New Nanotechnological Approaches for the Treatment of Addiction with Cannabinoids

In general terms, cannabinoid-type substances have many limitations for their study and clinical implementation, mainly due to adverse effects that cause deterioration at the central nervous system level and other organic systems. Of particular interest, the science of nanomaterials and their biological application, such as the development of nanoformulations, has become an attractive tool that allows taking advantage of the beneficial properties of multiple drugs with the reduction or minimization of their undesirable side effects. Nanotechnology is an area of recent development that includes the study, handling, and development/characterization of nanoscale drug delivery systems. With this new strategy, the physicochemical properties of matter at the nanoscale can be modified, resulting in totally different characteristics concerning the macroscale. This results as a consequence of its quantum effects, and finally, this opens a window of advantages over conventional therapeutic alternatives. In particular, there are innumerable nanosystems for applying and delivering organic and inorganic drugs. The size, shape, specific composition, surface properties, and different physicochemical characteristics can directly or indirectly influence its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behavior and, consequently, its biomedical use. Therefore, nanoformulated therapeutics could significantly improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients with different limitations and disadvantages, thus improving therapeutic compliance of patients. In this regard, loaded cannabinoids in nanoformulations offer greater efficacy, less toxicity, and a more controlled/prolonged release than cannabinoids in free form. This chapter summarizes the main findings on nanomedical strategies and applications for cannabinoid encapsulation, raising the possibility of transferring these advances to addiction therapy.