Evidence for the use of Cannabis Sativa as a treatment for pain can be traced back to the beginnings of recorded history. To date, the main use of ‘medical marijuana’ is for treating the most debilitating chronic pain disorders, such as neuropathic and cancer pains. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which cannabinoids reduce pain are not known. While two cannabinoid-specific receptors (CB1 and CB2) have been identified, their pharmacological or genetic blocking did not abolish the effect of cannabinoids. This points to other, yet unidentified, receptors that mediate cannabinoid-induced analgesia. Recently, a family of somatosensory TRP channels, specifically TRPV1 and TRPA1, was proposed to be the cannabinoids ionotropic receptors. These receptors are mainly expressed on nociceptive fibers (i.e. Ad- and C- fibers) and their short activation evokes nociceptive pain, while their prolonged activation results in neuronal ‘shut-down’ and analgesia. In this multidisciplinary collaborative project, we are using specific pharmacological tools together with ion imaging, electrophysiology and behavioural tests to establish the role of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels in cannabinoids-induced analgesia. We believe that detailed comprehension of mechanisms of cannabinoids-induced analgesia could facilitate rational design of novel and specific analgesics.

This study will examine the effect of Cannabis administered to patients who are admitted to the emergency room suffering from acute radicular pain. In a blind, randomized & controlled study patients will receive either Cannabis or a placebo. They will then be monitored for 24 hours for the observation of multiple parameters.

Cannabis is consumed recreationally or for medical reasons in 5–15% of the Israeli population; however, the perioperative effects of cannabis use on anesthesia and surgery are poorly understood.

We have received a grant and preliminary IRB approval to study the effects of a cannabis extract as anesthetic premedication on perioperative anxiety, and on postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting.

We are planning a national study with a patient population of approximately
16,000 individuals that has received Ministry of Health approval for the use of medical cannabis in Israel, in collaboration with Prof O. Bone of Hadassah’s Department of Psychiatric Medicine and Prof Y. Neumark, Director of the School of Public Health. The question we are trying to address is: Does cannabis consumption increase mental sickness?