Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the neurobehavioural effects of stress and glucocorticoids

The endocannabinoid system is a neuroactive lipid signaling system that functions to gate synaptic transmitter release. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that this system is responsive to modulation by both stress and glucocorticoids within the hypothalamus and limbic structures; however, the nature of this regulation is more complex than initially assumed. The aim of the current review is to summarize the research to date which examines the effects of acute stress and glucocorticoid administration on endocannabinoid signaling in limbic–hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (LHPA) axis, and in turn the role endocannabinoid signaling plays in the neurobehavioural responses to acute stress and glucocorticoid administration. The majority of research suggests that acute stress produces a mobilization of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) while concurrently reducing the tissue content of the other endocannabinoid ligand anandamide. Genetic and pharmacological studies demonstrate that the reduction in anandamide signaling may be involved in the initiation of HPA axis activation and the generation of changes in emotional behaviour, while the increase in 2-AG signaling may be involved in terminating the stress response, limiting neuronal activation and contributing to changes in motivated behaviours. Collectively, these studies reveal a complex interplay between endocannabinoids and the HPA axis, and further identify endocannabinoid signaling as a critical regulator of the stress response.