Understanding Cannabinoids And Their Effects - 2037 Words

Understanding Cannabinoids Join us (and the rest of the world) in somewhat understanding cannabinoids and their effects. Understanding cannabinoids as a layman seems to be only slightly less confusing than understanding them as a scientist. That’s not entirely true, but we are talking about a system within the human body with who-knows-how-many receptors and we’ve identified exactly two in the last twenty years. Which is great, because new science is fun, and the concept of understanding cannabinoids is definitely new science. What are cannabinoids? Cannabinoids are compounds that produce the effects experienced from ingesting Cannabis. There are four types of cannabinoids recognized by the National Institutes of Health: * Phytocannabinoids include all of the plant material (leaves, stem, seeds, etc.) * Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are produced by the human body * Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical imitations * â€Å"Purified natural occurring† extracts are attempts to isolate cannabinoids The discovery of endocannabinoids led to the identification of an entire system in the human body, comprised of lipids, receptors, and enzymes. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for a host of physiological processes that rely on the interactivity of cannabinoids and their receptors. Since their discovery and cloning in the early ‘90s, the CB1 and CB2 receptors are still the only receptors that have been identified in the endocannabinoid system. The location of aShow MoreRelatedThe Relationship Between Marijuana And Depression1251 Words   |  6 Pagesconflicting conclusions regarding the relationship. A focus has been on the cannabinoids, a group of chemicals that confer the impacts of the plant on the users. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main active pharmacological constituent of marijuana and the point of interest for the researchers to discern the relationship between marijuana and depression in the users. In particular, studies try to find the impact of THC on the cannabinoid receptor (CB) 1. The receptor is located in the peripheral as well asRead MoreEssay about Informative Speech The Medical Properties of Marijuana1153 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Joyce Taus Title: The Medical Properties of Marijuana Purpose: To inform the audience of marijuana’s medicinal components and explain the medical benefits as well as the risks associated with the medication. Thesis: The five main factors to understanding marijuana’s role in medicine are: 1) Overview of cannabis and its chemical actions in humans. 2) Symptoms Treated, 3) Specific modes of administration, 4) Benefits of the drug, and 5) Risks of the drug. I. Introduction A. Hook (Gain the audience’sRead MoreHow to Control Huntington’s Disease875 Words   |  3 Pagescontaining an expanded polyglutamine region near the amino terminus, which favor protein cleavage and accumulation of the N-terminus in the nucleus. N-terminal huntingtin affects transcription of subsets of genes. Early in HD progression, levels of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and dopamine receptor type 2 (D2) are reduced in the medium spiny neurons of the striatum. CB1 receptor is able to activate several signaling pathways through the activation of different G proteins as well as arrestin-2. FurthermoreRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal Essay1156 Words   |  5 Pagesmedical marijuana, one must sift through what is fact and what is fiction. To begin understanding, one must first learn how marijuana works. Marijuana’s main hallucinogen is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, THC (â€Å"Cannabis and Cannabinoids†). This compound reacts with recepto rs in the brain to produce the euphoric â€Å"high† associated with pot smokers. Cannabidiols (CBD) are the compounds that lead to the healing effects or marijuana. These compounds react with various areas of the brain to generate certainRead MoreDo we take things for granted, how far have we come enough in our advancement in medicine? Its sad700 Words   |  3 Pagestetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids which can be used for medical needs to relieve pain, nausea or to combat glaucoma and it also helps increase ones appetite. Although used for medical purposes that helped people there has been concern over the abuse of the drug marijuana as studies have shown that there could be significant impairments of memory and cognition specifically the difference between new and heavy users. â€Å"Investigators could not explain the effects of marijuana on the brain untilRead MoreDo Glial Cells Make You Clever?1500 Words   |  6 Pagessignificantly enhanced learning behaviour , spatial learning, memory and discrimination; Han, et al, 2012 showed that activation of cannabinoid receptors on astroglia had a negative effect on spatial working memory (SWM) leading to long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus in response to exogenous cannabinoids, contributing to t marijuana’s effect on memory more than neurons; Lee, et al., 2014 demonstrated that normal information processing and cognitive behaviour is astrocyteRead MoreMedicinal Marijuana Should Be Legal1512 Words   |  7 PagesMarijuana popularly known as cannabis can also be used in the treatment of several ailments apart from its misuse. There are several differences that have been marked with the knowledge pertaining the medical consumption of cannabinoids and cannabis in a variety of sicknesses. For vomiting and nausea that is associated with chemotherapy of cancer, cachexia in HIV, anorexia, chronic, spasticity in numerous sclerosis and injury of the spinal cord ar e strong evidences of the medicinal benefits of theRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal For Medical Marijuana?1180 Words   |  5 Pagesrelated to medical marijuana, but it also created a safe environment for the sharing of information. Two symposiums were held in 2002 and 2004. These symposiums brought together experts and leaders in the field of science related to marijuana and cannabinoid research. As a result of the creation of the CMCR, clinical trials of smoked marijuana were carried out successfully within the U.S. which was something that had not been accomplished in over 20 years (Grant et al., 2010). The findings relatedRead MoreEssay about Marijuana Legislation: Marijuana Should Be Legalized1119 Words   |  5 Pagescommonly experience headaches from caffeine withdrawal as a result of their body’s addiction to the drug. Marijuana, on the other hand, has zero withdrawal symptoms. Its side effects include sleepiness, a feeling of euphoria, and an increased appet ite. So, why are those deadly substances legal when marijuana has no fatal effects to one’s health? Tobacco use kills millions, while marijuana use alone has not been recorded to have killed a single person in history. Evidence has proven that marijuana isRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal?1160 Words   |  5 Pagesof years before the United States existed. The primary cannabinoids in marijuana are called cannabinoids, these activate cannabinoid receptors in the human body. There are also endocannabinoids that are produced naturally by humans and animals. So something that your body is already producing can’t be too harmful, right? Exactly right, not only is it not harmful whatsoever to your body but it actually helps you! There are six main cannabinoids: THC, THCV, CBG, CBC, CBN, and CBD (which I mentioned