Exam 4 - Marijuana and the Cannabinoids

Question 1

What does MJ come from?

Answer 1

cannabis sativa (plant)

Question 2

What is the psychoactive ingredient of MJ?

Answer 2

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Question 3

When was MJ first introduced?

Answer 3

1850s, but there is proposed use in the stone age

Question 4

What is the most effective method of administration?

Answer 4

smoking

Question 5

What is the half life? In chronic users, how long after use can it be detected in their system for?

Answer 5

• 24-48 hours
• 3-4 weeks

Question 6

Typical doses result in concentrations btwn ____ and ____ ng/mL of plasma.

Answer 6

100-200

Question 7

What metabolites is MJ converted to?

Answer 7

• 11-hydroxy-THC (active)
• 11-nor-carboxy-THC (nonactive)

Question 8

What receptors does MJ act on? Are they metabotropic or ionotropic? Where are they located?

Answer 8

• THC receptors, designated CB1 and CB2
• metabotropic
• cerebellum, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, hippocampus

Question 9

What does the THC receptor do?

Answer 9

• inhibits adenylyl cyclase
• inhibits release of DA, ACH, and 5-HTA

Question 10

What is an antagonist of the THC receptor?

Answer 10

SR 141716 (rimonabant)

Question 11

What is Anandamide? What is it metabolized by?

Answer 11

• arachidonic acid that is a weaker agonist than THC with a shorter half-life
• produced behavioral, hypothermic, and analgesic effects
• metabolized by FAAH

Question 12

What are the physiological effects of MJ?

Answer 12

• increase in heart and pulse rate
• decrease REM
• dry mouth/thirst, fluctuations of body temp, hunger
• generalized decrease in motor activity
• decrease pain sensitivity

Question 13

What are the behavioral effects of MJ?

Answer 13

• euphoria and exhilaration
• relaxation
• decrease in psychomotor activity
• decrease in pain sensitivity

Question 14

What are the cognitive effects of MJ?

Answer 14

• impairment in short-term memory (inhibits glutamate release)
• altered perception of time
• decrease in attention and concentration

Question 15

What are the effects of high doses of MJ?

Answer 15

• acute depressive and panic reactions, mild paranoia, depersonalization, depression

Question 16

Tolerance and Dependence of MJ, what are the withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 16

• chronic use causes behavioral tolerance and withdrawal symptoms that begin w/n 48 hours
• craving, irritability, anxiety, depressed mood, reduced food intake, insomnia, restlessness

Question 17

Therapeutic use of Cannabinoid agonists

Answer 17

• dornabinol (synthetic THC) is used as an appetite stimulant in pts with AIDS, and treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
  
  • also used for muscle spasticity in MS
• results for use as antidepressants and treatment for glaucoma are inconclusive

Question 18

Cannabinoid antagonists

Answer 18

• useful in people who wish to stop using
• other uses may involve enhancement of learning and memory and treatment of obesity
• MK-0364 and Rimonabant

Question 19

Synthetic cannabinoids

Answer 19

• much more potent cannabis substitute
• Spice/K2

Question 20

What are some side effects of K2 (synthetic cannabinoid)?

Answer 20

• anxiety
• paranoia
• headache
• vomiting
• psychosis
• diaphoresis
• HR/BP increase
• seizures
• can cause kidney damage