Therapeutic Applications for Agents that Act at CB1 and CB2 Receptors

This chapter reviews evidence that supports the established therapeutic uses of cannabinoid receptor ligands: CB1 and/or CB2 receptor agonists as anti-emetics, appetite stimulants, and analgesics for the relief of neuropathic pain, and CB1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic risk factors. It also identifies and discusses some additional potential therapeutic applications of cannabinoid receptor ligands for which the preclinical and clinical evidence is particularly promising. These include the use of cannabinoid receptor agonists for the management of multiple sclerosis and inflammatory pain. In addition, brief mention is made of a range of other possible therapeutic uses for cannabinoid receptor agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists.