Credit: UT Southwestern Medical Center
The mammalian cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) sense endogenous endocannabinoids and plant and synthetic cannabinoids to engender a response in the host that leads to decreased inflammation, intestinal motility and secretion, and increased appetite. Mammalian endocannabinoids are also sensed by a bacterial cannabinoid receptor to decrease virulence of enteric pathogens.