Our Endocannabinoid System and Chronic Pain

An overview of our endocannabinoid system, its correlation to chronic pain and available treatment options.

By Rowena Chua, MD

June 17, 2019

Systems of the Body now include The ECS. (Click to enlarge)

Overview

Cannabis is a plant-based product that has been used medicinally for at least 4,000 years¹. Widespread medicinal use never materialized because the plant produces both therapeutic and psychoactive effects. Federal restriction of cannabis first occurred in 1937, with the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act. In 1996, California became the first state to permit legal access to and use of botanical cannabis for medicinal purposes under physician supervision. Today, the support towards legalization continues to reach new highs². The purpose of this article is to provide you with an overview of our endocannabinoid system, its correlation to chronic pain and review treatments that are available.

Discovery of a New System in the Body

In the 1960s, scientists studying cannabis (marijuana) identified and isolated 2 compounds: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). They called these compounds “cannabinoids” since they were derived from the cannabis plant. In the 1990s, scientists discovered the receptors where THC and CBD would attach to. These receptors were found initially in rats, then soon after in humans. From there they discovered that a whole molecular system exists within our body. It was named the “Endocannabinoid System” because of the role that cannabis played in its discovery³.
The endocannabinoid system is now considered one of the systems in our body, along with the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular system among others.

What is the ECS?

As a master regulatory system within our body, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a strong effect on other systems in our body. It is one of our body’s tools for maintaining homeostasis and balance⁴. Important components of the ECS are cannabinoid receptors and endogenous cannabinoids.

Cannabinoid Receptors: CB₁and CB₂

Located throughout the body, cannabinoid receptors are part of our ECS. There are 2 main cannabinoid receptors: CB₁and CB₂. CB₁receptors are found predominantly in the brain, while CB₂receptors are mostly found in the immune system⁵. The endocannabinoid system is now considered one of the systems in our body, along with other major systems that include the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems among others.

Cannabinoid Receptors: CB₁and CB₂. (Click to enlarge)

Endogenous Cannabinoids: Anandamide

In 1992, scientists discovered what binds with cannabinoid receptors— Anandamide, one of the cannabinoids that our body produces⁶. It was named after the Sanskrit word “ananda” meaning “bliss”. It’s found to be directly correlated with improved mood, reduction of depression and anxiety⁷.
The ECS regulates a host of physiological processes including mood, memory, appetite, muscle control, immune function, inflammation, as well as pain levels⁸.

ECS Deficiency

Like other systems in the body, the ECS can be thrown out of balance due to trauma, stress or toxins. Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency can be associated with various conditions such as migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory and neurologic conditions⁹. If our body doesn’t produce enough endocannabinoids, then supplementation may be needed.

Exogenous Cannabinoids: CBD & THC

Exogenous cannabinoids, found outside our body, come from plants. If our body does not produce enough anandamide, we can supplement it with plant cannabinoids. The 2 main exogenous or plant cannabinoids are CBD and THC.

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

THC is the main component in marijuana, eliciting the “high”, or psychoactive effect. For this reason, it is highly regulated. THC binds primarily to CB1 receptors, which are abundant in the brain. THC has also been found to have beneficial effects including: pain relief, decreased inflammation, relaxed muscles and increased appetite. However, too much THC can induce anxiety and psychosis¹⁰.

CBD (cannabidiol)

CBD, on the other hand, does not produce a psychoactive effect or “high” and actually counters the effect of THC. CBD helps increase our supply of anandamide. CBD has also been found to have beneficial effects including: pain relief, enhanced sleep, decreases in inflammation, anxiety and appetite. There are minimal risks or side effects with CBD¹⁰. In 2018, the World Health Organization declared CBD safe and well tolerated in humans. It is now considered a benign compound and there are several medical applications for CBD¹¹.

CBD vs THC

CBD (Cannabidiol)	THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
No psychoactive effect	Elicits the “high”
Counteracts effects of THC	Highly regulated
Helps increase anandamide	Binds primarily to CB1 receptors
Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, decreases appetite, enhances sleep	Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, anti-spasmodic, increases appetite
Minimal risks	Can induce anxiety and psychosis

Cannabis Sativa Plant Family: Marijuana & Hemp

So where do we obtain these exogenous cannabinoids? Both CBD and THC both come from the plant family – Cannabis sativa. Within this family you have marijuana and hemp. They are different plants with different amounts of THC¹².

Marijuana contains anywhere from 3-20% of THC and is used for both recreational and medicinal purposes¹². Recreational marijuana has a higher amount of THC, eliciting the “high” effect, whereas medical marijuana has a lower amount of THC.

Hemp, on the other hand, contains a very low amount of THC (<0.3%). Unlike marijuana, it consists mainly of CBD with no psychoactive effect. Prior to December 2018, hemp was considered a controlled substance like marijuana. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill permanently removed hemp-derived cannabinoids from the Controlled Substances Act¹³. Hemp is no longer associated with negative public effects or with abuse potential.

Hemp vs Marijuana

Hemp	Marijuana/Cannabis
Grows up to 20 ft (outside)	Grows 6-9 ft (inside)
Harvest 60-90 days	Harvest 120 days
Mainly CBD, very low THC (< 0.3%)	CBD & THC (3-20%)
No psychoactive effect	Psychoactive effect
Uses: Textiles and Health	Uses: Recreational and Medicinal

Studies on Cannabinoids and Pain

There are a number of studies correlating cannabinoids and pain relief. The Journal of the American Medical Association reviewed 28 randomized clinical trials and concluded that cannabis therapy for marked pain relief is supported by high-quality evidence¹⁴. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found conclusive and substantial evidence that cannabis or cannabinoids are effective for the treatment of chronic pain in adults¹⁵. One study in the European Journal of Pain found administration of CBD had long-lasting therapeutic effects on arthritis symptoms without psychoactive side effects¹⁶. Another study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found strong evidence suggesting CBD alleviates chronic inflammatory pain¹⁷. These studies are significant because they suggest cannabinoids offer a viable and a more natural option for pain relief.

Opioid Crisis

Since the 1990s, the prevalence of chronic pain and health care costs have exploded and an opioid epidemic with adverse consequences has escalated. Patients have consumed opioid drugs for pain relief on a massive scale. Considering their potential for tolerance, abuse, and death from overdose, the overuse of opioids form an urgent threat to public health in the USA¹⁸.

Cannabinoids and Opioid Reduction

Cannabinoids can potentially help with the opioid crisis. States with medical cannabis laws have a 24.8% lower number of deaths from opioid overdose¹⁹. The number of Medicare prescriptions for drugs to treat pain was reduced in medical cannabis states¹⁹. In Michigan, there was a 64% decrease in opioid use, a decrease in side effects, and an overall improved quality of life in those who used cannabinoids¹⁹. Cannabinoids can potentially be used as an alternative or adjunct to opioids and other pain medications.

Addressing Pain through the ECS

There are options available for addressing pain through the ECS.

Hemp-derived CBD

Currently, there is an abundance of hemp-derived CBD products available on the U.S. market. CBD products can be either full spectrum or isolates of CBD. Full spectrum CBD products contain whole plant extract. One study showed that full spectrum CBD oil is superior to an isolate in the effective treatment of inflammatory conditions²⁰. Hemp-derived CBD products are currently not federally regulated. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 70% of CBD products do not match their label²¹. Guidance by a healthcare professional is recommended to determine which product is best for a patient.

Medical Cannabis

Cannabis is approved for medical use in a number of states. Each state has their own specific guidelines for dispensing and prescribing medical cannabis. In Illinois, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program was initiated in 2016. Patients with certain qualifying medical conditions could be certified to obtain a medical cannabis card. In response to the opioid crisis, the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program became available in 2018 and patients could be certified to use medical cannabis for pain relief.

I have found in my own practice that cannabinoid therapy can be effective for the treatment of chronic pain and the response is patient dependent. Chronic pain is a complex condition that is multifactorial and involves multiple body systems. Cannabinoid therapy is one tool that can address pain but best used in conjunction with an integrative medicine approach.

References

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20. CBD products can be either full spectrum or isolates of CBD. Full spectrum CBD products contain whole plant extract. One study showed that full spectrum CBD oil is superior to an isolate in the effective treatment of inflammatory conditions.
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