Positive and Negative Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids on Health

Abstract

Cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in the Western world. Repeated cannabis use has been associated with short‐ and long‐term side effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, cognitive alterations, psychosis, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. However, casual relations between cannabis use and these adverse effects are missing. On the other hand, recent research proposed promising therapeutic potential of cannabinoid‐based drugs for a wide range of medical conditions, including neurological and psychiatric disorders. The current article presents a contemporary review on the adverse effects, safety, and the therapeutic potential of cannabis and cannabinoid‐based drugs. Given the growing popularity in the use of cannabinoid‐based drugs for both recreational and medical purposes and their potential harmful effects, there is a need for further investigation in this field.

Cannabis “in utero”: the fetus as a compulsive consumer

“…Moreover, plays a fundamental role in pregnancy outcome and fetal development, and overstimulation of CBr1 in the placenta can impair fetal growth by inhibiting cytotrophoblastic proliferation [5,28,31]. The endocannabinoid receptors can be found on both presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic locations and are densely expressed in various regions within the brain [4], and its key function in mature neurons is modulate the release of neurotransmitters [18]. These receptors has been detected in the fetal human brain as early as 14 weeks of gestation and changes across development indicating important roles in fetal central nervous system (CNS) development events [5,32] such as neuronal proliferation, migration and synaptogenesis [18,33].…”

“…Over time, and adopting social rules, these substances were designated as licit or illicit according to their pharmacological properties and effects on the organism [1]. Among the various illicit substances cannabis products has been used cannabis for centuries for spiritual, medicinal and nonmedical purposes, and over the past 60 years recreational or non-medicinal use has spread globally by adolescents and youg adults, currently being the most commonly used by pregnant women that believe cannabis is natural and safer than other substances [2][3][4][5][6]. Studies have observed increased prevalence of pregnant women using cannabis in different forms.…”

Challenges in Neuropharmacology

“…Finally, the application of cannabis and cannabinoid drugs for the treatment of pain 17 and other neuropsychiatric disorders, in particular epilepsy, 18 has launched highly controversial discussions as there are strong differences in the national legislation of prescription and use. In this issue, Cohen et al 19 give a comprehensive review on the acute and long-term effects of cannabinoid drug use as well as their therapeutic potential and risk. The authors acknowledge that there are some positive effects of cannabinoids; however, they demand further large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled and comparator-controlled clinical trials to further substantiate the potential therapeutic role.…”

A Review of Cannabis and Interactions With Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Agents

“…Cannabis is a genus of plants of the Cannabaceae family and contains more than 500 compounds—120 cannabinoids and 80 biologically active chemical compounds . It is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, composed of a network of receptors (CB 1 and CB 2 ), signaling molecules, and enzymes.…”

“…Cannabis is a genus of plants of the Cannabaceae family and contains more than 500 compounds-120 cannabinoids and 80 biologically active chemical compounds. 4,5 It is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, composed of a network of receptors (CB 1 and CB 2 ), signaling molecules, and enzymes. Two common compounds found in cannabis are -9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are available as oral solid and semisolid dosage forms, vaporization, oils, topicals, and transdermal patches.…”