Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Pain01:20

Pain

Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids01:24

CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids

CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its effects by...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Record Energetics for an Inertial Fusion Implosion at NIF.

Physical review letters·2021
Same author

Urine Concentration Does Not Affect Biochemical Testing for Non-adherence.

Journal of analytical toxicology·2020
Same author

Merkel cell carcinoma.

Clinical and experimental dermatology·2020
Same author

Cortical thickness correlates of probabilistic reward learning in young adults.

Biological psychology·2020
Same author

Potential microbial bioindicators of phosphorus mining in a temperate deciduous forest.

Journal of applied microbiology·2020
Same author

Azimuthal Drive Asymmetry in Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions on the National Ignition Facility.

Physical review letters·2020
Same journal

An overview of the safety and efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation for the treatment of chronic cluster headache.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2026
Same journal

Multiomics and proteomic insights into Alzheimer's disease biology in Down syndrome.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2026
Same journal

Remote deep brain stimulation programming in childhood dystonia: opportunities, challenges, and future directions.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2026
Same journal

The differential diagnosis of astrocytic neoplasms and its impact on treatment and prognosis.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2026
Same journal

Corticosteroids in withdrawal therapy following medication-overuse headache: a systematic review.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2026
Same journal

Clinical efficacy of lacosamide in neuropathic pain: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Modified Inflammatory Pain Model to Study the Analgesic Effect in Mice
06:54

A Modified Inflammatory Pain Model to Study the Analgesic Effect in Mice

Published on: November 15, 2024

Cannabinoids and pain relief.

A Holdcroft1, P Patel

  • 1Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London SW10 9NH, UK. aholdcro@ic.ac.uk

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
|October 9, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The endocannabinoid system

More Related Videos

Oromucosal as an Alternative Method for Administration of Cannabis Products in Rodents
03:43

Oromucosal as an Alternative Method for Administration of Cannabis Products in Rodents

Published on: August 22, 2025

Intracranial Pharmacotherapy and Pain Assays in Rodents
02:26

Intracranial Pharmacotherapy and Pain Assays in Rodents

Published on: April 9, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Modified Inflammatory Pain Model to Study the Analgesic Effect in Mice
06:54

A Modified Inflammatory Pain Model to Study the Analgesic Effect in Mice

Published on: November 15, 2024

Oromucosal as an Alternative Method for Administration of Cannabis Products in Rodents
03:43

Oromucosal as an Alternative Method for Administration of Cannabis Products in Rodents

Published on: August 22, 2025

Intracranial Pharmacotherapy and Pain Assays in Rodents
02:26

Intracranial Pharmacotherapy and Pain Assays in Rodents

Published on: April 9, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The endocannabinoid system's structure and function are key to understanding cannabinoid medicine.
  • Cannabinoids have a long history of medicinal use, supported by evolving scientific insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for pain management.
  • To discuss challenges and future directions in cannabinoid research for pain relief.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of physiological and pharmacological studies on the endocannabinoid system.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and regulatory landscapes concerning cannabinoid therapeutics.
  • Examination of ongoing research into selective agonists, antagonists, and metabolic targets.

Main Results:

  • Small clinical trials show promise for cannabinoids in treating acute and chronic pain.
  • Regulatory and pharmacological hurdles have impeded human pain research.
  • Development of novel modulators of the endocannabinoid system is underway.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoid research for pain is gaining momentum, encouraged by governmental reports.
  • Large-scale clinical trials are anticipated to drive further studies and legislative changes.
  • Long-term effects of psychoactive cannabinoids necessitate careful monitoring and international collaboration.