Psychosocial and Biological Aspects of Synthetic and Natural FAAH Inhibitors

Abstract

Molecular engineers are studying FAAH as a target for pharmaceuticals as controlling levels of FAAH may produce some of the same health effects that excite clinicians about the potential for phytocannabinoid-based medicines. Synthetic cannabinoids work by flooding the system with molecules structurally similar to THC and other phytocannabinoids. Medicines that inhibit the body’s production of FAAH are theorized to have a similar effect by maximizing the concentration of deficient endocannabinoids in the nervous system. Technological limitations coupled with a suppression of research of biologic cannabinoids at many major research universities have limited our understanding of the endocannabinoid system. Questions still need to be answered to provide a comprehensive comparison of biologic with synthetic FAAH inhibitors. Advancement and research aimed at understanding of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids, and particularly the medicinal properties of the Trans-Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) molecule and its endocannabinoid equivalent anandamide are hindered by prohibitive restrictions resulting from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The mission statements of each of these entities effectively integrate to ensure research and utilization of the medicinal properties of THC will be nearly impossible to attain.