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Cannabinoids and the Brain
A review of the scientific evidence on the effects of cannabinoids on brain and behavioral functioning, with an emphasis on potential therapeutic use. The cannabis plant has been used for recreational and medicinal purposes for more than 4,000 years, but the scientific investigation into its effects has only recently yielded useful results. In this book, Linda Parker offers a review of the scientific evidence on the effects of cannabinoids on brain and behavioral functioning, with an emphasis on potential therapeutic uses. Parker describes the discovery of tetrahydocannbinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis, and the further discovery of cannabinoid receptors in the brain. She explains that the brain produces chemicals similar to THC, which act on the same receptors as THC, and shows that the endocannabinoid system is involved in all aspects of brain functioning. Parker reports that cannabis contains not only the psychoactive compound THC, but also other compounds of potential therapeutic benefit, and that one of them, cannabidiol (CBD), shows promise for the treatment of pain, anxiety, and epilepsy. Parker reviews the evidence on cannabinoids and anxiety, depression, mood, sleep, schizophrenia, learning and memory, addiction, sex, appetite and obesity, chemotherapy-induced nausea, epilepsy, and such neurodegenerative disorders as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease. Each chapter also links the scientific evidence to historical and anecdotal reports of the medicinal use of cannabis. As debate about the medical use of marijuana continues, Parker's balanced and objective review of the fundamental science and potential therapeutic effects of cannabis is especially timely.
- GenresDrugsNonfiction
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2017
36 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 7, 2021
University presses typically publish one of three types of books.
1. Books intended for a general audience with the purpose of generating revenue.
2. Books intended for undergraduates/graduates in a certain field.
3. Scholarly works intended to push a given field forward.
Canabinoids and the Brain by Linda Parker should fall into the second category in my opinion as it serves to compile the most relevant studies about cannbinoids into one place as to provide a survey of the field and where our current scientific understanding stands on the topic.
What this book does exceptionally well is showing the reader specifically what is known about Cannabinoids and what is not known. One of the highlights for me was also informing the reader exactly what methods were used to generate this understanding. Through this process Parker also let's you know how the studies were designed, how reliable the different means of these studies are, and recommends improvements and advice as to where the field needs to go in the future.
As a lay reader with no college education, but with quite a few pop-neuroscience books under my belt I found myself struggling to understand about 25% of the book, namely the deeps dives into discussions about receptors and micro level brain phenomena. However this is mostly remedied by Parker providing a clear and concise introduction and closing statement before and after each chapter that wrap up the information in an easy to understand way.
I will say that even though I found myself grasping for understanding across parts of the book that this was still a pleasurable read. If you, like myself, have an interest as to how drugs work in the brain, or if you are studying relevant topics for school or your career I would highly recommend this book.
1. Books intended for a general audience with the purpose of generating revenue.
2. Books intended for undergraduates/graduates in a certain field.
3. Scholarly works intended to push a given field forward.
Canabinoids and the Brain by Linda Parker should fall into the second category in my opinion as it serves to compile the most relevant studies about cannbinoids into one place as to provide a survey of the field and where our current scientific understanding stands on the topic.
What this book does exceptionally well is showing the reader specifically what is known about Cannabinoids and what is not known. One of the highlights for me was also informing the reader exactly what methods were used to generate this understanding. Through this process Parker also let's you know how the studies were designed, how reliable the different means of these studies are, and recommends improvements and advice as to where the field needs to go in the future.
As a lay reader with no college education, but with quite a few pop-neuroscience books under my belt I found myself struggling to understand about 25% of the book, namely the deeps dives into discussions about receptors and micro level brain phenomena. However this is mostly remedied by Parker providing a clear and concise introduction and closing statement before and after each chapter that wrap up the information in an easy to understand way.
I will say that even though I found myself grasping for understanding across parts of the book that this was still a pleasurable read. If you, like myself, have an interest as to how drugs work in the brain, or if you are studying relevant topics for school or your career I would highly recommend this book.
October 17, 2021
Very technical but good too see all the benefits this plant can be for medicine.
February 25, 2021
neteikšu, ka pēc šīs grāmatas sliecos par vai pret, bet skaidrs ir tas, ka šī grāmata dod noteiktu daudzveidību šajā tematā - pati lēkājot no "par" un "pret". gandrīz 100 lpp refrencēm - iespaidīgi.
March 23, 2022
Very informative, but at this point out of date. Marijuana is now legalized in Canada, so it would be interesting to see an updated edition with more current data.
January 1, 2025
Full disclosure: This is written in a very academic style, so if that's not what you're looking for, then you will find it a little dry. It is very informative and well-researched, though!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews