The cannabinoid system as a therapeutic target

Abstract

The aim is to raise a commentary on the potential use of drugs that modulate the endocannabinoid system. The discovery in 1988 of a brain cannabinoid receptor (CB1) and four years later of the first endogenous ligand for that receptor, anandamide, demonstrated the existence in the brain of an endogenous cannabinoid signalin system later spread along the organism. The recent development of new drugs such as those aimed to interact with either the CB1 or the mechanisms involved on the release, uptake and degradation of endogenous cannabinoids will help to develop new strategies for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. They include the psychosis, motor disorders associated with several neuropsychiatric diseases (Parkinson, Huntington, Gilles de la Tourette, corea, etc.), food disorders, addictive disorders, pain or cancer diseases. The old social claim of using marijuana as a medicine has now become increasing an expansive a very active scientific field of the endocannabinoid system. Nevertheless, the therapeutic utilization of the cannabinoid is not exempt from polemic, specially to the use of the plant and the possible consequences and the future perspectives that the endocannabinoid system represents endocannabinoide a pharmacological target ant its potential therapeutic use and a role the general physiology.