About this Research Topic
These are exciting times for cannabinoid researchers inspired by the purpose of using scientific knowledge to foster medical innovation. The understanding of Cannabis and cannabinoids as a potential medicinal tool is being consolidated by different initiatives around the globe. The tide is rising and we are observing a real wave of health products being developed by biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical industries and universities.
Learning from past experiences, we understand that while there may be a place for cannabinoids in the therapeutic toolbox, they should be supported by scientific evidence to generate safe and effective products. On the one hand, there are a plethora of cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant, whose safety appears well understood, but that are not optimized for a given molecular strategy (i.e. they are "dirty" molecules). On the other hand, synthetic molecules are under development which are specifically designed and optimized for a given molecular target, but whose safety in humans is uncertain. Recent discoveries from the field of allosteric modulation also suggests that distinct classes of molecules can synergistically interact in the endocannabinoid system, going hand-in-hand with the ancient idea that natural compounds work "better together" as a phytocomplex. In the Cannabis plant, there are a number of minor cannabinoids and other non-cannabinoid compounds, like terpenes and flavonoids that may foster such action, but whose mechanism of action is still to be addressed.
The objective of this issue is to bring together relevant international researchers from the cannabinoid field to build up an international panorama of well-informed opinions, perspectives and original science that evaluates the use of cannabinoid compounds as therapeutic tools. Researchers with a range of opinions are welcome to submit their contribution, as long as they provide scientifically sound evidence to support their perspective. We particularly welcome submission of data on the interaction between compounds, evidence of effective therapeutic effects, and original results showing new mechanisms of action within the endocannabinoid system.
It's an exciting and appropriate time for an update on what's hot in cannabinoid therapeutics.
Learning from past experiences, we understand that while there may be a place for cannabinoids in the therapeutic toolbox, they should be supported by scientific evidence to generate safe and effective products. On the one hand, there are a plethora of cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant, whose safety appears well understood, but that are not optimized for a given molecular strategy (i.e. they are "dirty" molecules). On the other hand, synthetic molecules are under development which are specifically designed and optimized for a given molecular target, but whose safety in humans is uncertain. Recent discoveries from the field of allosteric modulation also suggests that distinct classes of molecules can synergistically interact in the endocannabinoid system, going hand-in-hand with the ancient idea that natural compounds work "better together" as a phytocomplex. In the Cannabis plant, there are a number of minor cannabinoids and other non-cannabinoid compounds, like terpenes and flavonoids that may foster such action, but whose mechanism of action is still to be addressed.
The objective of this issue is to bring together relevant international researchers from the cannabinoid field to build up an international panorama of well-informed opinions, perspectives and original science that evaluates the use of cannabinoid compounds as therapeutic tools. Researchers with a range of opinions are welcome to submit their contribution, as long as they provide scientifically sound evidence to support their perspective. We particularly welcome submission of data on the interaction between compounds, evidence of effective therapeutic effects, and original results showing new mechanisms of action within the endocannabinoid system.
It's an exciting and appropriate time for an update on what's hot in cannabinoid therapeutics.
Keywords: cannabinoid, Cannabis, marijuana, THC, CBD, terpene, endocannabinoid system, pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, neuroscience, neurology
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