Medical use of cannabis in the treatment of pain
Interview conducted by the Special Interest Group on Pain (GIED), the dissemination body of the Argentine Association for the Study of Pain (AAED).
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47924/neurotarget2018121Keywords:
medicinal cannabis, chronic pain, endocannabinoid systemAbstract
Cannabinoids are useful for the treatment of chronic pain. In fact, some stories we hear from patients are often much more encouraging than the scientific evidence available on the matter. The physiological explanation is based on the close link between the endocannabinoid system and the endogenous opioid system, in addition to the wide presence of CB1 receptors in the main areas of pain modulation and perception. The pains that seem to respond best are those with a chronic neuropathic component and associated affective comorbidity (anxiety, stress, depression, etc.). However, it is necessary to state that medicinal cannabis is not considered a pillar of the treatment of severe pain. For example, cancer pain. That role continues to be fulfilled by opioids, without a doubt.
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Copyright (c) 2018 Ariel Cherro
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