Medicinal Plants and the Endocannabinoid System: New Avenues in Psychiatry

Nature continues to be a vital source of inspiration for developing new therapeutic approaches and future medicines, with many essential modern drugs derived directly from plants or based on natural molecules discovered in the botanical world.

The history of modern pharmacology is closely linked to the discovery of potent plant-derived compounds like morphine, codeine, and thebaine. The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), one of humanity's oldest medicinal plants, marked the beginning of this era through the extraction of opiate alkaloids. Similarly, cocaine, the first local anesthetic used in medicine, originates from the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca).

In psychiatric treatment, the endocannabinoid system in the brain plays a crucial role in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and pain. The article suggests that the efficacy of treating psychosis with medicinal cannabis preparations containing CBD is influenced by the specific cannabinoid profile, the administered dose, and how each individual responds to the treatment.