Compositions and methods for activating signaling through the CB1 cannabinoid receptor for treating and preventing diseases and disorders characterized by abnormal cellular accumulation of sphingolipids such as sphingomyelin

A method of inhibiting the cellular accumulation of at least one sphingolipid in a subject that has a lysosomal storage disease or disorder, comprising:

• activating the CB1 cannabinoid receptor , or increasing levels of one or more cannabinoid in the subject, using a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor (FAAHi);
• wherein the lysosomal storage disease or disorder is selected from the group consisting of:
• Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency (ASMD), Type A Niemann Pick disease (NPA), Type B Niemann Pick disease (NPB), Type A/B Niemann Pick disease (NPA/B), Type C Niemann Pick disease (NPC), mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPS IIIA), Farber disease, Gaucher disease, Pompe disease, Fabry disease, and Sanfilippo disease.