The Endocannabinoid System Modulating Levels of Consciousness, Emotions and Likely Dream Contents.
CNS & neurological disorders drug targets January 1, 2017 Eric Murillo-Rodriguez, Jose Carlos Pastrana-Trejo, Mireille Salas-Crisóstomo et al.
The endocannabinoid system, which includes natural ligands like anandamide and 2-AG, receptors CB1 and CB2, and enzymes such as FAAH and MAGL, modulates many neurobiological functions including feeding, pain, learning, memory, and sleep. Blocking CB1 receptors or inhibiting FAAH promotes wakefulness, while blocking the anandamide membrane transporter enhances sleep. However, solid evidence is lacking on the system's role in dream activity, an emotional component of sleep. Based on a review of literature, the article hypothesizes that the endocannabinoid system may influence dream generation, given its involvement in emotional states and preliminary findings that cannabinoid treatment may reduce nightmares in PTSD.