Nuances of the Endocannabinoid System with Daniele Piomelli, MD, PhD

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In episode 7, Dr. Igor Grant and Dr. Daniele Piomelli examine intricacies of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), exploring its mechanisms, functions, and implications for health and medicine. They discuss the role of cannabinoids in signaling, the distribution of cannabinoid receptors, and the ECS’s influence on feeding behavior, pain management, and social interactions. The conversation highlights potential therapeutic approaches targeting the ECS, highlighting differences between central and peripheral Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors, while also addressing the challenges faced in drug development and the need for further research.

Daniele Piomelli, MD, PhD is Distinguished Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Chemistry, and Louise Turner Arnold Chair in the Neurosciences at UC Irvine. Additionally, he serves as Director of UCI’s multidisciplinary Center for the Study of Cannabis. Dr. Piomelli has led pioneering work into pathways involved in the formation and deactivation of brain endocannabinoids, uncovered important physiological functions of these compounds, and identified pharmacological agents that interfere with their deactivation.