About SEIC
The Spanish Society for Cannabinoid Research (SEIC) is a scientific society formed by researchers working in the cannabinoid research field, who make contributions from diverse disciplines and use different approaches. SEIC supports these researchers and promotes the appropriate environment to boost cannabinoid research. To that end, our society:
- Organizes meetings, workshops and other scientific events at a local, national and international level, thus allowing researchers to share their cannabinoid-related discoveries.
- Promotes education on the scientific and social significance of the advances in cannabinoid research.
- Coordinates a network of exchange of information, materials and techniques to help researchers in the area.
- Acts as advisor to public and private institutions regarding cannabinoids.
Annual meeting
The next SEIC annual meeting will be held tentatively at the end of November 2024 in Córdoba.
Become a member
SEIC welcomes any researcher working in the scientific study of cannabinoids to join. The annual fee is 45 euros (for senior researchers) and 24 euros (for junior researchers).
Education
In this section, SEIC aims to provide up-to-date and relevant scientific information on cannabinoid research, directed to a general audience as well as to health professionals and for teaching and divulging purposes.
General concepts
Cannabis sativa preparations have been used for centuries. Their potential use as drugs of abuse or as therapeutics is a matter of intense debate nowadays. Some key concepts:
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) mimics the actions of endogenous cannabinoids.
- Both THC and endogenous cannabinoids trigger their biological actions by binding and activating two types of cell surface receptors (CB1 and CB2), that are present in many areas of the brain as well as in other body organs (although in lesser amounts).
- The activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors explains many of the effects of the cannabinoids.
- Synthetic cannabinoids have been developed that activate or block CB1 and CB2 receptors.
- The endogenous cannabinoid system participates in many relevant physiological functions.
Cannabis as a drug of abuse
Cannabis is a widely consumed drug of abuse.
- THC is a highly lipophilic compound, which explains that the cannabis abstinence syndrome is usually less intense than in the case of other drugs of abuse.
- Cannabis consumption affects short-term memory.
- Cannabis consumption during the infancy and adolescence may have harmful consequences for the development of some cognitive capabilities.
- Cannabis consumption may provoke psychotic crisis (particularly in people with previous psychiatric conditions)
Cannabis as a therapeutic drug
The therapeutic properties of cannabis have been known for centuries.
- The potential therapeutic use of cannabis derivatives is related to the physiologic functions of the endogenous cannabinoid system.
- The therapeutic actions of cannabis are due to the presence of some active principles in the plant. Currently, there are several medicines that contain those principles or some of their derivatives.
- Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the clinical use of cannabinoid medicines.
SEIC Newsletter
Our Society edits and sends to its members an electronic Newsletter every three months.