Although a variety of other receptors exist in the human body, “ranging from G-protein-coupled receptors [GPCRs] to ion channel & nuclear receptors,” only two cannabinoid receptors are widely acknowledged [CBR1 & CBR2]. Furthermore, two types of endocannabinoids N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine [AEA; anandamide] & 2-arachidonoylglycerol [2-AG] have been discovered to stimulate the activation of CBRs.
Both of these compounds are derivatives of arachidonic acid and remain the most studied endocannabinoids today. Whilst the cannabinoid subtype 1 receptor [CB1R] predominately commands in the brain and skeletal muscles, the cannabinoid subtype 2 receptor [CB2R] shows greater involvement in the liver and pancreatic islet cells [involved in metabolism].
Due to the non-psychoactive nature of most phytocannabinoids [excluding THC] the clinical application of cannabis has been presented to provide great therapeutic potential. Cannabidiol [CBD], in particular, has been indicated to ‘exert beneficial effects in various pathological conditions; including inflammation, cancer, addiction, and epilepsy.’
CBD has also shown great promise in the field of antinociception and other neurological disorders. It has been utilised to moderate chronic pain, with a range of companies producing creams & ointments containing equal amounts THC & CBD.
These cannabis based products are used to treat several kinds of multiple-sclerosis associated symptoms. Although little conclusive research has been made on the effects of Cannabinoids in cancer patients, CBD is best known for it’s “palliative effects, including reducing nausea and vomiting, alleviating cancer pain, and stimulating appetite...
It has been argued that cannabinoids can exert anti-tumor effects directly through the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis, or indirectly through the inhibition of angiogenesis, invasion & metastasis.” [Velasco G, Sánchez C, Guzmán M, Nat Rev Cancer. 2012 May 4; 12(6):436-44.]
Summarised by JATAKA™
Zou, Shenglong, and Ujendra Kumar. “Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 19
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