Possible approaches include design of synthetic cannabinoid agonists that have selective binding affinity. Another approach is to find an antagonist that can selectively bind to receptors to inhibit undesired side effects. Perhaps a drug could be designed to inhibit the metabolism of endogenous cannabinoids. Cannabidiol, found in the marijuana plant, also works in this manner by interfering with metabolism in the liver. A drug that would selectively inhibit neuronal uptake of anadamide would also increase levels of the brain s own natural cannabinoids.
Further research is needed to fully understand the cannabinoid receptor system.
It is possible that other cannabinoid receptor subclasses exist. It is unclear precisely which effect of cannabinoids are associated with binding to which ligand. These are important questions that need to be answered before drugs based on the cannabinoid system can be developed.