Cannabinoid Ligands and Alcohol Addiction: A Promising Therapeutic Tool or a Humbug?
The vast therapeutic potential of cannabinoids of both synthetic and plant-derived origins currently makes these compounds the focus of a growing interest. Although cannabinoids are still illicit drugs, their possible clinical usefulness, including treatment of acute or neuropathic pain, have been suggested by several studies. In addition, some observations indicate that cannabinoid receptor antagonists may be useful for the treatment of alcohol dependence and addiction, which is a major health concern worldwide. While the synergism between alcohol and cannabinoid agonists (in various forms) creates undesirable side effects when the two are consumed together, the administration of CB1 antagonists leads to a significant reduction in alcohol consumption. Furthermore, cannabinoid antagonists also mitigate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Herein, we present an overview of studies focusing on the effects of cannabinoid ligands (agonists and antagonists) during acute or chronic consumption of ethanol.
Department of Pharmacodynamics, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CEPT), Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.
Patrycja
P
Kleczkowska
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, College of Medicum, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, Poland.
Irena
I
Smaga
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, College of Medicum, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, Poland.|Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
Małgorzata
M
Filip
Department of Pharmacodynamics, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CEPT), Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland. magdalena.bujalska@wum.edu.pl.
Magdalena
M
Bujalska-Zadrozny
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism
D002186:Cannabinoids; D008024:Ligands; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
Alcohol; Cannabinoids; Co-administration; Endocannabinoid system