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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
03:48
Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats
Published on: December 6, 2024
Functional interactions between stress and the endocannabinoid system: from synaptic signaling to behavioral output
Matthew N Hill1, Sachin Patel, Patrizia Campolongo
1Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA. mhill@rockefeller.edu
Summary
Endocannabinoid signaling regulates the brain's stress response, influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and modulating stress-related emotional and cognitive functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
Background:
- Endocannabinoid signaling influences neurotransmitter release throughout the brain.
- This signaling is present in stress-sensitive hypothalamic and limbic brain regions.
- It suggests a role in mediating the effects of stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of endocannabinoid signaling in the stress response.
- To examine its involvement in neuroendocrine and behavioral outcomes of stress.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on endocannabinoid signaling and stress.
- Analysis of evidence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation.
- Examination of modulation of cognitive and emotional processes by stress.
Main Results:
- Endocannabinoid signaling activates and terminates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to acute and repeated stress.
- It is recruited by stress and glucocorticoids to affect memory consolidation and extinction.
- Signaling plays a role in both neuroendocrine and behavioral aspects of stress.
Conclusions:
- Endocannabinoid signaling is a key regulator of the stress response at multiple levels.
- It acts as both a modulator and effector of neuroendocrine and behavioral outcomes.
- This highlights its critical importance in the integrated stress circuitry.
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