Spinal injury pain relief drug foundRSS Feed

Spinal injury patients suffering from chronic pain may have a marijuana-like painkiller available to them.

Anandamide is already in people's bodies and scientists have found a new compound that allows this natural analgesic to control pain at the site of an injury.

The study suggests that such compounds could form the basis of future pain medications that do not produce sedation, addiction or other side effects to the central nervous system.

"Marijuana itself is sometimes used in clinical settings for pain relief but causes many unwanted effects," explained lead author Daniele Piomelli, director of the Centre for Drug Discovery at the University of California, Irvine.

"However, specific drugs that amplify the actions of natural, marijuana-like chemicals are showing great promise."

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that mild doses of cannabis taken regularly can reduce the intensity of symptoms and improve sleep in patients suffering from chronic pain.

Posted by John Sherrington

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