Medical Staff Professional University of California San Diego University of California San Diego San Diego, California
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a survival-based biochemical system providing that we Eat, Sleep, Relax, Protect and Forget. ECS elements are active in every tissue in the body, modulating signaling and signaling pathways, including pain signaling in the CNS and periphery. The active ingredient of cannabis, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) acts as an agonist at cannabinoid receptors. In this session learners will be able to describe the ECS and its roles in homeostasis, identify the roles of the ECS in pain signaling and inflammation and understand how targeting this system with cannabis has broad systemic effects that have the potential to address the whole person in pain care.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the function of the endocannabinoid system generally and in pain signaling
Understand how the ECS modulates inflammation
Describe the roles of the ECS in stress resilience and sleep disturbance
Define elements of the biopsychosocial model and whole person pain care
