12/6/2010 Biology Family : Cannabaceae Cannabis / Marijuana / Marihuana Genus : Cannabis Species : sativa; indica; ruderalis Psychology 472 Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slides 1 2 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. 3 4 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) 5 6 12/6/2010 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% 7 8 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 Bu d 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 13 14 15 16 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. Ching, 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. 17 18 12/6/2010 Until the 1930’s Was Used in Medicines Was Used in Products 19 20 Was Used for Intoxication Effects of Cannabis on the Body 21 22 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,” 23 24 12/6/2010 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 25 26 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 27 28 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 29 30 12/6/2010 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. 31 32 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. 33 34 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 35 36 12/6/2010 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 37 38 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 39 40 Concentrations of Receptors Main Impact sites Motor Basal Ganglia Cerebellum Memory Hippocampus Attention, memory, concentration Prefrontal cortex 41 42 12/6/2010 MFB Effects THC binds on THC receptors Once bound, dopamine is released Activates reward system FlFeels goo d 43 44 Reward System Affects Medial Forebrain Bundle Binding in nucleus accumbens. Causes increased release of dopamine. Increases of activity on reward pathway. Creates addiction cycle. 45 46 Psychological Effects More Effects High levels can cause giddiness Relaxation, Euphoria, etc. Can initially get increased