A study in the journal Pain establishes that drugs that activate the same receptors as marijuana can block pain signals without affect the brain the way marijuana use does.

Marijuana-Like Drug Could Block Pain

The receptors that are activated by marijuana use, called CB2 receptors, are found in the peripheral nervous system, not the brain. When activated they can block pain by stopping the pain signals from being delivered.

Researchers said this finding could lead to clinical treatments for otherwise hard to treat conditions such as nerve damage and provide an alternative option for acute pain following surgery.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.