General Pharmacology of the endocannabinoid system

Since 1964 when THC, the active substance of marihuana, was discovered, the cannabinoid pharmacology has substantially progressed. Two cannabinoids receptors have been discovered, many ligands have been synthesized and the basic neurotransmission system has been elucidated. Although the basic endocannabinoid neurotransmission system is now streamlining, there is still several details to be clarified, like the presence of new receptors, the specific signal transduction pathways, the relevance of the endocannabinoid system in brain development or it specific role in the patophysiology of several medical disorders. An enormous field for endocannabinoid research is open nowadays with big potential medical applications. In the present review we have focused in the advancement in the field of cannabinoid system as well as in the importance of unresolved issues.