Pharmacological and biochemical interactions between opioids and cannabinoids

Opioids and cannabinoids are among the most widely consumed drugs of abuse in humans. A number of studies have shown that both types of drugs share se veral pharmacological properties, including hypothermia, sedation, hypotens ion, inhibition of both intestinal motility and locomotor activity and, in particular, antinociception. Moreover, phenomena of cross-tolerance or mutu al potentiation of some of these pharmacological effects have been reported . in recent years, these phenomena have supported the possible existence of functional links in the mechanisms of action of both types of drugs. The p resent review addresses the recent advances in the study of pharmacological interactions between opioids and cannabinoids, focusing on two aspects: an tinociception and drug addiction. The potential biochemical mechanisms invo lved in these pharmacological interactions are also discussed together with possible therapeutic implications of opioid-cannabinoid interactions.