Millions of people worldwide live with chronic pain, a persistent issue that presents a major challenge to healthcare systems due to the limitations of available treatments.
In response, experts are increasingly investigating various compounds that could provide relief for those suffering from chronic pain, including seniors, who often face unique health challenges as they age.
Researchers at Yale University have published a study showing how non-psychoactive components of the cannabis plant can affect a part of the brain that plays a key role in the sensation of pain.
Key Takeaways
Researchers at Yale University have found that non-psychoactive cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can provide relief from chronic pain by suppressing key proteins involved in pain transmission.
- CBD, CBG, and CBN cannabinoids were shown to suppress a protein involved in pain transmission through the peripheral nervous system, offering a potential alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain.
- These cannabinoids work by blocking the communication between sensory neurons in the spine, reducing the electrical current amplitudes related to Nav1.8 activity and alleviating pain.
- CBG emerged as the most effective cannabinoid at dampening pain transmission, making it a promising option for safe and effective pain relief, especially for older adults who are more sensitive to pain.
Study on cannabinoids and pain relief
The findings, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that CBD, CBG, and CBN cannabinoids suppressed a key protein involved in pain transmission through the peripheral nervous system.
These findings open new avenues for the development of cannabinoid-based therapies
Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
The study’s results suggest a novel approach to pain relief that could be both safe and effective, as explained by Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo, the research’s primary author and an associate research scientist within the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine.
The researchers believe these specific cannabinoids could serve as safer alternatives to opioids for managing chronic pain, reducing the risk of dependence.
How cannabinoids work to reduce pain
The cannabinoids examined in the study engage with a protein in the cell membrane of sensory neurons in the spine. The Nav1.8 protein facilitates the repetitive firing of neurons, a critical step in transmitting pain signals.
Cannabinoids can block this transmission by inhibiting the sensory neurons’ communication by inhibiting the sensory neurons’ communication through the Nav1.8 pathway. The study’s findings revealed that CBG, CBD, and CBN reduced the electrical current amplitudes related to Nav1.8 activity, demonstrating their potential in alleviating pain.
Among the three cannabinoids tested, CBG emerged as the most effective at dampening pain transmission.
Addressing pain while aging
As people age, changes in the nervous system can lead to increased sensitivity to pain. Cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, and CBN could provide a safer alternative for managing chronic pain in older adults, offering a possible solution without the risks tied to traditional treatments.
These risks include addiction, commonly linked to opioids, a class of drugs often prescribed for severe pain. The opioid epidemic remains a significant issue in the United States, with over 80,000 deaths annually in recent years due to opioid overdoses.
Chronic pain can have a profound effect on daily activities and overall quality of life.
Cannabinoids present a promising option for safe and effective pain relief, enabling individuals to manage their chronic pain better.
Scientists believe these compounds could prove more effective in managing pain while minimizing the risks associated with opioid medications, thus reducing dependence on them.
Dr. Stephen G. Waxman, a senior investigator on the research project, underscored the potential of cannabinoid-based therapies to offer a more effective approach to managing pain by providing a safer and more effective alternative to traditional methods.
Alternative pain relief options
As the nervous system naturally changes over time, many individuals, particularly seniors, experience increased sensitivity to pain.
In response, alternative pain relief options like cannabinoids—CBD, CBG, and CBN—are gaining recognition as effective alternatives to traditional treatments.
While opioids have been commonly prescribed for chronic pain, their potential for addiction and harmful side effects makes them less ideal for long-term use.
Cannabinoids, however, offer a safer approach with a lower risk of dependence, making them a promising choice for managing pain without the adverse effects associated with other treatments.
Substances like CBD, CBG, and CBN are increasingly seen as viable solutions for chronic pain, offering individuals a potentially more sustainable and less risky alternative for pain management.
