Brain Health

Scientists Design Cannabis-Based Painkillers That Avoid Typical Side Effects

Researchers at Zhejiang University have developed two new cannabis-based compounds, LZD503 and LZD505, that target the CB1 receptor for pain relief while avoiding typical side effects. Using structure-guided design, they created molecules that selectively activate beneficial Gi signaling pathways while minimizing activation of pathways responsible for adverse effects. The compounds showed promising pain relief in mice without unwanted responses, potentially offering a new class of non-opioid painkillers.