3. Umbruch 4.4..2005 - Online Pot

X Preface
ing endocannabinoids with stress, fear, love, satisfaction or despair. Are the
endocannabinoids one of nature’s tools to shape emotions? This is probably
one of the fields which will be explored in the future. But books review the
past. Possibly the next edition of this book, in 5 or 10 years time, will report
on the progress made in associating endocannabinoids with emotions. Until
then we shall have to remain content with more mundane topics such as neuroprotection,
reproduction, appetite and effects on cancer.
The multitude of endocannabinoid effects seems like a fertile field for
exploration by pharmaceutical firms. We soon expect to see the introduction of
a synthetic cannabinoid antagonist in the treatment of obesity and, possibly
later, drugs for neuroprotection, pain, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis
and cancer. Will post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and Tourette’s
syndrome come next?
Raphael Mechoulam Jerusalem, January 2005