title: Molecular Mechanisms of Cannabis Signaling in the Brain.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Research in Psychiatry, Denver, Colorado, USA; Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA. Electronic address: Patrick.Ronan@VA.gov.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ronan
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Research in Psychiatry, Denver, Colorado, USA; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA; Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Narin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wongngamnit
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Research in Psychiatry, Denver, Colorado, USA; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Beresford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids
keywords: Cannabis signaling; addiction; cannabinoid receptors; molecular mechanisms; psychiatric disease