CHEMICALS related to the active ingredient of cannabis might be vital for our
survival. Naturally occurring cannabinoids in newborn mice trigger feeding, and
without them the animals may die within days, says a biologist in Israel. She
believes the chemicals could play a similar role in people.
Cannabinoids produced in the body are known to be natural painkillers. They
also coordinate the dopamine system, helping to control movement. But smoking
cannabis increases appetite, a property that is sometimes exploited to help
cancer and AIDS patients. Cannabinoids have also been detected in human and
cow’s milk, and levels here are at their highest the day after giving…
