CB2 receptor

Class

Cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist

The CB2 receptor is a cell-surface protein belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor family, the same broad class of molecules that many hormones and neurotransmitters act through. It is one of two principal receptors, alongside CB1, that respond to cannabinoid molecules, whether produced naturally in the body (endocannabinoids) or introduced as drugs. Unlike CB1, which is abundant in brain regions governing mood, memory, and coordination, CB2 is found predominantly on immune cells and, to a lesser extent, in the peripheral and central nervous systems, particularly on glial cells that support neurons. Activating CB2 tends to dampen inflammatory signaling and modulate immune cell activity without triggering the psychoactive effects associated with CB1 stimulation. This selectivity makes CB2 an attractive target for conditions where inflammation or neuroinflammation contributes to disease, including chronic pain, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. By engaging CB2 preferentially, a therapy aims to harness the immune-modulating and pain-relieving properties of the cannabinoid system while minimizing central nervous system side effects such as sedation or altered perception. The broader rationale for pursuing CB2-selective agonism, rather than a nonselective cannabinoid, rests on separating therapeutic benefit from unwanted psychotropic activity.