Medical Marijuana/Psychadelics Flashcards
1
Q
Legalities
A
- Illegal at the federal level.
~ Research in the US greatly limited. - Medical and/or recreational access in 48 states.
~ Illegal in Nebraska and Idaho.
~ Legal in D.C.
2
Q
Cannabis
A
- Contains over 480 biochemical compounds.
~ Cannabinoids
> THC
> CBD
3
Q
Endocannabinoids
A
- Plant cannabinoids mimic the action of
endocannabinoids.
~ Endocannabinoids and their receptors
are found throughout the human
body including the nervous and
immune systems.
> Similar to the opioid system.
4
Q
Endocannabinoids: Receptors
A
- Two main receptors:
~ СВ1
~ CB2
> Both bind with endocannabinoids
and plant cannabinoids.
> THC has good affinity for both
receptors
> CBD affinity is low for both
receptors
5
Q
CB1 Receptors
A
- High concentration in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
~ Found in both GABA and Glutamate
releasing neurons
> Binding to CB1 can be excitatory or
inhibitory depending on the
neurons involved
6
Q
Effects of CB1 Binding: Food
A
- Increases food intake when neurons in area of the brain that control feeding are excited (“munchies”)
- Increases odor detection, which can increase feeding behavior.
- Good for AIDs and cancer patients experiencing weight loss
7
Q
Effects of CB1 Binding: Glaucoma
A
- Mechanism is not clear, but there are CB1 receptors in most eye tissues related to glaucoma.
~ May decrease aqueous humor
production - MM can decrease intraocular pressure (25%), but effect lasts only 3-4 hours.
8
Q
Effects of CB1 Binding: Antiemetic
A
- Decreases nausea & vomiting.
~ Shown to be as effective if not more
effective than prescription antiemetic
drugs
~ THC shown to inhibit both control and
peripheral nerve impulses - Good for cancer pts. going through chemo
9
Q
Effects of CB1 Binding: Pain
A
- Inhibit pain afferents centrally and peripherally
- May indirectly affect opioid receptors by increasing endogenous opioid production or release.
~ Studies do support the pain reducing
properties of cannabinoids.
~ Studies show that when cannabinoids
are used with opioid medication the
amount of opioid medication needed
is reduced.
10
Q
Effects of CB1 Binding: Multiple Sclerosis
A
- Autoimmune disease affecting myelin covering of nerves.
- Can result in motor, sensory and cognitive dysfunction.
- MM used mostly to manage the pain and muscle spasticity associated with the disease.
~ Does appear to reduce pain and
perception of spasticity through CNS
nerve inhibition
~ Doesn’t appear to reduce to actual
spasticity - Because of the distribution of CB2 receptors in the immune system there may be some efficacy in modulating the autoimmune mechanism for the disease.
11
Q
CB2 Receptors
A
- High concentrations throughout the immune system.
~ Bone Marrow - Monocytes
~ Spleen - B-Cells
~ Thymus - T-Cells
12
Q
Effects of CB2 Binding: Inflammatory Response
A
- Inhibitory to the inflammatory response
~ Reduces inflammation associated
with atherosclerotic plaque
development.
> Heart Attack
> Stroke
13
Q
Effects of CB2 Binding: Osteoblasts
A
- Enhances osteoblasts reproduction and activation
~ Good for Osteoporosis
14
Q
OTC “Supplements”: CBD Oil
A
- OT CBD comes from hemp rather than marijuana plants.
~ The Charlotte’s Web strain has been
reclassified as hemp because of the
low THC levels. - CBD oil can also come from the marijuana plant, but it’s not OTC
15
Q
Epilepsy
A
- Some anecdotal evidence that MM can help those with epilepsy.
~ Recent study does show efficacy. - Focus is on those with forms of treatment resistant epilepsy.
~ Dravet Syndrome
> Pt. has 1,200 seizures over the
course of a month - Inhibits neurons in the brain
~ CBD is favored since it doesn’t have
psychoactive properties (no high)
