In a recent interview, Perry G. Fine MD (Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City; Vice President, Medical Affairs, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Alexandria, Virginia, Past President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine) explained this year’s most important medical research findings regarding chronic pain. One area in which he expects to see rapid change is in cannabinoid pharmacology. Research shows that cannabinoids are important to pain perception. He finds this field very interesting because historically the use of cannabis in the medical field has been full of controversy. He questions whether we can overcome cultural concerns, and use the growing knowledge about how cannabinoids can reduce pain to help those with medical need.
Dr. Fine expounded,
“Another fascinating and increasingly relevant pain-related topic that I'd like to share with the readership is the rapidly developing area of cannabinoid pharmacology. This was covered in a plenary session by Dr. J. Michael Walker, entitled "Endocannabinoids and Other Lipid modulators of Pain."[13] The more that we learn, the more that we recognize that endogenous cannabinoids are important to nociceptive processing and, ultimately, pain perception and experience. The question is whether we will be able to take advantage of this growing knowledge to be able to reduce pain and pain-related suffering. Of course, this is so interesting because it crosses over into our cultural, sociologic, and political world of what constitutes "acceptable" therapies. Historically and ongoing in the United States, the use of cannabis for medical indications has been rife with contention and controversy. As we continue to develop more refined products, many that are derived from strains of the cannabis plant, will we be able to overcome those cultural, social, and regulatory concerns and be able to focus on medical need? I think that that's going to be an issue that will require some significant resolution soon.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/532790