Cannabinoid treatment of opiate addiction

Opioid abuse is a growing global problem. Current therapies for opioid target withdrawal symptoms and have several adverse side effects. There are no treatments to address opioid-induced neural adaptations associated with addiction. Preclinical research demonstrates interactions between the endogenous cannabinoid systems, suggesting that cannabinoids may be used treat addiction dependence. The aim of this review assess how affect behavioural molecular measures dependence addiction-like behaviour in animal models. It appears cannabidiol receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonists potential treating drug-craving drug-seeking behaviour, based on evidence from preclinical Ligands which inhibit action degradation enzymes also show promise reducing self-administration rodents. Agonists CB1R could useful withdrawal; however, clinical utility these drugs limited by effects, an increase opiate tolerance induced consumption. mechanisms reduce addiction-relevant behaviours include modulation cannabinoid, serotonin, dopamine receptors, as well signalling cascades involving ERK-CREB-BDNF peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α. Identifying receptors involved their mechanism remains critical area future research.