Preface

Cannabis sativa has a very long history of use for medical purposes, however this use declined early in the twentieth century due to the growing evidence of marijuana's addictive potential. Recent progress in cannabinoid pharmacology, together with the discovery of the body's endogenous cannabinoid system as a neuromodulatory system comprised of receptors, endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids), and enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids, has renewed interest in cannabis-based medicines. This allowed novel cannabinoid-based medicines development for treatment of different human pathologies, like Cesamet® (nabilone), Marinol® (synthetic THC), and Sativex® (an equimolecular combination of THC and cannabidiol enriched botanical extracts). This book is intended to provide a fascinating exploration into the latest evidence of therapeutic potentials of Cannabis derivatives, and to analyze the pros and cons for cannabis-based medications in mental diseases in a systematic and balanced manner. Leading academics and clinicians in the fields of medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology, and psychology illustrate and discuss the most recent findings on involvement of endocannabinoid system in 16 different brain diseases, ranging from rodent studies to clinical trials, from behavioral pharmacology to brain neurotransmission. By illustrating opinions of prominent experts on current advances in each mental disorder in a clear and readable form, this book provides a balanced synopsis of the role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in: 1) neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraine); 2) neurological and psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug addiction, appetite dysregulation); and 3) impulsive and compulsive disorders (impulsive behavior, obsessive-compulsive disorder, binge eating disorder, trichotillomania). An introductory chapter on Endocannabinoids in the nervous system health and disease paves the way for the following dedicated chapters, while a comprehensive overview on cannabinoid CB2 ligands and their therapeutic potential in mental diseases concludes this volume. This book will likely help unravel why some patients voluntarily consume cannabinoids to relieve symptoms (e.g. multiple sclerosis) while others (e.g. schizophrenic patients) are particularly vulnerable to cannabis exposure, and will shed (scientific) light on common myths concerning the medicinal uses of cannabis.