The endocannabinoid system: emotion, learning and addiction.
Fabrício A. Moreira, Beat Lutz
Addiction Biology June 2008 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2008.00104.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Key findings | The authors argue that the endocannabinoid system's diverse emotional effects, ranging from bliss to anxiety and panic, can be understood through three properties: its 'on-demand' activity tied to environmental stimuli and emotional state, its wide neuroanatomical distribution across brain regions with different roles in aversive responses, and its regulation of other neurotransmitters such as GABA and glutamate that may have opposing functions. |
Abstract
The identification of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1 receptor) was the milestone discovery in the elucidation of the behavioural and emotional responses induced by the Cannabis sativa constituent Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol. The subsequent years have established the existence of the endocannabinoid system. The early view relating this system to emotional responses is reflected by the fact that N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine, the pioneer endocannabinoid, was named anandamide after the Sanskrit word 'ananda', meaning 'bliss'. However, the emotional responses to cannabinoids are not always pleasant and delightful. Rather, anxiety and panic may also occur after activation of CB1 receptors. The present review discusses three properties of the endocannabinoid system as an attempt to understand these diverse effects. First, this system typically functions 'on-demand', depending on environmental stimuli and on the emotional state of the organism. Second, it has a wide neuro-anatomical distribution, modulating brain regions with different functions in responses to aversive stimuli. Third, endocannabinoids regulate the release of other neurotransmitters that may have even opposing functions, such as GABA and glutamate. Further understanding of the temporal, spatial and functional characteristics of this system is necessary to clarify its role in emotional responses and will promote advances in its therapeutic exploitation.
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Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Cognitive Impairment Induced by Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol Occurs through Heteromers between Cannabinoid CB1 and Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptors PLoS Biology July 9, 2015
- Modulation of effective connectivity during emotional processing by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology September 24, 2009
- Endocannabinoid system and psychiatry: in search of a neurobiological basis for detrimental and potential therapeutic effects Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2011
- Effects of cannabinoid drugs on the deficit of prepulse inhibition of startle in an animal model of schizophrenia: the SHR strain Frontiers in Pharmacology 2014
- Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol produce dissociable effects on prefrontal cortical executive function and regulation of affective behaviors Neuropsychopharmacology November 27, 2018
and 11 more in the library
Cites 18
- Antidepressant-like activity and modulation of brain monoaminergic transmission by blockade of anandamide hydrolysis Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences December 13, 2005
- Psychiatric effects of cannabis The British Journal of Psychiatry February 1, 2001
- Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research April 1, 2006
- Cannabinoids Elicit Antidepressant-Like Behavior and Activate Serotonergic Neurons through the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Journal of Neuroscience October 24, 2007
- CB1 receptor stimulation in specific brain areas differently modulate anxiety-related behaviour. Neuropharmacology January 2008
and 13 more in the library