Drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system — particularly metabolism inhibitors and receptor modulators — show promise for treating substance use disorders, trauma-related disorders, and autism.
Psychiatrists, pharmacologists, and drug development researchers focused on the endocannabinoid system.
3 disorder categoriesshowing promise: substance use disorders, trauma-related disorders, and autism spectrum disorders
What the researchers found
Inhibitors of endocannabinoid metabolism and modulators of cannabinoid receptor signaling have emerged as potential treatments for substance use disorders, anxiety and trauma-related disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.
Why it matters
While cannabis itself has complex and sometimes harmful psychiatric effects, targeted drugs that modulate the endocannabinoid system could provide therapeutic benefits without cannabis side effects.
The numbers in context
Not quantified in abstract; review covers preclinical models and emerging clinical trial data for substance use disorders, trauma-related disorders, and autism.
How the study worked
Narrative review of pharmacological tools targeting the endocannabinoid system, their preclinical effects, and emerging clinical trial data for psychiatric conditions.
Who was studied
Not applicable (review of preclinical and clinical research across psychiatric populations).
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Many findings are preclinical. Clinical trial data is limited and early-stage.
How to read the evidence
Narrative review synthesizing preclinical and early clinical evidence; most promising findings still require larger trials.
When this study was published
Recent review covering the current state of endocannabinoid-targeted drug development.
The bigger picture
This review highlights the distinction between using cannabis (which has unpredictable effects) and targeting specific components of the endocannabinoid system with precision medications for psychiatric treatment.
Replication
Review article; individual drug candidates at various stages of development.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Which endocannabinoid system targets are most promising for clinical development?
- Can these drugs avoid the psychiatric side effects that doomed earlier CB1 blockers?
Read the original research
The endocannabinoid system as a putative target for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses.
Psychological medicine, 53(15), 7006-7024
Citation
Hill, Matthew N; Haney, Margaret; Hillard, Cecilia J; Karhson, Debra S; Vecchiarelli, Haley A. (2023). The endocannabinoid system as a putative target for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses.. Psychological medicine, 53(15), 7006-7024. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723002465