title: Stressed-out endogenous cannabinoids relieve pain.
abstract: A variety of physical and psychological stressors induce analgesia by activating descending systems that project from the brain to the spinal cord. This stress-induced analgesia (SIA) is mediated by distinct opioid- and non-opioid-dependent mechanisms. New evidence suggests that non-opioid SIA is mediated by two independent endocannabinoids within the midbrain. Furthermore, novel agents that disrupt breakdown of these endocannabinoids enhance non-opioid SIA and pave the way for novel therapies.
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Research Institute, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, 2065, Australia. chrisv@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Vaughan
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000187:drug effects*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid