Cannabinoids anti-nociceptive

Hohmann, A.G. (2002). Spinal and peripheral mechanisms of cannabinoid anti nociception behavioral, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical perspectives, Chem Phys Lipids, 121 173-190. 

The activation of nociceptors in the periphery produces messages which converge in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This processes the nociceptive information and projects it to the cerebral cortex via a relay in the thalamus, eliciting pain [25]. These central nervous system mechanisms depend on a balance between pro-nociceptive (such as glutamate, P substance) and anti-nociceptive (such as opioids, cannabinoids) transmitter release and action. 

Taken together, these results show that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the physiological modulation of nociceptive transmission and in the development of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid system seems to participate in the antinociception induced by anti-inflammatory drugs, and displays an important synergic effect with opioid agonists. These data strongly support the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid receptor agonists for the treatment of chronic pain. 

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