Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in drug addiction, Rafael Maldonado, Olga Valverde and Fernando Berrendero Trends in Neurosciences, 2006, 29, (4), 225-232. Doi : 10.1016/j.tins.2006.01.008   Recent studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system is involved in the common neurobiological mechanism underlying drug addiction. This system participates in the primary rewarding effects of cannabinoids, nicotine, alcohol and opioids, through the release of endocannabinoids in the ventral tegmental area. Endocannabinoids are also involved in the motivation to seek drugs by a dopamine-independent mechanism, demonstrated for psychostimulants and opioids. The endocannabinoid system also participates in the common mechanisms underlying relapse to drugseeking behaviour by mediating the motivational effects [...]