Cannabinoids are found in marijuana, and a type of cannabinoid is produced naturally in humans. Related compounds can also be synthesized in chemistry laboratories.
Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the plant.
The study found that synthetic cannabinoids lessen the symptoms of tremor and spasticity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis called experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. The compounds, one of which was developed by Clemson's John Huffman, work by stimulating the naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors in the body. But this discovery may hold the key to developing treatments that can lessen the severity of symptoms without mind-altering, or psychoactive, side effects. Our next step is to see if we can come up with a better compound. Huffman's work is funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health's drug abuse research arm, the National Institute on Drug Abuse.