Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
Published on: July 7, 2023
Cannabinoids and cancer pain: A new hope or a false dawn?
Matthew R D Brown1, W Paul Farquhar-Smith1
1Department of Anaesthetics, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The endocannabinoid system is involved in many areas of physiological function and homeostasis. Cannabinoid receptors are expressed in the peripheral and central nervous system and on immune cells, all areas ideally suited to modulation of pain processing. There are a wealth of preclinical data in a number of acute, chronic, neuropathic and cancer pain models that have demonstrated a potent analgesic potential for cannabinoids, especially in patients with cancer. However, although there are some positive results in pain of cancer patients, the clinical evidence for cannabinoids as analgesics has not been convincing and their use can only be weakly recommended. The efficacy of cannabinoids seems to have been 'lost in translation' which may in part be related to using extracts of herbal cannabis rather than targeted selective full agonists at the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Related Concept Videos
False Memories
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information...
Pain
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance
Sleep is a fundamental physiological drive that fosters a state of restfulness crucial for several bodily functions. It facilitates body restoration, the process by which the body repairs, rejuvenates, and maintains itself during sleep, including memory...

