title: [Cannabinoid and opioid system in the mechanisms and control of pain].
abstract: Opium and Hashish have been classically employed for the control of pain. The pharmacologic rationale for the use of these substances lies in the fact that they are able to modulate the endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems respectively. Both systems, which depress the central nervous system (CNS), are capable of producing analgesia both in experimental animals and in humans by interfering with the transmission of pain signals (nociceptive) from the periphery to the superior centers of the CNS. We will review the main theories that explain the peripheral effects on both systems and its possible interest from the treatment of musculoskeletal pain standpoint.
authors.affiliation: Área de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud III, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goicoechea García
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Martín Fontelles