they help modify the emotional experience of pain, making it more tolerable.
5.) Peripheral CB2 Receptors: Cannabinoids don't just interact with the nervous system, they also interact with CB2 receptors found on immune cells and keratinocytes. When these receptors are activated, they decrease the release of molecules known to promote pain. This action contributes to decreasing pain sensitivity and anti-inflammatory effects.
6.) Battling Chronic Pain: When it comes to chronic pain, cannabinoids have another trick up their sleeve. By modulating immune responses through CB2 receptor activation at the spinal cord level, they help prevent prolonged sensitization of neurons, providing relief in the long term.
The intricate dance between cannabinoids and their receptors in the nervous system offers a multi-faceted approach to combat pain, making them a promising area of research for future pain management therapies
SOURCE:
Überall MA. A Review of Scientific Evidence for THC:CBD Oromucosal Spray (Nabiximols) in the Management of Chronic Pain. J Pain Res. 2020;13:399-410. Published 2020 Feb 14. doi:10.2147/JPR.S240011
