cannabis Flashcards
cannabis prevalence
most commonly used illicit drug in the US (18% in past year)
inverse relationship between use and perceived dangers
cannabis sativa
tall and slender with lighter green leaves
cannabis indica
shorter and bushier and darker leaves
almost all strains of cannabis today are ____
hybrids
female and male cannabis plants
flower clusters with psychoactive resin that catches pollen from male seeds, separating male and female will increase psychoactivity of the plants
phytocannabinoids
THC, CBD
bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body
THC
psychoactive
CBD
anti oxidant/convulsant/inflammatory/anxiety
hemp
trace amounts of THC, not psychoactive
cannabis routes of administration
smoked, vaporizers, ingested (slower onset and less predictability of action)
cannabis absorption
THC is very fat soluble, easily crosses BBB
cannabinoid receptors
CB1 and CB2
THC partial agonist, CBD negative allosteric modulator which blocks some of THC’s effects
cannabinoids bind to other receptors in the body such as _________
GABA, serotonin, glutamate
mechanism of action of cannabis
endocannabinoid system
endocannabinoid system
widespread system that controls physiological effects and helps maintain homeostasis
neurotransmitters of endocannabinoid system
anandamide, 2-AG
function of enzymes of endocannabinoid system
synthesize and break down cannabinoids, endocannabinoids synthesized on demand, not stored
receptors of endocannabinoid system
CB1 and CB2
location of receptors of endocannabinoid system
basal ganglia, cerebellum, hippocampus, amygdala, eye, pancreas, testes, uterus
acute effects of cannabis depend on ____
dose, ration of THC to CBD, previous experience and expectations, environment
biphasic dose response curve
for cannabis, optimal dose receives highest benefits and low/high doses receive low benefits (looks like normal curve)
acute effects of cannabis
euphoria, laughter, impaired memory, impaired coordination, enhanced sensory perception, drawn out sense of time, hunger/thirst, increase heart rate
TI of cannabis
very high, over 1000
negative effects of cannabis
impaired fertilization from high doses, drug interactions, collateral damage from use
medical uses of cannabis
chronic pain, nausea/vomiting, increase hunger, MS symptoms, reduce use of addictive substances, other disorders/conditions
tolerance of cannabis
regular use causes tolerance
addiction of cannabis
less addictive than other drugs, treatment involves psychological approaches, less than 50% stay abstinent
cannabis withdrawal
symptoms are not severe if they occur
primary function of liver in drug use
metabolism
primary function of kidneys in drug use
elimination
reward pathway in the brain
network of structures involved in pleasure, motivation, and reinforcement
two main structures of reward pathway
ventral tegmental area (midbrain, produces dopamine in reaction to rewarding stimuli) and nucleus accumbens (limbic system, receives dopamine and generates feelings of pleasure)
primary neurotransmitter of reward pathway
dopamine
How does methamphetamine differ from other stimulants and other forms of amphetamine?
stronger, longer lasting effect
stronger impact on dopamine release which causes euphoria, much more potential for abuse and addiction
