Cannabis and joints: scientific evidence for the alleviation of osteoarthritis pain by cannabinoids

Small and Transient Effect of Cannabis Oil for Osteoarthritis-Related Joint Pain: A Case Report

“…The body's endocannabinoid system has been shown to ameliorate all these modalities of pain subtypes. 13 Studies with animal models have demonstrated that under the inflammatory physiological conditions seen in arthritic joints, certain receptors of the endocannabinoid system (i.e., cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 [CB1 and CB2] and fatty acid amide hydrolase [FAAH] receptors) are expressed to a greater extent in the synovium of OA joints, including localized and upregulated expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors relative to control joints. 14 Moreover, a significant component of OA pain and disease progression is related to increased local inflammatory states.…”

Cannabinoid Receptors and Their Relationship With Chronic Pain: A Narrative Review

“…It acts on the vanilloid receptors but proves that the endocannabinoid system has physiological and/or pathophysiological roles in the modulation of pain [22]. The CB2 receptor studied in comparison with the CB1 receptor showed that the CB2 receptor plays a predominant role affecting joint pain and is likely to be involved in the adaptive changes in the opioids system, which was induced in the chronic pain state [23]. This beneficial aspect of controlling pain in the opioid system can lessen the burden of opioid side effects and complications.…”

Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases

“…36 Other clinical trials assessing the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for OA are currently ongoing or are yet to be published. 37 Several studies have also shown that cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors might play a role in SSc, as cannabinoid receptors have been shown to modulate SSc in murine models, 9 and were also found to be over-expressed in SSc fibroblasts. 38 A study on a murine model also found that treatment with cannabinoids prevented the development of cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis and decreased the proliferation of fibroblasts and antibody development.…”