Psych: Tobacco, Marijuana, and Cannabidiol

Question 1

What are the benefits of vaping over smoking?

Answer 1

Less expensive
Tastes better
Fingers don't stink
Teeth whiter
smell and taste improves
No need to go outside
Less damage to lungs 
Looks improve

Overall, lots!

Question 2

Concerns for vaping?

Answer 2

Nicotine addiction

-can harm developing brain

Question 3

How does nicotine change your brain and what is the result?

Answer 3

Prefrontal cortex at harm, neuroplasticity is impaired
-responsible for executive functioning

• increase in risk taking, impulsivity, and novelty seeking behavior
• Decrease in learning and memory

Question 4

How does nicotine cause addiction?

Answer 4

Releases DA in brain, which feeds the reward systems in prefrontal cortex

-basically a vicious cycle where the only thing that brings DA release is more of the substance of addiciton

Question 5

What is found in the oil of many THC vapes that can cause permanent lung damage?

Answer 5

Vitamin E Acetate

Question 6

MOA of the devils lettuce (MariJ)?

Answer 6

Stimulates CB1 and CB2

Question 7

After stimulation of CB1 and CB2 by marijuana, what happens next?

Answer 7

1. CB1 and CB2 causes increased Ca++ levels
2. Activation of DAG lipase
3. DAG lipase makes 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)
4. 2-AG feeds back to pre-synaptic neuron, and causes less NT release

Question 8

What is dronabinol and what is its MOA?

Answer 8

Oral Synthetic Δ-9-THC, that mainly works via CB1 receptors

Question 9

What is the effect of dronabinol?

Answer 9

Analgesia
Increased Appitite
Muscle relaxation
Hormonal actions

Question 10

Clinical indication for dronabinol?

Answer 10

Anorexia in AIDs pts

Chemo induced Nausea/Vomiting

Question 11

What is nabilone?

Answer 11

THC capsule

-for chemo N/V

Question 12

What are the adverse effects of dronabinol and nabilone?

Answer 12

Impairs judgement and coordination
Sedation
Dry mouth
Bloodshot eyes
Tachycardia
Depression

Question 13

Besides appitite and nausea, what else can cannabis be used for?

Answer 13

Chronic pain
Anxiety
MS (spasticity)

Question 14

Why is fatty acide amide hydrolase (FAAH) of interest to big pharma?

Answer 14

A scottish woman with FAAH mutation experiences little anxiety or fear, is insensitive to pain, and heals quickly

Lucky her

Question 15

How is cannabidiol (CBD) different than THC?

Answer 15

It contains a hydroxyl group instead of a cyclic ring

Question 16

How is cannabidiols volume of distribution the same as THC?

Answer 16

They both rapidly distribute into adipose tissues

Question 17

Does CBD cause psychoactive effects of THC or have potential abuse?

Answer 17

Nope

Question 18

Adverse effects of CBD?

Answer 18

Really well tolerated

Question 19

When is CBD useful?

Answer 19

Genetic epileptic conditions
-Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Pain
N/V
CBD tampons for menstural pain
Anxiety/depression

Many others