At the neurobehavioral level, a similar pattern emerges such that induction of endocannabinoid signalling (probably 2-AG) in response to stress appears to constrain neuronal activation and transmitter release within the corticolimbic stress circuit and consequentially modulate the expression of motivated behaviours. On the other hand, the stress-induced decline of AEA signaling appears to be involved in the development of heightened emotionality following stress exposure. Thus, similar to neuroendocrine function a duality emerges in the role of the endocannabinoid system following stress exposure with bidirectional regulation of endocannabinoid ligands contributing to both activational neurobehavioral responses to stress and the return to homeostasis thereafter.
