Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in mood and related disorders.
C H Ashton, P B Moore
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica October 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01687.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Anandamide Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabidiol (CBD) Synthetic cannabinoids |
| Key findings | The authors propose that the endocannabinoid system, which maintains homeostatic balance of cortical excitation and inhibition, is dysfunctional in mood and related disorders. They contend that anandamide, THC, and CBD have combined antidepressant, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, analgesic, and anticonvulsant properties, suggesting therapeutic potential, while noting that efficacy trials in psychiatric disorders are limited but offer some encouragement. |
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (EC) system is widely distributed throughout the brain and modulates many functions. It is involved in mood and related disorders, and its activity may be modified by exogenous cannabinoids. This article examines the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in psychiatric disorders. An overview is presented of the literature focussed on the functions of the EC system, its dysfunction in mood disorders and the therapeutic potential of exogenous cannabinoids. We propose (hypothesize) that the EC system, which is homoeostatic in cortical excitation and inhibition, is dysfunctional in mood and related disorders. Anandamide, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) variously combine antidepressant, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, analgesic, anticonvulsant actions, suggesting a therapeutic potential in mood and related disorders. Currently, cannabinoids find a role in pain control. Post mortem and other studies report EC system abnormalities in depression, schizophrenia and suicide. Abnormalities in the cannabinoid-1 receptor (CNR1) gene that codes for cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors are reported in psychiatric disorders. However, efficacy trials of cannabinoids in psychiatric disorders are limited but offer some encouragement. Research is needed to elucidate the role of the EC system in psychiatric disorders and for clinical trials with THC, CBD and synthetic cannabinoids to assess their therapeutic potential.
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- Evidence for pro-cognitive benefits of cannabinoids in people with bipolar disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology July 21, 2026
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