Acetaminophen Synergizes Through the CB1 Receptor
January 3rd, 2010 | by J.Marcu |Acetaminophen and cannabinoid receptor interactions were the focus of a research article published in the journal of Neuropharmacology in late December 2009. The research demonstrates that the effects of Acetaminophen on pain are mediated through the CB1 receptor. Acetaminophen has previously been shown to elevate the levels of endocannabinoids in the body. Thus increasing the amount of activated cannabinoid receptors, leading to pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects.
Most prescription narcotics such as percocet and vicodin are cut with acetaminophen by pharmaceutical companies. This gives the pain killers more of a “kick.” Without acetaminophen, some pain killers are not nearly as effective. Researchers have been investigating the molecular mechanism for this interaction and the Endocannabinoid System appears to be a big player. Previous research has also shown that there is some “cross talk” between opiate receptors and cannabinoid receptors.
The study investigated the effects of acetaminophen in combination with different pain killers. The authors found that a combination of acetaminophen with gabapentin or morphine produced synergistic pain killing effects in rats. The results may have clinical significance because the effect was observed in rats that are a model of spinal cord injury. Interestingly, this synergistic pain relief disappeared when the rats were given AM251. AM251 blocks the Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptor (CB1R) thus inhibiting CB1R activation.
Given the notable toxicity of acetaminophen, cannabinoids might be a reasonable supplement to accompany current treatments for pain.
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Tags: Acetaminophen, cannabis, cannabis research, CB1, CB1 Receptor, gabapentin, Morphine, Opiates, Pain killers, Pain Relief, science
By Alchemic on Jan 4, 2010
Could acetaminophen lead to a positive drug test? It came to mind when I saw that in raises levels of endocannabinoids.
By J.Marcu on Feb 19, 2010
No.
Your body makes many endocannabinoids like Anadamide and 2-AG. They are short lived compounds that are synthesized on demand. they have many roles in the human body. For intance, endocannabinoids act as neurotransmitters in the brain.
I reminded of a quote regarding enkephalins A.K.A. endorphins, from a research review on Opioid receptors by Snyder and Pasternak in 2003:
“When the [Endorphins] were first identified, pharmaceutical companies reasoned ‘we aren’t addicted to ourselves’, and so [endorphin] derivatives might afford non-addiciting analgesics.”
By Superior Golfing Review on Nov 12, 2010
Findings about cannabinoid receptor interactions CB1R and Acetaminophen are eye opening. It is worrying though that percocet and vicodin are cut with acetaminophen.