Ethanol self-administration and ethanol conditioned place preference are reduced in mice lacking cannabinoid CB1 receptors

Experiment 2 examined the CB1 WT and CB1 KO strains in a conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure between saline and 2 g/kg EtOH. The CB1 WT mice spent significantly more time in the EtOH-paired versus saline-paired chambers, whereas no significant preference was observed in the CB1 KO mice. Finally, we observed that CB1 KO mice were significantly lighter than WT and HT and that SR141716A did not significantly alter body weight. These results demonstrate that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor is an essential component of the molecular pathways underlying the reinforcing effects of alcohol. Thus, medications targeting the CB1 receptors may be beneficial for the treatment of alcoholism.