Practical Considerations of Hypotheses and Evidence in Cannabis Pharmacotherapy: Refining Expectations of Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency

Abstract

An Industry founded on the promotion of presumed health and wellness benefits of cannabis use continues to grow in the United States, despite the lack of substantial evidence in support of the many claims being made. Several hypotheses exist regarding the role of endocannabinoids in human health and the pertinence of phytocannabinoids as pharmacotherapies for addressing their dysregulation. An opinion is offered regarding the tenuous nature of these assumptions and questions are raised regarding how best to interpret the complex metabolic interplay of the still vaguely defined endocannabinoid system.

Keywords:

• antioxidant
• cannabis
• cannabidiol
• clinical endocannabinoid deficiency
• dietary supplement
• deficient
• endocannabinoid system
• human studies