Endocannabinoid system and eating behavior / Sistema endocannabinoide y conducta alimentaria

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review was to investigate previously published literature that examined the effect of hypercaloric diet on the endocannabinoid system, eating behavior, and the development of obesity. In the present review, we analyzed and described the evidence that suggests that the regulation of the endocannabinoid system through the activation of the receptors for cannabinoid type 1 (CB1R) and type 2 (CB2R) by modulating the production of anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and oleamide, influence the appetite and satiety centers, inducing or inhibiting the consumption of hypercaloric foods such as Western diet; thereby altering the production of hormones like the ghrelin, insulin, peptide YY and leptin. However, the adequate doses of pure cannabinoids and/or the cannabinoid-enriched Cannabis herbal extracts for the treatment of eating disorders like anorexia and/or obesity, neither for disorders of the mood, have not determined.