“…endogenous cannabinoid signaling mechanisms may represent a key component of cell-survival programs mobilized in the injured brain.
In addition to their neuroprotective effects, cannabinergic systems may also have an important role in brain development…
…expression of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in brain…
Neurogenesis, or the birth of new neurons, continues to occur beyond development and into adulthood, and several lines of evidence suggest that cannabinoid signaling may be involved in this process as well…
In addition to the well known effects of growth factors, a variety of drugs has been shown to influence adult neurogenesis. These include excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, antidepressants, lithium, nitric oxide donors, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and statins.
Together with the finding that neurogenesis can be regulated by cannabinoids, these observations imply that a broad range of pharmacological approaches may exist through which to modify neurogenesis for therapeutic purposes.”