Switching Off Pain: Modeling relief on the action of marijuana

Scientists have long known that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, is an effective painkiller. But THC’s kaleidoscopic effects, including sedation, giddiness, and paranoia, limit its use in medicine. Now, researchers have fabricated a drug that alleviates pain through a mechanism similar to that of THC, but without the side effects.