Cannabinoids and marijuana in particular have been the topic of many political debates and policy in the past decade. The use of marijuana both recreationally and medicinally have become legalized in several states within the US. However this is not a new drug by any means, cannabinoids have been used for hundreds of years and now is the most widely used illicit drug in many countries around the world. In order to better understand how this drug functions, let us examine its neurologic pathway and delve into how it can be used medically.
Endocannabinoids:
When people think of cannabinoids, the first association is almost unanimously to marijuana. What many people do not know is that there are cannabinoids that are made within the body already, these molecules are thus called endocannabinoids. Although these endocannabinoids may not have the same psychoactive effects as cannabinoids from marijuana, they still play a key role in the function of many neurological pathways. Many endocannabinoids are present in the human body, however the two most common ones are AEA and 2-AG.
Anandamide (AEA)
AEA has been found to be a modulator in both the central and autonomic nervous systems. It has also shown to be present in the function of systems such as the immune system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive system. The physical effects caused by AEA include analgesia, control of motor activity, reduced emesis, and stimulation of appetite.
2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)
2-AG has been found in many of the same systems as AEA and possesses many of the same characteristics, however both 2-AG and AEA bind with different affinities to the endocannabinoid receptors. This variance is the cause of different physical responses that have been observed.
Receptors and the Pathway:
There are predominantly two endocannabinoid receptors found in humans, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are primarily found in lipid rafts in the cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum, while CB2 receptors are found primarily in immune cells in the periphery. Although these receptors are different, both AEA and 2-AG can bind to CB1 and CB2. The difference lies in the affinity to which the two endocannabinoids bind to the receptors. AEA binds with a greater affinity to CB2, while 2-AG binds with a greater affinity to CB1.
Recent Discoveries:
While the use of cannabinoids as analgesics, motor depressors, and appetite stimulators have been well documented, recent research has found a correlation between endocannabinoids and cell apoptosis (cell death). While at first this may seem counterintuitive — cell death being a good thing — many of the cells that are being targeted by endocannabinoids are associated with cancer growth. The use of endocannabinoids has been observed to cause apoptosis in multiple different cell cancer types including: breast carcinoma cells, prostate cancer cells, pancreatic tumor cells, colon cancer cells, etc. However the apoptosis caused by these endocannabinoids vary by the type of cancer and the pathway by which apoptosis occurs. Different responses caused by the signaling of CB1 and CB2 receptors include: inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, ceramide synthesis, calcium influx, etc.
Although there is much controversy in the use of cannabinoids as psychoactive drugs, there are many good things that can come out of endocannabinoid use, which are currently being studied and implemented. What should be looked at is the good that endocannabinoids can bring to a society and all of the positives that still can be discovered through further research.
Don’t ask what you can do for your cannabis, ask what your cannabis can do for you!
