Cannabis on the brain: Is it neurotoxic or neuroprotective?

Recent studies have further confirmed that cannabis produces its psychologi cal and behavioural effects by acting on specific cannabinoid receptors in the brain and that the brain also contains naturally occurring cannabinoids known as 'endocannabinoids'. Although some recent studies suggest that can nabis may be neurotoxic and that this may explain the effects of cannabis o n short-term memory, this' review argues that this evidence is not convinci ng and that there is increasing evidence that many cannabinoids have neurop rotective effects, and may be useful in the treatment of some neuropsychiat ric disorders.