Medical Marijuana and Chronic Pain: a Review of Basic Science and Clinical Evidence.
Cannabinoid compounds include phytocannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and synthetics. The two primary phytocannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), with CB1 receptors in the brain and peripheral tissue and CB2 receptors in the immune and hematopoietic systems. The route of delivery of cannabis is important as the bioavailability and metabolism are very different for smoking versus oral/sublingual routes. Gold standard clinical trials are limited; however, some studies have thus far shown evidence to support the use of cannabinoids for some cancer, neuropathic, spasticity, acute pain, and chronic pain conditions.
Center for Pain Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Drive, Mail Code 7651, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA, bbjensen@ucsd.edu.
Bjorn
B
Jensen
Jeffrey
J
Chen
Tim
T
Furnish
Mark
M
Wallace
D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000187:drug effects; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000187:drug effects
D000700:Analgesics; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D064086:Medical Marijuana; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2