PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE ENDOGENOUS CANNABIMIMETIC MEDIATOR ANANDAMIDE

There has been a long history of medical interest in the Indian hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, which has been used therapeutically in many conditions. Interest has declined, however, due to the difficulties in reproducing its clinical effects accurately, added to the preoccupation with psychoactive effects. The discovery of specific receptors for the main active constituent, tetrahydrocannabinol, in mammalian brain and other tissues has re-awakened interest as has the identification of the endogenous ligands for these receptors, the anandamides. This review covers the physiology and pharmacology of the anandamides and theorises on the potential application of this new understanding to the future development of new drugs.