12/6/2010
Biology
Family : Cannabaceae Cannabis / Marijuana / Marihuana Genus : Cannabis Species : sativa; indica; ruderalis
Psychology 472 Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs
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Marijuana Why is it Important? Most commonly used illicit drug in the world Considered a Gateway Drug Adolescent use has quadrupled since 1994 Is correlated with other drug use Grows throughout the world Is correlated with earlier sexual activity Past,,g generally yg grew in most temp erate and Is correlated with poorer academics tropical regions. Is correlated with other problems Problem Today can be grown anywhere Correlation does not imply causation Major psychoactive ingredient is THC (delta(delta--99-- Other legal drugs are also correlated with the above problems tetrahydrocannabinol) Other social problems are also correlated with above There are 400 other active chemicals.
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Derivatives of Cannabis Current Statistics Sinsemilla
Widest used illicit substance among all age groups Made from just the buds and flowering tops of 48% of middle aged adults 2626--3434 have tried marijuana and female plants that are not pollinated. inhaled Average = 7.5 % THC Current use is highest among young adults 18-18-2525 years of age. Can ranggge as high as 24% THC 1212--35+35+ yr. 32% report using in life time Canadian Bud Decreases in rates of past year use among most surveyed age groupsgroups----includingincluding the primary users (18 to 25)
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Other Derivatives of Cannabis Hashish Hash oil The sticky resin from the TarTar--likelike liquid distilled female plant flowers. from hashish, has an Collected by shaking average of 16% THC over a fine screen has an with a range and high as average of 3.6 % THC, 43% with a range as high as 28%
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Other Derivatives of Cannabis Marijuana Charas Common Slang Terms Used for thousands of years Medicinal use and religious ceremonies. Aunt Mary Kif Cannabis grown in high altitude conditions Boom Mary Jane Ultraviolet radiation is strong Produces substantially more THC Chronic (Marijuana alone or Pot Made byygy rubbing your hands throug h the flowers wwtith c cac)rack) Reefer The resin sticks to palms of hands. By the end of the day you have harvested perhaps 8 or 9 grams Dope Sinsemilla of charas. Ganja Skunk To make ‘Cream' it is necessary to go very slowly The faster one works, the lower the quality Grass Weed. Hash Generally smoked in clay pipes Gangster Still is used in India as part of certain religious ceremonies Herb Bud Indo 9 Hydro 10
Potency Levels Types of Cannabis/Marijuana C. Sativa Past - THC levels were 2 or 3 percent Is the most widespread variety, Is usually tall, laxly branched, has narrower leafs Present -Achieving 8 to 12 percent THC levels Found in warm lowland regions. through improved cultivation methods
BC Bud C. Indica Average potency of all tested samples has increased Are shorter, bushier plants. 52.4 percent (from 5.34% THC to 8.14%) within the Have adapted to cooler climates and highland past 5 years (DEA.gov). environments Has poorer fiber quality than C. Sativa but has more intoxicating properties Widely promoted for the manufacture of medicinal 11 preparations. 12 12/6/2010
C. Ruderalis Quality
Are shorter plants Depends on the species type for intoxicating Grow wild in Europe and central Asia. effects. Are conical in shape, branchless, have relatively wide C. Sativa has many strains desired by smokers leaflets Includes Acapulco Gold and Durban Poison C. Indica considered the most potent species C. Ruderalis low quality
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Brief History Other Countries
Hemp has been used in history for about 10,000 years In India was used recreationally. Used as a food in China about 6000 years BC The Muslims used it recreationally since alcohol Described in the oldest pharmacopoeia (The Pên-Pên-ts'aots'ao consumption was banned by the Koran. Chin g, 2000 B.C.) IddHhihIntroduced Hashish Prescribes marijuana preparations for "malaria, beriberi, constipation, rheumatic pains, absentabsent--mindedness,mindedness, and female Popularity spread quickly throughout 12th century disorders” (Schultes, R. E. 1967. Man and Marijuana. Nat. Hist. 82: 5959--63,63, 80, 82). Persia (Iran) and North Africa. Mention was made of the intoxicating properties, but the medicinal value was considered more important.
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Until the 1930’s Was Used in Medicines Was Used in Products
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Was Used for Intoxication Effects of Cannabis on the Body
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Pharmacokinetics Smoking
Rolled into cigarette (joints, reefer) Smoking Placed into a pipe or bong. Eating / Drinking Cigars: Tobacco is removed and replaced with cannabis Rectal (called a blunt) IV- Intravenous (toxic) Blunt smoked with a 40 oz. malt liquor is called a “B“B--40”40” Can be laced with other substances (cocaine, opium products) Joint + crack cocaine called “primos” or “woolies” Joints + PCP called “happy sticks,” “wickey stick,”
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Some Smoking Devices Smoking
About 50% enters the lungs Most enters the body. Reaches brain in about 30 seconds Peak levels 30-30-6060 minutes Lasts about 3 -4 hours Difficult to quantify dose-dose-effecteffect User variability
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Eating / Drinking Rectal
THC content is usually higher Rarely used Brownies shakes and other foods THC levels similar to food Absorbed slowly Improved by adding cooking oil (e. g., baking). Brewed into a tea Others Larger oral doses are needed to have same effect First pass metabolism issues
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Distribution by Cardiovascular System Metabolism Mostly in liver THC moves from blood into fatty tissuetissue.. Creates active metabolites. Very rapid HalfHalf--lifelife of single dose can be very variable; 20–20–6060 hours 2525––3030 percent may remain in fatty tissue for a week ExcretionExcretion:: Continuous use accumulates in fat 40–65% excreted in feces,,, remainder in urine. May take weeks to leave after use stops Chronic users may show positive urine samples for a month after stopping. Reason for identification of use for long periods after discontinuation of use
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Pharmacodynamics Effects Mild to moderate analgesia Effects will depend on Motor effects Administration route Ataxia, muscle weakness, tremor Smoking fast, Oral slower Impaired motor coordination Level of THC Antianxiety Reduced anger and aggression Expectancy Time and sensory distortions Set / Setting Impaired cognitive functioning Amount consumed Impairs ability to focus attention and filter out irrelevant Influence of additional compounds information. Deficiencies are subtle and may involve persistent absorption of THC from fat stores.
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Other Effects Respiratory System Problems Sedation / Sleep from Smoking Low Doses Throat irritation Causes drowsiness and sleep Bronchial irritation Higher doses Bronchial inflammation Decreased REM sleep All create heavy coughs. Increases slow-slow-wavewave sleep. Emphysema Nausea CliihCorrelations with cancers (see NIDA.gov) Can doubles/triples the risk It is effective against nausea and vomiting. Smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke Tolerance develops..develops Also increases enzymes that converts some hydrocarbons into carcinogenic forms Appetite: Health effects are similar to smoking cigarettes Occur faster due to the concentrations of smoke Increased consumption of “snack food” (may depend on Trying to hold in the smoke as long as possible setting or dose). More exposure to carcinogenic compounds Dry mouth, thirst Creates more inflammation and damage.
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Immune system Cardiovascular System THC depresses the immune system Increased heart rate Makes users more susceptible to cold, flu and other Increased blood pressure. infections Blood vessel dilation Makes users more susceptible to BBPS Increased risk of heart attack in the first hour Once you get a disease, it takes longer to after smoking (NIDA.gov) recover. Decreases intraocular eye pressure
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Reproductive system Effects on the Brain
Males Acts as an initial stimulant and later a depressant Decreases production of testosterone and sperm Get psychoactive impairment formation. At higher levels is a pain inhibitor Females Causes a loss of muscular coordination Can affect menstrual cycles and hormone levels Often due to impacts on the cerebellum Impairs tracking ability and causes “trailing” Fetus Impairs shortshort--termterm memory Can cause growth reduction and maternal lung damage Long term use associated with permanent memory loss
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Receptors Receptor Subtypes Usually impacts presynaptic elements CB Inhibits calcium flux 1 Found in brain and in other body organs Facilitates potassium channels. CB Result decreased NT release 2 Found outside of brain Found in peripheral immune system
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Concentrations of Receptors
Main Impact sites Motor Basal Ganglia Cerebellum Memory Hippocampus Attention, memory, concentration Prefrontal cortex
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MFB Effects
THC binds on THC receptors Once bound, dopamine is released Activates reward system FFleels good
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Reward System
Affects Medial Forebrain Bundle Binding in nucleus accumbens. Causes increased release of dopamine. Increases of activity on reward pathway. Creates addiction cycle.
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Psychological Effects More Effects
High levels can cause giddiness Relaxation, Euphoria, etc. Can initially get increased alertness High levels –Confusion / Paranoia High levels can get major distortions and Mental dissociation from the environment perceptions of time, color and sound May develop feelings of déjà vu Called hallucinations Difficulty concentrating For most users, THC exaggerates mood Personality becomes more suggestible
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Adverse Psychological Effects Learning and Emotional
Anxiety Slows learning and disrupts concentration Temporary psychotic reactions Disrupts hippocampal formation Extreme paranoia Hallu cinations AiildAmotivational syndrome Correlated with use levels All tend to be rare Is usually dose related Problem avoidance Usually does not occur at lower levels
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Tolerance / Dependence Withdrawal
Chronic users develop tolerance similar to other Withdrawal is typically delayed drugs THC can be stored in the fat cells Later, the withdrawal effect may appear THC can persist in the body of a chronic user for u p to 6 months even tho u gh effects last only Symptoms include 22--44 hours Anger or irritability Hair samples become important for testing Aches, pains or chills Depression Inability to concentrate Similar to opiate withdrawal but at a lower level
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Other Withdrawal Symptoms Neurons
Slight tremors Causes down regulation and desensitization of Sleep disturbances brain cannabinoid receptors. Result -Need more of the drug to get an effect Decreased appetite (Tolerance) Sweating Craving
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Medical Marijuana Problems
Advocates Contains over 400 chemicals and 60 different AppetiteAppetite--HIV, eating disorder, wasting syndrome. cannabinoids Nausea & VomitingVomiting--cancer treatment side effect relief Other drugs can be used for same diseases Dronabinol [Marinol] = THC in sesame oil without the high Nabilone [Cesamet] = synthetic Other drugs do not need to be used as often Neurological & Movement Disorders, MS, Epilepsy, May control nausea but decreases Parkinson's, seizures, convulsions. immunological functioning Analgesia Others Glaucoma
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Therapeutic effect of cannabis Perhaps the best known use of cannabis in a therapeutic setting is as an analgesic in the management of cancer pain, postpost--operative,operative, and phantom limb pain.pain. Cannabinoids have also More Medical Controversy been used in prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by anticancer drugs, and to stimulate appetite in palliative care for anorexia caused by opioids, antiviral drugs, AIDSAIDS--relatedrelated illnesses or terminal cancer. Other effects include bronchodilator effect on small airways of the lungs and ability to decrease intraocular pressure. It is paradoxical that ionotropic have been Testing problems reported to be of therapeutic value in neurological disorders associated with spasticity, ataxia, and muscle weakness because similar symptoms can be caused by cannabis itself. Application / dosage differences No consistent dosage NNlTHCatural THC vs. man ma dDbilde Dronabinol Not advocated by most professional organizations Benefits verses risks Toxicity levels not known
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Currently Conclusions
Is a MultiMulti--billionbillion dollar business. Has been around a long time Has numerous webweb--sitessites Use remains controversial International market place Is becoming extremely more potent Hemp vs . Marij u ana Has implications for addiction Clothing, export/import issues Early use in adolescents will create problems in Social, medical, political implications many areas NORML (National Organization Reform Marijuana Legislation)
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Conclusions Drug Slang Directory
Lower risk for death than alcohol http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/drugsofab Still have lots of impacts on body systems use/l/blsldicindex.htm http://www.marijuanadictionary.com/chttp://www.marijuanadictionary.com/c-- mariju ana/mariju ana. html Is not the same marijuana that many of your parents may have used. Look at the bottom of the page for the index http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/drug_guide/B ySlang http://www.urbandictionary.com/
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