Cannabinoids and the Brain (häftad, eng)

A review of the scientific evidence on the effects of cannabinoids on brain and behavioral functioning, with an emphasis on potential therapeutic use.

The cannabis plant has been used for recreational and medicinal purposes for more than 4,000 years, but the scientific investigation into its effects has only recently yielded useful resultsIn this book, Linda Parker offers a review of the scientific evidence on the effects of cannabinoids on brain and behavioral functioning, with an emphasis on potential therapeutic uses.

Parker describes the discovery of tetrahydocannbinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis, and the further discovery of cannabinoid receptors in the brainShe explains that the brain produces chemicals similar to THC, which act on the same receptors as THC, and shows that the endocannabinoid system is involved in all aspects of brain functioning. Parker reports that cannabis contains not only the psychoactive compound THC, but also other compounds of potential therapeutic benefit, and that one of them, cannabidiol (CBD), shows promise for the treatment of pain, anxiety, and epilepsy.

Parker reviews the evidence on cannabinoids and anxiety, depression, mood, sleep, schizophrenia, learning and memory, addiction, sex, appetite and obesity, chemotherapy-induced nausea, epilepsy, and such neurodegenerative disorders as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer''s Disease.

Each chapter also links the scientific evidence to historical and anecdotal reports of the medicinal use of cannabis.

As debate about the medical use of marijuana continues, Parker''s balanced and objective review of the fundamental science and potential therapeutic effects of cannabis is especially timely.

Format	Häftad
Omfång	248 sidor
Språk	Engelska
Förlag	MIT Press Ltd
Utgivningsdatum	2018-09-25
ISBN	9780262536608