An analgesic role for cannabinoids

Cannabinoids have significant analgesic properties in animal models, partic ularly for chronic pain states, but there are few human studies. An endogen ous cannabinoid system, with specific receptors and transmitters, has recen tly been discovered. This discovery has led pharmacologists to explore the potential of synthetic cannabinoids to selectively target chronic pain diso rders without producing the side effects associated with cannabis. Well-con trolled clinical trials on cannabinoids, and cannabinoid delivery systems, are now required.