The therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids

Abstract

Cannabinoids mainly target the endocannabinoid system, which emerges as a potentially interesting therapeutical target due to its major role in modulating key biological processes throughout the body. As such, cannabinoids have already been proposed as, for example, anti-emetics, antispasticity agents, appetite stimulants, anti-epileptic, analgesic, depressants of intraocular pressure or as agents to control movement disorders in Tourette syndrome. Here, we reviewed the research evidence available regarding the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for a set of suggested therapeutical applications, and addressed some of the short- and long-term risks that have been correlated with the use of these substances. We found scarce scientific evidence supporting the use of cannabis-based products for most of the suggested applications, as well as no unmet medical need that is not already tackled by existing medicines (some cannabinoid-based) in the market. In such a scenario, the potential risks associated with the chronic use of these substances may deter their medical use.