Across 13 animal studies, the CB2 cannabinoid receptor was consistently shown to modulate food intake and energy balance, with both pharmacological manipulation and genetic knockout demonstrating its role in standard and palatable diet consumption.
Obesity researchers, endocrinologists, neuroscientists studying appetite, pharmacologists.
CB2 receptors in brain reward areas modulate food intake independent of CB1
What the researchers found
CB2 receptors in brain reward areas modulate food intake. Two main experimental strategies confirmed this: (1) administering CB2 agonists/antagonists intraperitoneally or intracerebroventricularly, and (2) CB2 receptor knockout in mice. Both approaches demonstrated that CB2 receptors are necessary for modulating food intake and mediating energy balance.
Why it matters
Most appetite research has focused on CB1 receptors (the target of the withdrawn anti-obesity drug rimonabant). Finding that CB2 receptors also regulate food intake opens a potential path to appetite-modulating drugs without the psychiatric side effects that doomed CB1 antagonists.
The numbers in context
13 studies included from 3 databases. CB2 receptor found in brain reward areas. Both pharmacological and genetic approaches confirmed food intake modulation.
How the study worked
Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO databases. 13 studies included. Risk of bias assessed using SYRCLE tool for animal studies.
What this study cannot tell us
All included studies are animal models, limiting direct clinical translation. Only 13 studies available, reflecting a young research area. SYRCLE risk of bias tool has limitations. No human data included.
How to read the evidence
Systematic review with PRISMA methodology and risk of bias assessment, but limited to 13 animal studies.
When this study was published
Published in 2023.
The bigger picture
The failure of rimonabant (a CB1 antagonist) due to depression and suicidal ideation was a major setback for cannabinoid-based obesity treatment. CB2 receptors, which are less associated with mood regulation, could offer an alternative therapeutic target with a better safety profile.
Questions still open
- Could CB2-targeted drugs modulate appetite in humans without the psychiatric risks of CB1 drugs?
- Do CB2 receptors play different roles in regulating palatable vs. standard diet intake?
Common questions
Do cannabinoid receptors control appetite?
Could this lead to anti-obesity drugs?
Read the original research
Role of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in the Regulation of Food Intake: A Systematic Review.
International journal of molecular sciences, 24(24)
Citation
Rodríguez-Serrano, Luis Miguel; Chávez-Hernández, María Elena. (2023). Role of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in the Regulation of Food Intake: A Systematic Review.. International journal of molecular sciences, 24(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417516
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