Cannabinoids, regardless of their structure or origin,
refer to chemical substances that act on cannabinoid receptors and produce
pharmacological effects similar to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC),
the main psychoactive ingredient of the
Cannabis sativa plant. Cannabinoids, which act on the
endocannabinoid system, are thought to have a potential therapeutic value in a
variety of diseases and conditions due to their involvement in vital processes
such as appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain sensitivity, mood and memory. To date,
cannabinoids have been approved for certain indications by the United States
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): refractory epilepsy (Lennox–Gastaut
syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex), spasticity and
neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis (MS), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrom
(AIDS)-related cachexia, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. According
to pre-clinical studies, cannabinoids are also promising for a wide range of
indications such as fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia,
anxiety, cancer, and cancer-related pain. Cannabinoids are being explored as an
anticancer agent in different types of cancer due to increasing evidence for their
antiproliferative and antitumor effects. Scientific research that will reveal
the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, cannabinoid type/ratio, and
efficacious dosage forms on an evidence-based approach are needed for non-approved
indications including cancer. Foremost, the elimination of legal barriers in
front of scientific research on cannabinoids will ease towards this goal. In
this chapter, it is aimed to summarize the therapeutic use of cannabinoids,
prospects for novel indications, and ongoing clinical trials to provide a
comprehensive overview on the current state of knowledge.
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