In studies where ethanol is applied chronically, there is a high degree of variability concerning the pattern and duration of ethanol treatment, and this variability is both a blessing and a curse when deciphering the effect of chronic alcohol on the EC system. On the positive side, the broad variety of treatment paradigms employed by these studies provides a wider perspective on the timescale of changes to the EC system, particularly the CB1 receptor. However, the discrepancy between methodologies is also a confound when trying to disentangle contrasting datasets. Nevertheless, some trends regarding the effects of chronic ethanol on the EC system do emerge. Hungund’s lab has consistently relied on 72 hr continuous treatment regimens for their work in both mice and cell cultures. While this paradigm does induce withdrawal and tolerance in mice, it is distinct from long-term regimens used in other studies where animals are subject to repeated periods of abstinence or discontinuous exposure to ethanol due to metabolism or voluntary drinking patterns. As a consequence, data from 72 hr exposure regimens provide a better understanding of what
