JWH-051 is an analgesic drug which is a

cannabinoid Cannabinoids () are several structural classes of compounds found in the cannabis plant primarily and most animal organisms (although insects lack such receptors) or as synthetic compounds. The most notable cannabinoid is the phytocannabinoid tet ...

agonist. Its chemical structure is closely related to that of the potent cannabinoid agonist

HU-210 HU-210 is a synthetic cannabinoid that was first synthesized in 1988 from (1R,5S)-myrtenol by a group led by Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University. HU-210 is 100 to 800 times more potent than natural THC from cannabis and has an extended d ...

, with the only difference being the removal of the hydroxyl group at position 1 of the aromatic ring. It was discovered and named after John W. Huffman. JWH-051 retains high affinity for the CB₁

receptor Receptor may refer to: * Sensory receptor, in physiology, any structure which, on receiving environmental stimuli, produces an informative nerve impulse *Receptor (biochemistry), in biochemistry, a protein molecule that receives and responds to a ...

, but is a much stronger agonist for CB₂, with a Ki value of 14nM at CB₂ vs 19nM at CB₁. It was one of the first CB₂-selective ligands developed, although its selectivity for CB₂ is modest compared to newer compounds such as

HU-308 HU-308 (also known as onternabez, HU308, PPP-003 and ARDS-003) is a cannabidiol (CBD)-derivative drug that acts as a potent cannabinoid agonist. It is highly selective for the cannabinoid-2 receptor (CB2 receptor) subtype, with a selectivity ...

. It has similar effects to other cannabinoid agonists such as sedation and

analgesia Pain management is an aspect of medicine and health care involving relief of pain (pain relief, analgesia, pain control) in various dimensions, from acute and simple to chronic and challenging. Most physicians and other health professional ...

, but with a relatively strong

antiinflammatory Anti-inflammatory is the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or swelling. Anti-inflammatory drugs, also called anti-inflammatories, make up about half of analgesics. These drugs remedy pain by reducing inflammation as ...

effect due to its strong activity at CB₂.

References

{{cannabinoids JWH cannabinoids Benzochromenes Primary alcohols