ABSTRACT
Marijuana and its cannabinoids have profound effects on hormone secretion in humans and experimental animals. The most studied aspect of the cannabinoid effects on endocrine function is how marijuana and cannabinoids affect the hormones of reproduction. Cannabinoids inhibit the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, i.e. gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and the sex steroids estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Inhibition of this axis may be responsible for the ability of marijuana to cause anovulation, oligospermia, and changes in sexual behavior. Marijuana and cannabinoids activate the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis and promote the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and adrenal corticosteroids. There is less information regarding the ability of marijuana and cannabinoids to inhibit the secretion of prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, and insulin. Cannabinoid receptors mediate the effects of cannabinoids on endocrine function. The brain is the most likely site of cannabinoid action, however the pituitary gland and gonads may also be directly affected. Much remains to be learned regarding how marijuana affects endocrine function and, importantly, the role endogenous cannabinoid compounds may have in endocrine regulation.
