Cannabis

Question 1

history

Answer 1

evidence of cultivation from 10,000bce china.

medicinal use in india and egypt from 2000bce

1600s saw extensive use of hemp in europe and US.

was brought as a drug of abuse to europe from egypt in the 1800s.

legal restrictions in the UK and USA in the 1920s/30s.

1990 and 1992 CB1 and endocannabinoids identified.

Question 2

medicinal uses

Answer 2

nausea, glaucoma, MS, epilepsy, cachexia (weakness/wasting) in AIDS/cancer, pain, migraine, anxiety/PTSD, harm reduction, e.g., swapping from opiate or SCRA use.

Question 3

variability between plants

Answer 3

as it is a natural product, variation from plant to plant is massive. genetic background, growth conditions, harvesting times, handling can all contribute to the concentration and proportions of different cannabinoids present.

particularly large variation in the black markets.

Question 3

Effects and withdrawal

Answer 3

increased heart rate, increased pain tolerance, conjunctival reddening, very low toxicity.

causes initial euphoria followed by period of drowsiness. altered perception of time and short-term memory impairment. mild visual hallucinations may occur. major context sensitivity.

tolerance occurs to cardiac and psychoactive effects. dependence can occur, with chronic use associated with panic attacks, depression, mania and increased risk of schizophrenia. respiratory disorders can occur from smoking.

withdrawal is mild with irritability, insomnia, nausea, sweating, and salivation.

Question 4

Molecular mechanisms of several cannabinoids

Answer 4

THC acts at CB1 receptors in the CNS and CB2 receptors in the immune system. also acts at glycine, PPARy and TRP channels. CB1 agonism responsible for the psychoactivity

CBD acts with low potency: 5HT1A agonism, 5HT2A agonism , 5HT3 antagonist, PPARy, and TRP channels.

CBG acts at a2-AR and TRP

CBC: TRP

activation of presynaptic CB1 leads to opening of Kir channels reducing synaptic excitability. this reduces release of other NTs associated with excitation, e.g., glutamate onto NMDA and mGluR1/5

Question 5

Statistics

Answer 5

approximately 30% of adults have tried in their lifetime.

users range from daily use to very infrequent, with lots of individuals in-between, e.g., 10% daily, 10% 1-2xweek, 10% 1x a month etc…

Deaths associated are very low, and generally occur from use of cannabis alongside other substances. cannabis itself does not lead to death