Cannabis

Question 1

1964 Gaoni & Mechoulam

Answer 1

isolate THC from hashish and determine that it is the chemical in cannabis that causes “high”

Question 2

1988 Devane & Howlett

Answer 2

discover the location of the CB1 receptor (rat brain) – the target of THC

Question 3

Rimonabant

Answer 3

CB1 antagonist drug for obesity approved in Europe

Question 4

Why was rimonabant pulled from the market?

Answer 4

side effects of anxiety and suicidality

Question 5

the most abundant G-protein coupled receptor in the brain

Answer 5

CB1 receptors

Question 6

CB1 receptors are activated by

Answer 6

endocannabinoids and THC (present throughout the brain at different levels)

Question 7

Areas with highest density of endocannabinoids:

Answer 7

cingulate cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum, hypothalamus, periaqueductal grey- pain, and area postrema in medulla- vomiting

Question 8

CB2 also known as…

Answer 8

“peripheral cannabinoid receptors”- because they are highly expressed in the body & are especially immune cells

Question 9

the receptor that is principally involved in anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions

Answer 9

the CB2 receptor

Question 10

the receptor that mediates most of the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids

Answer 10

the CB1 receptor

Question 11

The cannabinoid system is…

Answer 11

the brain’s equalizer- modulating the intensity of every neuronal signal (only made where they are needed and are eliminated quickly- balance and equalize neuron activity)- Always acting in concert with another neurotransmitter

Question 12

Agonists of CB1 receptor

Answer 12

endocannabinoids and THC

Question 13

Endocannabinoids

Answer 13

• Appetite stimulant
• Reduces pain (part of descending pathway)
• Promotes learning & memory

Question 14

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Answer 14

• Long-lasting – acute effects last for hours, accumulates in fat tissues and remains in body for weeks
• Appetite stimulant & anti-emetic
• Reduces pain (analgesic) and muscle spasticity
• Impairs learning & memory
• Hallucinations (sensory & time distortion)
• Psychosis

Question 15

early cannabis use (by age 15) confers greater risk for…

Answer 15

schizophrenia outcomes than later cannabis use (by age 18)

Question 16

Cannabis tolerance is caused by

Answer 16

downregulation of CB1 receptors

Question 17

CB1 & CB2 are both…

Answer 17

GPCRs NOT ION CHANNELS

Question 18

Cannabis use disorder affects

Answer 18

30% of those who use cannabis

Question 19

4 Medical Uses of Cannabis, THC and CBD

Answer 19

1. Nabiximol - (Sativex)
2. Cannabidiol – (Epidiolex)
3. THC as dronabinol (Marinol)
4. Nabilone

Question 20

Nabiximol (Sativex)

Answer 20

• (mouth spray) 1:1 THC:CBD
• Reduces muscle spasticity and pain that accompanies multiple sclerosis.
• Reduces pain in cancer patients

Question 21

Cannabidiol (Epidiolex)

Answer 21

• is approved to treat childhood epilepsy
• we are not sure what it does, looks like it acts at CB1 receptor (mechanism of action is not really clear because it has many drug targets)- not selective

Question 22

THC as dronabinol (Marinol)

Answer 22

• approved to treat anorexia in HIV/AIDS
• treat nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy

Question 23

Nabilone

Answer 23

(A synthetic analog)
- used to treat anorexia in AIDS; nausea, vomiting with chemo
- It is used off label for the treatment of chronic pain/neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

Question 24

effects of drugs that block the CB1 receptor

Answer 24

• promote weight loss

Question 25

The 2 most prevalent endocannabinoids in the brain:

Answer 25

1. Anandamide
2. 2-AG