Cannabinoids and Sleep Molecular, Functional and Clinical Aspects

Research on cannabis and sleep is emerging with promising results. This book offers current and comprehensive knowledge on cannabinoid research results in connection with sleep. The volume covers aspects of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, the pharmacology of cannabinoids, neurobiology and pharmacology of sleep and wakefulness, and the benefits and side effects of cannabis on the central nervous system. It further discusses the putative therapeutical properties of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids and their potential for the treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, REM sleep behavior disorder, and restless legs syndrome.

The book is written by medical and scientific experts in this field and intended for researchers from a range of disciplines such as biomedicine, biology, neurosciences, clinical medicine, neurology, and pharmacology.

Constituents of Cannabis Sativa.- Synthetic and Natural Derivatives of Cannabidiol.- Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Cannabinoids and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions.- Cannabinoid Receptors and Ligands: Lessions from CNS Disorders and the Quest for Novel Treatment Venues.- Sleep-Wake Neurobiology.- Cannabinoids and Sleep/Wake Control.- Effects of Cannabinoid Agonists and Antagonists on Sleep in Laboratory Animals.- Modulation of Noradrenergic and Serotonergic Systems by Cannabinoids: Electrophysiological, Neurochemical and Behavioral Evidence.- Natural Cannabinoids as Templates for Sleep Disturbances Treatment.- The Effect of Cannabinoids on the Brain´s Circadian Clock.- Effects of Cannabis Consumption on Sleep.- Addiction and Sleep Disorders.- Cannabis for Restless Legs Syndrome.

Jaime Monti, MD, is associated with the University of the Republic, Uruguay. He has completed post-doctoral studies at the National Institute of Health, USA.  He is full Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and the School of Medicine of the Republic University, Professor of the Basic Sciences Development Program (PEDECIBA) and Researcher the National Researchers' System. He is a globally recognized sleep researcher and has been awarded with the prestigious Claude Bernard Prize (French Governemnt) and with the Schering Award for Basic Sleep Research (USA).  He is an international recognized expert in the neuropharmacology of sleep and wakefulness, with more than two hundred publications in this field.  

S. R. Pandi-Perumal, MSc, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Somnogen Canada Inc, a Canadian Corporation. He is a well-recognized sleep researcher, both nationally and internationally, and has authored over 200 publications. His general area of research interest includes sleep and biological rhythms. He is a well-known editor in the field of sleep medicine and has edited over 25 volumes dealing with various sleep-related topics. He received an honorable mention in the New York Times in 2004. The India International Friendship Society awarded him the prestigious Bharat Gaurav award on January 12, 2013. The Bharat Gaurav Award is usually recognition of a person who has made achievements in a particular field, which in turn will put a positive impact on the society at large. 

Dr. Eric Murillo-Rodríguez is Psychologist and holds a PhD. in Biomedical Sciences, both degrees obtained by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Upon graduation, he completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. His scientific contribution includes over 70 peer-reviewed publications in various reputed scientific and medical journals, 10 chapters in books. He is an active member of several scientific societies and the editorial board members of various journals.Dr. Murillo-Rodríguez has received outstanding academic achievements such as “Young Investigator Award” given by the World Federation of Sleep Research Societies (WFSRS) in 2003, and subsequently the “Young Investigator Honorable Mention” awarded by the Sleep Research Society (SRS) in 2004.