PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE ENDOGENOUS CANNABIMIMETIC MEDIATORANANDAMIDE

There has been a long history of medical interest in the Indian hemp p lant, Cannabis sativa, which has been used therapeutically in many con ditions. Interest has declined, however, due to the difficulties in re producing 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 t he endogenous ligands for these receptors, the anandamides. This revie w covers the physiology and pharmacology of the anandamides and theori ses on the potential application of this new understanding to the futu re development of new drugs.