Cannabis and LSD

Question 1

What type of drugs are cannabis and LSD?

Answer 1

Psychotomimetics
(Lecture 19, Slide 17)

Question 2

How long does it take for the psychoactive effects of smoking cannabis to occur?

Answer 2

They occur instantly
(Lecture 19, Slide 5)

Question 3

When does the peak of cannabis occur and how long do effects last?

Answer 3

Peak occurs at 20 mins, effects last ~ 4 hours
(Lecture 19, Slide 5)

Question 4

What is the onset of effects and duration of effects of ingesting cannabis, compared to smoking cannabis?

Answer 4

Onset of effects is more delayed when ingested but lasts for longer
(Lecture 19, Slide 5)

Question 5

Name 3 effects of low doses of cannabis

Answer 5

Euphoria
Sense of relaxation
Sleepiness
Increased heart rate
Dilation of blood vessels
Increase in appetite
Visual and auditory stimuli enhanced
Slowing of time
(Lecture 19, Slide 6)

Question 6

Name 2 effects of high doses of cannabis.

Answer 6

Hallucinations
Paranoia
Delirium
Anxiety
Depersonalisation (feeling of being “outside” yourself)
(Lecture 19, Slide 6)

Question 7

What is the mechanism of action of cannabis and what does this lead to?

Answer 7

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds to cannabinoid receptors (CB1) in the brain and nervous system leading to the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, leading to the psychoactive effects of cocaine
(Lecture 19, Slide 7)

Question 8

What is the tolerance of cannabis?

Answer 8

Relatively little with small and infrequent doses
(Lecture 19, Slide 9)

Question 9

What are the severity of the withdrawal symptoms of cannabis?

Answer 9

Not severe even in heavy users
(Lecture 19, Slide 9)

Question 10

What is the addiction and dependence possibilities of cannabis?

Answer 10

Dependence is possible, addiction is less likely
(Lecture 19, Slide 9)

Question 11

What does cannabis cause in the lungs?

Answer 11

The same pre-cancerous changes in lung tissue as cigarette smoking
(Lecture 19, Slide 10)

Question 12

How much does heart rate go up when smoking marijuana (cannabis)?

Answer 12

20% - 100%
(Lecture 19, Slide 10)

Question 13

What does the increased heart rate from smoking marijuana result in?

Answer 13

An increased risk of heart disease (4.2%) and risk of a heart attack in the first hour after smoking
(Lecture 19, Slide 10)

Question 14

Name 2 groups of mental health effects that cannabis increases the likelihood of occuring.

Answer 14

Psychotic illness
Affective Disorders
Cognitive deficits
(Lecture 19, Slide 11)

Question 15

What does cannabidiol protect against?

Answer 15

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
(Lecture 19, Slide 11)

Question 16

Name 2 adverse effects of cannabidiol (CBD) therapy.

Answer 16

Somnolence (a state of drowsiness or strong desire to fall asleep)
Fatigue
Drug - drug interactions which can lead to other problems
Gastrointestinal disturbances
Possible connection to suicidal thoughts
(Lecture 19, Slide 11)

Question 17

Who issues the licence to grow / manufacture cannabis under controlled conditions for medical research?

Answer 17

The Home Office
(Lecture 19, Slide 12)

Question 18

Name 2 therapeutic uses for synthetic analogues of cannabis.

Answer 18

Nausea and vomiting (for post - cancer therapy)
Increase in appetite (used in AIDS wasting syndrome in the US)
Improvement in spasm, tremor and pain in MS
Analgesic (pain - reliving)
(Lecture 19, Slide 13)

Question 19

What are psychotomimetic agents?

Answer 19

Drugs that produce an effect on the mind similar to a psychotic state
(Lecture 19, Slide 17)

Question 20

Name 3 psychotomimetic agents.

Answer 20

Cannabis
LSD
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Mescaline
Psilocybin
Bufotenine
Ibogaine
(Lecture 19, Slide 17)

Question 21

What does LSD stand for?

Answer 21

Lysergic acid diethylamide
(Lecture 19, Slide 18)

Question 22

What are the psychological effects of LSD that occur within 10 minutes?

Answer 22

An initial burst of adrenaline-like activity - (increase heart rate and blood pressure, expanding lung air passages, enlarging eye pupils and decreasing sensitivity to pain improving senses and slowing digestion)
(Lecture 19, Slide 19)

Question 23

What are 2 psychological effects of LSD that occur between 30 - 60 mins?

Answer 23

Emotional liability
Time distortions
Visual and auditory illusions and hallucinations
Synaesthesia (confusion of sensory systems)
Illogical thought
Events take on mystical or religious overtones
(Lecture 19, Slide 19)

Question 24

What is the dependence and toxicity of LSD?

Answer 24

Little potential for dependence, and little toxicity
(Lecture 19, Slide 20)

Question 25

Name 2 adverse effects of LSD?

Answer 25

Exhaustion
Low mood
“Bad trip” - pre-existing anxiety amplified combined with paranoid

Long term:

Psychotic episodes
Flashbacks
(Lecture 19, Slide 20)

Question 26

What is the mechanism of action of LSD?

Answer 26

It’s thought to reduce the firing of 5-HT (serotonin) sensitive neurones by binding to inhibitory auto receptors on incoming nerve terminals, decreasing 5-HT release.
(Lecture 19, Slide 21)

Question 27

What are the effects of phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine?

Answer 27

Both are hallucinogenic (thought PCP is more potent)
(Lecture 19, Slide 22)

Question 28

What are the medical uses of ketamine?

Answer 28

Used as a veterinary anaesthetic, but also used in the ICU
(Lecture 19, Slide 22)

Question 29

Why is ketamine used in the ICU?

Answer 29

It is a dissociative anaesthetic, patient is detached from the environment, but is awake and unresponsive to pain
(Lecture 19, Slide 22)

Question 30

Name 2 adverse effects of phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine as a result of overdosing.

Answer 30

Seizures
May result in a coma
Respiratory depression
Cardiac arrest
(Lecture 19, Slide 23)

Question 31

What type of drugs are cannabis and LSD?

Answer 31

Psychotomimetics
(Lecture 19, Slide 17)