A Critical Evaluation of Terpenoid Signaling at Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors in a Neuronal Model.

In addition to phytocannabinoids, cannabis contains terpenoids that are claimed to have a myriad of effects on the body. We tested a panel of five common cannabis terpenoids, myrcene, linalool, limonene, α-pinene and nerolidol, in two neuronal models, autaptic hippocampal neurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Autaptic neurons express a form of cannabinoid CB1 receptor-dependent retrograde plasticity while DRGs express a variety of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptors regulate salivation.

Saliva serves multiple important functions within the body that we typically take for granted, such as helping prepare food for swallowing and defense against oral pathogens. Dry mouth is a primary symptom of Sjӧgren's syndrome and is a side effect of many drug treatments. Cannabis users frequently report dry mouth, but the basis for this is still unknown.