The Endocannabinoid Analgesic Entourage Effect: Investigations in Cultured DRG Neurons

Symphony of the gut microbiota and endocannabinoidome: a molecular and functional perspective

This review examines the impact of interactions between the gut microbiota and the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) on health and disease, highlighting their significance for physiological and pathological processes. We identify key research gaps and challenges to advance the field. The review discusses the role of dietary patterns and physical activity in regulating these interactions. It also explores the complex nature of these interactions in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and metabolic disorders. This analysis evaluates their contributions to disease onset and progression, and examines the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved. From this, we provide forward-looking perspectives on future research directions, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the gut microbiota-eCBome axis. We anticipate that future research will integrate gut microbiota-endocannabinoidome interactions into therapeutic strategies for a broad range of diseases.

Decoding the Postulated Entourage Effect of Medicinal Cannabis: What It Is and What It Isn't

The 'entourage effect' term was originally coined in a pre-clinical study observing endogenous bio-inactive metabolites potentiating the activity of a bioactive endocannabinoid. As a hypothetical afterthought, this was proposed to hold general relevance to the usage of products based on Cannabis sativa L. The term was later juxtaposed to polypharmacy pertaining to full-spectrum medicinal Cannabis products exerting an overall higher effect than the single compounds. Since the emergence of the term, a discussion of its pharmacological foundation and relevance has been ongoing. Advocates suggest that the 'entourage effect' is the reason many patients experience an overall better effect from full-spectrum products. Critics state that the term is unfounded and used primarily for marketing purposes in the Cannabis industry. This scoping review aims to segregate the primary research claiming as well as disputing the existence of the 'entourage effect' from a pharmacological perspective. The literature on this topic is in its infancy. Existing pre-clinical and clinical studies are in general based on simplistic methodologies and show contradictory findings, with the clinical data mostly relying on anecdotal and real-world evidence. We propose that the 'entourage effect' is explained by traditional pharmacological terms pertaining to other plant-based medicinal products and polypharmacy in general (e.g., synergistic interactions and bioenhancement).