Throughout the past week in our neurochemistry class, we discussed the issue of medical cannabis and endogenous cannabinoids found within our body. Although a lot of the class discussion revolved around the political debate of the legalization of medical marijuana in the United States, I thought that the most interesting components of our literature article was the potential uses of endogenous cannabinoids. Endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs) can most simply be defined as molecules that are both similar physically and functionally to cannabis and are found naturally throughout our body. Endogenous cannabinoids are neurotransmitters that affect various functions in our body including pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, movement, coordination, sensory, and the perception of time. The molecule of interest in marijuana, THC, mimics the endogenous cannabinoid transmitter achieving similar natural effects. Experimentation within the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) has identified molecules that are involved in various physiological processes. Advancement within this field will require both research about the mechanism in which Marijuana works in our body and the direct application of the ECS within our body.
To start off I think it will be beneficial to illustrate how cannabis derivatives achieve their effects in our body. Cannabimimetic molecules achieve their effects by binding to G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors (GPCRs) on the surface of a cell. GPCRs are further categorized into two main types, CB1 and CB2 receptors. Although not crucial in understanding the rudimentary effects that cannabis derivatives have in the body, CB1 receptors are found extensively in the brain and CB2 receptors in the immune system. When a cannabinoid derivative binds to a CB1/CB2 receptor, cellular activity within the cell is altered. Simply put, both the desirable compounds in marijuana and the endogenous cannabinoids bind to these receptors, which results in a physiological response.
With knowing this over simplified schematic, one may pose the question as to why we don’t just isolate these compounds and achieve the same desirable effects that come from marijuana? Although this solution seems to make sense, in practice it can’t be done as of now. Partially, this is the result of Marijuana being listed as a Schedule One drug in the United States. A Schedule One drug is defined as being a substance that possesses no medical benefit and is shown to be highly addictive. I am not going to get into my personal convictions, but the fact of the matter is that this label makes it extremely difficult for there to be credible research performed on marijuana. In turn, marijuana being listed as a Schedule One drug has limited our understanding of how the drug behaves mechanistically within our body. Another issue presented within our understanding of marijuana is something called the Entourage Effect. The Entourage Effect explains how all the compounds within marijuana “act together” to achieve its psychotic and medical effects that can be called desirable. The Entourage Effect further complicates how isolating cannabinoid molecules will affect us.
So, with all that said, where are we at? Well within the context of applying endogenous cannabinoids in our body, that’s difficult to answer. I believe that further research about the mechanism in which marijuana acts in our body and strengthening our knowledge of endogenous cannabinoids within our body is essential. With further understanding, I feel that we will be able to isolate the beneficial effects that marijuana can have in our body through naturally present endogenous cannabinoids. Applications could include increasing the appetites of cancer patients to aid in recovery, decrease in nausea, pain reduction, and anti-inflammatory symptoms. In summary, the endocannabinoid system presents a promising target for effective therapeutics without the entire effects marijuana can have on our bodies.
Endogenous Cannabinoids and Their Potential Medical Applications
