Función del sistema endocannabinoide en la memoria, el reforzamiento, el autocontrol y el uso de sustancias: una revisión narrativa

Introduction: the functions of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) extend from the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system to the cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems; therefore, it is involved in many physiological processes including those related to cognition. Objective: this review aims to explain the role of the ECS in brain regions that control memory, learning, reinforcement and self-control, to understand the impact that its dysfunction could have on these processes and in the abuse of substances. Method: searches focused on ECS and its involvement in memory, reinforcement, self-control, and substance use were conducted in PubMed, covering a period from 1990 to 2024. Results: the ECS regulates hippocampal function, influencing declarative, spatial, and contextual memory. By modulating the basal ganglia, it regulates non-declarative memory, and through its action on the amygdala and memory related to adverse events. In the prefrontal cortex, it is involved in processes such as working memory, self-control, and decision-making. Its presence in the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and medial prefrontal cortex contributes to the modulation of motivation and reward, thus participating in substance-induced gratification. Discussion and conclusions: dysfunction of the ECS may manifest through symptoms that, within clinical practice, often remain undetected due to the limited consideration of its functions in psychiatric assessment. This observation highlights the importance of expanding the conceptual framework regarding the role of the ECS in the regulation of cognitive and emotional processes. Such an expansion is essential for advancing diagnostic accuracy and for fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders.