Abstract
Cannabis has been cultivated and used by humans for thousands of years. Research for decades was focused on understanding the mechanisms of an illegal/addictive drug. This led to the discovery of the vast endocannabinoid system. Research has now shifted to understanding fundamental biological questions related to one of the most widespread signaling systems in both the brain and the body. Our understanding of cannabinoid signaling has advanced significantly in the last two decades. In this review, we discuss the state of knowledge on mechanisms of Cannabis signaling in the brain and the modulation of key brain neurotransmitter systems involved in both brain reward/addiction and psychiatric disorders. It is highly probable that various cannabinoids will be found to be efficacious in the treatment of a number of psychiatric disorders. However, while there is clearly much potential, marijuana has not been properly vetted by the medical-scientific evaluation process and there are clearly a range of potentially adverse side-effects - including addiction. We are at crossroads for research on endocannabinoid function and therapeutics (including the use of exogenous treatments such as Cannabis). With over 100 cannabinoid constituents, the majority of which have not been studied, there is much Cannabis research yet to be done. With more states legalizing both the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana the rigorous scientific investigation into cannabinoid signaling is imperative.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Molecular Basis of Drug Addiction, 2016 |
| Editors | Shafiqur Rahman |
| Publisher | Elsevier B.V. |
| Pages | 123-147 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780128037867 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Publication series
| Name | Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science |
|---|---|
| Volume | 137 |
| ISSN (Print) | 1877-1173 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 1878-0814 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- addiction
- cannabinoid receptors
- Cannabis signaling
- molecular mechanisms
- psychiatric disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Medicine
- Molecular Biology
Cite this
Molecular Mechanisms of Cannabis Signaling in the Brain. / Ronan, Patrick; Wongngamnit, Narin; Beresford, Thomas P.
The Molecular Basis of Drug Addiction, 2016. ed. / Shafiqur Rahman. Elsevier B.V., 2016. p. 123-147 (Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science; Vol. 137).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Molecular Mechanisms of Cannabis Signaling in the Brain
AU - Ronan, Patrick
AU - Wongngamnit, Narin
AU - Beresford, Thomas P.
PY - 2016/1/1
Y1 - 2016/1/1
N2 - Cannabis has been cultivated and used by humans for thousands of years. Research for decades was focused on understanding the mechanisms of an illegal/addictive drug. This led to the discovery of the vast endocannabinoid system. Research has now shifted to understanding fundamental biological questions related to one of the most widespread signaling systems in both the brain and the body. Our understanding of cannabinoid signaling has advanced significantly in the last two decades. In this review, we discuss the state of knowledge on mechanisms of Cannabis signaling in the brain and the modulation of key brain neurotransmitter systems involved in both brain reward/addiction and psychiatric disorders. It is highly probable that various cannabinoids will be found to be efficacious in the treatment of a number of psychiatric disorders. However, while there is clearly much potential, marijuana has not been properly vetted by the medical-scientific evaluation process and there are clearly a range of potentially adverse side-effects - including addiction. We are at crossroads for research on endocannabinoid function and therapeutics (including the use of exogenous treatments such as Cannabis). With over 100 cannabinoid constituents, the majority of which have not been studied, there is much Cannabis research yet to be done. With more states legalizing both the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana the rigorous scientific investigation into cannabinoid signaling is imperative.
AB - Cannabis has been cultivated and used by humans for thousands of years. Research for decades was focused on understanding the mechanisms of an illegal/addictive drug. This led to the discovery of the vast endocannabinoid system. Research has now shifted to understanding fundamental biological questions related to one of the most widespread signaling systems in both the brain and the body. Our understanding of cannabinoid signaling has advanced significantly in the last two decades. In this review, we discuss the state of knowledge on mechanisms of Cannabis signaling in the brain and the modulation of key brain neurotransmitter systems involved in both brain reward/addiction and psychiatric disorders. It is highly probable that various cannabinoids will be found to be efficacious in the treatment of a number of psychiatric disorders. However, while there is clearly much potential, marijuana has not been properly vetted by the medical-scientific evaluation process and there are clearly a range of potentially adverse side-effects - including addiction. We are at crossroads for research on endocannabinoid function and therapeutics (including the use of exogenous treatments such as Cannabis). With over 100 cannabinoid constituents, the majority of which have not been studied, there is much Cannabis research yet to be done. With more states legalizing both the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana the rigorous scientific investigation into cannabinoid signaling is imperative.
KW - addiction
KW - cannabinoid receptors
KW - Cannabis signaling
KW - molecular mechanisms
KW - psychiatric disease
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84957827999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84957827999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.002
DO - 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.002
M3 - Conference contribution
SN - 9780128037867
T3 - Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
SP - 123
EP - 147
BT - The Molecular Basis of Drug Addiction, 2016
A2 - Rahman, Shafiqur
PB - Elsevier B.V.
ER -