The Endocannabinoid System: A Case Study

Cannabis There are over 450 chemicals and relatively sixty pharmacologically active compounds called, cannabinoids, found in Cannabis (Wallace et al. 2001). The two most acknowledged compounds is -9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which is non-psychoactive. THC is the dominant psychoactive compound in Cannabis. The ratio of these compounds correlate to the therapeutic effects in contrast to the psychoactive effects when levels of THC is higher. Both THC and CB have anticonvulsant properties (Wallace et al. 2001). Cannabinoid receptors are extensively dispersed neurally (Vaney et al. 2004). The endocannabinoid system is a group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors found across the brain and spinal cord. The endocannabinoid system regulates physiological mechanisms, such as memory, appetite, pain,

Cannabinoids can alleviate pain responses through CB-1 receptor interactions (Wallace et al. 2001). The two primary receptors are the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors, which are found in the hippocampus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves (Vaney et al. 2004). Fatty acid neurotransmitters, such as anandamide, are naturally ligands of cannabinoid receptors found in mammalian tissues. Anandamide, when directed, can activate CB-1 receptors releasing amino acids, and monoamine neurotransmitters, like dopamine (Fadda et al. 2004). Cannabis can imitate anandamide and activate CB-1 receptors, which can easily be overactivated, releasing excessive amounts of dopamine. The exact mechanism of THC and CBD’s anticonvulsant activity is unknown but that is is may somehow involve ion channels controlled by CB-1 receptors (Wallace