Cannabinoids: Drug or Medication?

Abstract

This chapter aims at exploring the use and misuse of cannabinoids as it has become a major societal issue. In the first section, we describe the historical use of cannabis as a natural cure in ancient civilizations. We then explore the current use of cannabinoids in medicine, which includes innovative strategies for treating various diseases such as multiple sclerosis or cancer-induced pain. In the second section, we consider how the discovery and characterization of the endocannabinoid system have increased knowledge of this system's mode of action. Consumption of cannabis for recreational use however is a significant public health issue today. Scientific advances are confronted with the adverse health effects that are demonstrated in preclinical and clinical studies based on the psychotic and addictive properties of this compound. In the third section, we therefore provide an overview of the recent findings on the endocannabinoid system using animal models with proposed molecular mechanisms and potential interactions with other neuromodulatory systems like the opioid system. Finally, through alternative strategies to current treatments with both phyto-and synthetic cannabinoids, we try to reconcile the beneficial aspects of the use of cannabinoids for medication and the aspects associated with addictive properties.

Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol changes the brain lipidome and transcriptome differentially in the adolescent and the adult

“…Although THC may not directly affect neurogenesis [111], challenging the eCB system with THC may produce changes in gene expression that support a decrease in neurogenesis, such as a downregulation of CB 1 , contributing to the increased risk of psychopathology in people who heavily used cannabis during their youth [112, 113]. Indeed, chronic exposure of male rats to the synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 during adolescence caused deficits in spatial learning and memory that were more severe than those seen when the drug was administered during adulthood and were correlated with a stronger reduction in dorsal hippocampal neurogenesis [114].…”