Cannabinoids exerts their influence by binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The cannabinoid system has bene shown to be involved in pathology of ALS. New studies have shown evidence of neuronal damage by the immune system in the that spinal cord cells (microglia and macrophages) in ALS patients triggered by immune system’s cells which express increased levels of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. CB2-mediated process could slow ALS progression via the endocannabinoid system by reducing neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity and oxidative cell damage,
Previous studies have shown that cannabinoids have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions in animal models of ALS.