Function of cannabinoid receptors in the neuroendocrine regulation of hormone secretion

Marijuana and its cannabinoid constituents have profound effects on anterio r pituitary hormone secretion. Exposure to Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in hibits gonadotropin, prolactin, growth hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hor mone release and stimulates the release of corticotropin. Consequently, can nabinoid exposure could have profound effects on the function of the reprod uctive system, lactation, metabolism, and on the endocrine stress axis. The acute effects of cannabinoids on the endocrine system are consistent with its actions on brain neurotransmitter systems involved in the regulation of neuropeptides that modulate anterior pituitary hormone secretion. Although cannabinoid receptors appear to play a major role in the ability of cannab inoids to influence hormone release, much remains to be learned concerning their function in the neuroendocrine regulation of hormone secretion, (C) 1 998 Academic Press.