Lecture 2 - Cannabis Flashcards
What plant does cannabis come from?
Cannabis sativa
What is the main psychoactive compound?
Delta9-THC
What forms does the drug come in?
Plant material, resin and oil.
What are the main administration routes for cannabis?
-Inhalation which has more potent effects, inhaled in the lungs and stays for time. Up to 50% is absorbed.
-Oral, usually of edibles, eating the leaf or drops of oil, less potent effects.
How does THC distribute?
THC rapidly distributed into blood from tissues. Mainly its fatty tissues, and remains for 8 days.
How does the metabolism work?
-For inhaltion, msot takes place in the lungs.
-Taken orally, will take place in the liver, via the CYTOCHROME P450 enzyme.
-Some of the metabolites produced are active, like 11-OH-THC.
How does the elimination work?
Long and complex.
Metabolites are gradually released from the tissues but can be re-absorbed by the kidneys.
More than 65% is exctred in 11-OH-THC, and 20% in COOH-THC and excreted in urine.
How does the mechanism of action work? what does binding to the receptors result in?
Acts on the CNS, they act on receptors which regulate contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle tissues.
This binding results in inhibition of ATP receptors, inhibition of calcium channels and activation of potassium channels.
What are 2 other components?
Cannabinol and cannabinoid, which interact with specific receptors (CB1 AND CB2)
What are the effects of taking cannabis? and how fast can these go away?
Euphoria, relaxation, increased heart rate and blood pressure. These can go away within 3-6 hours
What are 3 examples of adverse side effects?
Lack of concentration, paranoia and increased appetite.
What are the respiratory side effects?
A cough and an increase in airway resistance.
What are the cardiovascular effects?
Palpitations, dilation of peripheral veins, insufficient blood flow to the brain, dizziness and fainting.
What are the dependence effect?
Users don’t tend to get addicted but if took in high doses can see some withdrawal effects.
Examples are anxiety and low appetite.
How can cannabis be used therapeutically?
-Legal in some parts of the world for medicinal uses
-Used to treat cancer, antihypertensives and antispasmodics.
-Dronabinol used to help sickness from chemo.
-Studies of anti-inflammatory and antitumor.
-Cannabidiol can be purchased in the UK
-Some oils with CBD and THC can be prescribed by Drs.
-Used for epilepsy, pain relief and cancer treatment.
