title: Discovery of endocannabinoids and some random thoughts on their possible roles in neuroprotection and aggression.
abstract: A short history of the discovery of the main plant cannabinoid, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and of the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and 2-arachidonyl glyceryl ether (noladin ether) is presented. The role of the cannabinoids in neuroprotection, with emphasis on the endocannabinoids, is described. The unexpected production of aggression by Cannabis and cannabinoids under stressful conditions, published mainly in the past, is summarized.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mechoulam
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000819:agonists
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D015777:Eicosanoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; C078814:anandamide