Cannabis Use and the Endocannabinoid System: A Clinical Perspective

Summary & key facts

This paper looks at how cannabis affects the brain system that normally uses similar chemicals, called the endocannabinoid system. The authors review evidence from clinical studies. They explain that cannabis ingredients act on the same brain switches that control mood, memory, pain, sleep, and stress. Some ingredients can help some symptoms for some people, but others can raise the chance of problems like dependence, thinking or memory issues, and worsening mental health in vulnerable people. The review says doctors should know both the possible benefits and the risks when patients use cannabis or medical cannabis.

Key facts:

• The paper is a clinical review that explains how the body’s endocannabinoid system and plant cannabis interact.
• The endocannabinoid system helps control mood, memory, pain, sleep, appetite, and how the body reacts to stress.
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the cannabis ingredient that produces the main psychoactive effects and can cause intoxication and later problems for some users.
• Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another cannabis ingredient that acts differently in the brain and is discussed as having different effects and potential therapeutic uses than THC.
• Clinical evidence for medical use of cannabis is mixed: some people report symptom relief for things like pain or sleep, but the research is not clear-cut and benefits vary by condition and by cannabis product.
• Regular or heavy cannabis use is linked to a higher risk of developing cannabis use disorder (dependence) and can be associated with cognitive or mental-health problems, especially in young people or those already vulnerable.
• The authors recommend clinicians learn about a patient’s cannabis use, because cannabis can affect psychiatric symptoms and interact with other treatments.

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Agonist Anxiety Cannabidiol Cannabinoid Cannabinoid receptor Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Cannabis Effects of cannabis Endocannabinoid system Euphoriant Internal medicine Medicine Psychiatry Psychology Receptor

Substances

Cannabis medical cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Addiction Anxiety Chronic Pain Depression PTSD Sleep disorder Substance abuse disorder Addiction or harmful habbits Anxiety or worry Chronic pain Poor sleep Sadness or low mood