Pregnenolone sulfate is an endogenous neurosteroid with excitatory effects in the brain, acting as a potent negative allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor, and activator of transient receptor potential cation channel TRPM1 and TRPM3. In the model of schizophrenia, treatment with pregnenolone sulfate normalized the hyperlocomotion and stereotypic bouts, and rescued the PPI deficits of dopamine transporter knockout mice. Promnesic properties of pregnenolone sulfate were demonstrated in rat models of spatial memory performance.

Sphinganine is a naturally occurring, skin-identical sphingoid base, a representative of the class of amino alcohols, or long chain bases (LCBs). Sphinganine is a blocker postlysosomal cholesterol transport by inhibition of low-density lipoprotein-induced esterification of cholesterol and cause unesterified cholesterol to accumulate in perinuclear vesicles. It has been suggested the possibility that endogenous sphinganine may inhibit cholesterol transport in Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease. Sphinganine is a potent inhibitor of 5-α-reductase type I that prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a key factor of androgenetic male baldness. As a cosmetic ingredient, sphinganine is well suited as a topical alternative for the improvement of scalp health and hair quality and anti-hair loss application. Sphinganine promotes differentiation and ceramide production in keratinocytes. Free sphinganine may serve as a dermatological and cosmetic agent by enhancing formation and maintenance of an intact epidermal lipid barrier, with beneficial effects for skin and hair care applications.

Rimonabant (also known as SR141716; trade names Acomplia, Zimulti) was an anorectic antiobesity drug that was first approved in Europe in 2006 but was withdrawn worldwide in 2008 due to serious psychiatric side effects. Rimonabant is an inverse agonist for the cannabinoid receptor CB1 and was the first drug approved in that class. There is considerable evidence that the endocannabinoid (endogenous cannabinoid) system plays a significant role in appetitive drive and associated behaviors. It is, therefore, reasonable to hypothesize that the attenuation of the activity of this system would have therapeutic benefit in treating disorders that might have a component of excess appetitive drive or over-activity of the endocannabinoid system, such as obesity, ethanol and other drug abuse, and a variety of central nervous system and other disorders. Data from clinical trials submitted to regulatory authorities showed that rimonabant caused depressive disorders or mood alterations in up to 10% of subjects and suicidal ideation in around 1%, and in Europe, it was contraindicated for people with any psychiatric disorder, including depressed or suicidal people. Additionally, nausea and upper respiratory tract infections were very common (occurring in more than 10% of people) adverse effects; common adverse effects (occurring in between 1% and 10% of people) included gastroenteritis, anxiety, irritability, insomnia and other sleep disorders, hot flushes, diarrhea, vomiting, dry or itchy skin, tendonitis, muscle cramps and spasms, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and increased risk of falling.

Nabiximols (USAN, trade name Sativex) is a specific extract of Cannabis that was approved as a botanical drug in the United Kingdom in 2010 as a mouth spray to alleviate neuropathic pain, spasticity, overactive bladder, and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Nabiximols is an oromucosal spray of a formulated extract of the cannabis sativa plant that contains the principal cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as well as specific minor cannabinoids and other non-cannabinoid components. THC is a partial agonist and can block activation by other ligands of both cannabinoid receptors (CBR). THC effects include analgesia, short-term memory loss, muscle relaxation, antiemesis, appetite stimulation, and anti-inflammatory activity. CBD acts on CBR and TRPV1, while also inhibiting reuptake and hydrolysis of anandamide N-arachidonylethanolamine (AEA). CBD effects include anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-psychotic activity. CBD modulates some of the more undesirable psychological adverse effects of THC through both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects. Each 100 μl spray contains: 2.7 mg of THC and 2.5 mg of CBD. Nabiximols was approved in other European countries and Canada.

Otenabant (CP-945,598) is Pfizer developed as a potent and selective cannabinoid receptor CB1 antagonist with Ki of 0.7 nM, which exhibits 10,000-fold greater selectivity against human CB2 receptor, for treatment of obesity. In clinical trial III Pfizer decided to discontinue the development program based on changing regulatory perspectives on the risk/benefit profile of the CB1 class and likely new regulatory requirements for approval.

ORG-28611 (SCH-900,111) is a potent cannabinoid receptor full agonist, developed by Organon International for treatment pain. In preclinical studies, Org 28611 exhibited high affinity for both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, as determined by radioligand competition binding assays and rapidly metabolized by mouse and human hepatic microsomes and showed higher total levels in the brain compared to plasma. In clinical trials, Org 28611 does not provide enough sedation for outpatient surgical procedures, does not induce anterograde amnesia and causes undesirable subjective effects at higher doses. However, bolus doses up to 3 μ/kg (with maximum initial plasma concentrations of 24 ng/mL) or mean plasma levels up to 4 ng/mL are well tolerated and make it worthwhile to further explore the analgesic or antiemetic properties.

Pravadoline is the anti-nociceptive agent, which has analgesic efficacy against postoperative pain in humans. Pravadoline inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase, but in contrast to cyclooxygenase-inhibiting NSAIDs does not produce gastrointestinal irritation. Pravadoline inhibited the synthesis of prostaglandins in mouse brain both in vitro and ex vivo. Pravadoline demonstrated only weak anti-inflammatory activity relative to its anti-nociceptive potency. Single doses of pravadoline were safe and effective in humans, without serious adverse events. Single oral administration of pravadoline maleate induced acute tubular necrosis in male and female beagle dogs.

SDB-006 is a cannabimimetic indole that binds the central cannabinoid (CB1) and peripheral cannabinoid (CB2) receptors with EC50 values of 19 and 134 nM, respectively. SDB-006 was discovered during research of the related compound JWH-018 adamantyl carboxamide, which has been sold illicitly in herbal blends.

WIN 55212-2 is the synthetic cannabimimetic compound. It is a potent aminoalkylindole cannabinoid receptor agonist. WIN 55,212-2 increases expression of anti-oxidant Cu/Zn SOD and is able to prevent inflammation induced by Aβ1-42 in cultured astrocytes. It exerts neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory actions against Aβ damage through both CB₁ and CB₂ receptors. WIN 55212-2 attenuates hyperalgesia and allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain. In the clinical trial, it was revealed that WIN 55212-2, applied topically, decreases the intraocular pressure of human glaucoma resistant to conventional therapies within the first 30 min.

AM-679 is a drug that acts as a moderately potent agonist for the cannabinoid receptors. AM-679 is a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor. AM-679, found in Italy for the first time, but also identified during a seizure made by Hungarian authorities, almost concurrent with the Italian seizure.