The Endocannabinoidome: The World of Endocannabinoids and Related Mediators is dedicated to the latest research and studies on endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors to illustrate their important role in the discovery of new, endocannabinoid-related, lipid mediators. Written by leading experts across different disciplines, this book focuses on the biochemical and anlayticial aspects of novel lipid signals, their pharmacological activities and their potential utilization for the development of new and effective therapeutic strategies. The first book of its kind, The Endocannabinoidome is a meaningful reference for all those involved in experimental efforts to further the development of this field. Explores the novel and exciting aspects of several endocannabinoid-like molecules for which researchers are still seeking a function Discusses the novel metabolic pathways for endocannabinoids in order to explain the failure of some clinical trials with inhibitors of more conventional metabolic pathways Incorporates pharmacology, biochemistry and potential clinical applications to provide researchers with a complete look at endocannabinoids

The use of cannabinoid-based medicines (CBM), and cannabis in particular, has risen steadily among cancer and palliative care patients over the last few years. This textbook aims to address the multiple challenges facing healthcare providers regarding the use of CBM in this vulnerable patient population. It provides insight into the latest preclinical and clinical data and offers a practical approach on the use of CBM in a rapidly evolving landscape. It answers questions regarding the prescribing process and elucidates controversies regarding cannabis’ disease-modifying effects. The first chapters will review basic concepts of the endocannabinoid system and pharmacology of CBM, while focusing more specifically on the unique characteristics of two main cannabinoids: THC and CBD. Indicating which benefits can be expected from using either or both of these compounds, the book then addresses issues of drug-drug interactions and other challenges involved in prescribing CBM to frail patients with polypharmacy and multiple comorbidities. Comparing available products, both approved and non-approved by the FDA, the book discusses regional challenges for accessing reliably tested and labelled products in the context of standardization efforts. After carefully determining objectives and addressing patient expectations, further chapters will examine the different clinical settings in which CBM may be useful in cancer care and explore symptom management, including cancer pain, anxiety, nausea, and insomnia among others. The possible benefits of cannabis psychoactivity will also be discussed, including harm reduction strategies for patients who wish to explore these effects. Cannabis and Cannabinoid-Based Medicines in Cancer Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Medical Management serves as a comprehensive text for oncologists, palliative care specialists, general practitioners, and nurse practitioners working with cancer patients or in palliative care settings.

Over the past decade, there have been major advances in understanding the mechanisms whereby marijuana interacts with the brain in producing psychoactive and potentially therapeutic effects. The discovery of specific gene coding for cannabinoid receptors activated by smoking marijuana, and the finding of endogenous cannabinoids, which also activate the receptors, have transformed cannabinoid research into mainstream science with significant implications in human health and disease Endocannabinoids: The Brain and Body’s Marijuana and Beyond documentsadvances in the discovery and functioning of naturally occurring marijuana-like substances in human biology. It explores recent findings that point to the existence of an endocannabinoid physiological control system (EPCS) that directly impacts human development, health, and disease. While cannabinoid effects on the brain have received the greatest attention throughout the literature, this work looks at research on the endogenous cannabinoid system’s association across all of human physiology, including the immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems. With thoroughly researched and exceptionally insightful contributions from more than three-dozen top-flight researchers representing a cross-section of disciplines from molecular biology, genetics, and neurology to gynecology, physiology, and pharmacology, this work explores a range of topics as wide as the human body is complex. These topics include the EPCS’s relation to cell development and regulation, CNS function, immune function modulation, reproduction, and digestion, as well as its function in mental illness, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The final section in the book considers the significance of endogenous cannabinoids found in some of the simplest multicellular organisms in the animal kingdom, as well as in mammalian cells at the earliest stages of development, all of which suggests that they play a fundamental role in human biology. Enocannabinoids: The Brain and Body’s Marijuana and Beyond explores areas that few books have ventured into, providing cutting-edge information that will ultimately help us better understand human biology at the systemic and perhaps even cellular level, as well as lead to the development of a whole new range of medications.

The cloning of two G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2, in the early 1990s has stimulated and facilitated research conducted on the physiological function of cannabinoid actions in the brain and throughout the body. In the twenty years since the identification of these two receptors, endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) for these receptors have been identified, their biosynthetic and metabolic pathways have been discerned, and their functional and regulatory action for signalling through CB1 and CB2 receptors have been described. More recently, it has become has become evident that cannabinoids exert actions at non-CB1, non-CB2 receptors. Much less is understood about these actions. Many of these novel?targets? are in the process of being characterized functionally and physiologically, and the therapeutic value of targeting these non-CB1, non-CB2 receptors is being evaluated. The purpose of this volume is to present the current knowledge on the atypical actions of cannabinoids on these new targets. This book is intended as a scientific resource for cannabinoid researchers carrying out animal and human experiments, and for those who are interested in learning about future directions in cannabinoid research. Additionally, this book may be of value to investigators currently working outside the field of cannabinoid research who have an interest in learning about these compounds and their atypical cannabinoid signalling. This book provides insight into the potential medical application of cannabinoids and their therapeutic development for the treatment of human disease.

The science of cannabinoids is 50 years old. These past years provided a remarkable and constant number of breakthroughs, showing that the signaling mediated by endocannabinoids and lipid mediators impacts almost every function of the body. Indeed, this represents a special field of research, which allows tackling the complexity of biological functions, and provides potential therapeutic frameworks for a plethora of diseases. The number of exciting discoveries brought up to the scientific community almost on a daily basis highlights the importance of an updated volume on this topic. Particularly, given that potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids are currently under heavy analysis in many Countries worldwide. Hence, the main objective of this book is to explore not only some of the many functions of endocannabinoids (and lipid mediators) in physiological control of networks at a cellular and molecular level, but also to extend this knowledge for potential use of cannabinoids and/or drugs regulating endocannabinoid levels in vivo as therapeutic target(s) in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this book new findings and ideas about the endocannabinoid system and its roles as neuronal circuit modulator related to human brain pathologies characterized by alterations in neuroplasticity will be highlighted. Endocannabinoid roles in key systems controlling appetite, pain, learning and memory, as well as sleep and stress responses will be presented. In addition, pathological processes associated with changes in endocannabinoid signaling will be discussed in the context of anxiety, autism, depression and addiction. This book will provide an excellent background to researchers looking for extending their areas of interest, and to newcomers in the field.

The Endocannabinoid System: Genetics, Biochemistry, Brain Disorders, and Therapy examines the cellular, biochemical, genetic, and therapeutic aspects of the endocannabinoid system. The chapters cover significant conceptual advances in the endocannabinoid field and shed light on the many brain disorders in which this biological system is involved. Written by world-leading experts in the field, the topics covered in this book will have a positive impact on the area of molecular biology, including, but not limited to, cell biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, signaling, disease mechanisms, and therapeutics. Provides an introduction to endocannabinoids in the central nervous system and an overview to their functions in the brain Presents information on neurobiological and cellular studies on the role of the cannabinoid signaling system and its implications in human diseases Includes well-written overviews of the basics of endocannabinoid system structure and function Contains well-illustrated material, with diagrams, charts, and tables Explores compelling case studies and their application to chapters written by experts

Cannabinoid Pharmacology, Volume 80 is a new volume in the Advances in Pharmacology that presents reviews of recent breakthroughs. This volume aims to present current knowledge of the endogenous cannabinoid system, and looks at molecular, cellular, tissue and organismal effects of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids. Topics of note in this new volume include Endocannabinoids and their congeners, Endocannabinoid turnover, Plant cannabinoids, Synthetic cannabinoids and ‘legal highs’, CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, Novel signaling modalities, Novel cannabinoid receptors, and Ion channel regulation by cannabinoids. There is a broad coverage of the essential elements associated with the cannabinoid system. The Editors have sought to include authors who represent authoritative voices on these themes, but have not previously worked together to allow a fresh approach to the individual aspects covered. Presents reviews of recent breakthroughs in the cannabinoid system Features chapters from the best authors in the field Provides an essential resource for scientists, advanced undergraduate students through to established faculty members