How Do Cannabinoids Work?
The body has two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system and CB2 receptors located outside the central nervous system, particularly on macrophages. Researchers believe the CB2 receptor modulates anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. By chemically manipulating cannabinoids, drug developers can maximize selectivity for CB2 and avoid the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids.Scientific literature before 1970 is mostly a collection of case studies and anecdotal reports about the analgesic efficacy of cannabinoids. Most of the more recent studies were small and examined different cannabinoids and different regimens, so their data can’t be pooled for a meta-analysis. However, reviewing the therapeutic uses of cannabis and recent randomized controlled studies sets forth the areas of research needed to bring cannabis back to the bedside. * Cancer pain. In a review of five cancer-pain studies (totalling 128 patients), a cannabinoid w
