Marijuana-like drug could block pain

LONDON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A new type of marijuana-like drug could alleviate pain in a similar way to marijuana without affecting the brain, London researchers said.

The study, published in the journal Pain, demonstrated that cannabinoid receptors called CB2, which can be activated by marijuana use, are present in human sensory nerves in the peripheral nervous system, but are not present in a normal human brain.

Researchers at Imperial College London said drugs that activate the CB2 receptors are able to block pain by stopping pain signals being transmitted in human sensory nerves.

The new research indicates that drugs targeting CB2 receptors offer a new way of treating pain in clinical conditions in which there are currently few effective or safe treatments, such as chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis and pain from nerve damage.

Study leader Praveen Anand said the finding could provide an alternative treatment for acute pain following surgery.