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THE PHARMACOLOGY OF CANNABIS
It's the most widely used illegal drug on earth, but very few people understand how it works in the brain, I want to shed some light on one of the most inexplicable highs known to humankind
THREAD //
It's the most widely used illegal drug on earth, but very few people understand how it works in the brain, I want to shed some light on one of the most inexplicable highs known to humankind
THREAD //
Cannabis has an incredibly long history of human use
Carl Sagan once famously suggested that cannabis was the first agricultural product grown, something which archeology suggests is indeed true
The Bible is also contains numerous references to a plant that resembles cannabis
Carl Sagan once famously suggested that cannabis was the first agricultural product grown, something which archeology suggests is indeed true
The Bible is also contains numerous references to a plant that resembles cannabis
All things considered, it seems that the human brain has evolved alongside the use of cannabis
Therefore it's not surprising that we have a receptor system that cannabinoids fit perfectly, known as the endocannabinoid system
Therefore it's not surprising that we have a receptor system that cannabinoids fit perfectly, known as the endocannabinoid system
There are two distinct receptors within the system known as CB1 and CB2, they're dispersed in different parts of the body but have similar structures
The two main endogenous molecules that bind to them are anandamide and 2-AG
The two main endogenous molecules that bind to them are anandamide and 2-AG
These endocannabinoids regulate a number of different body processes including appetite, inflammation, immunity, and pain perception
Tylenol actually kills pain by blocking the enzyme FAAH, which breaks down anadamide, cacao contains compounds that function similarly as well
Tylenol actually kills pain by blocking the enzyme FAAH, which breaks down anadamide, cacao contains compounds that function similarly as well
As most people are aware, THC is considered the primary active constituent of cannabis
Interestingly it's actually a lipid, because of this it can be stored in fats cells which is why you can sometimes fail a drug test weeks after quitting smoking
Interestingly it's actually a lipid, because of this it can be stored in fats cells which is why you can sometimes fail a drug test weeks after quitting smoking
THC only partially activates CB1/2 receptors, but the higher concentration of it leads to psychoactive effect
One of it's primary actions is moderately lowering levels of the messenger molecule cAMP (opiates have a similar effect) which may be how THC can reduce pain/excitation
One of it's primary actions is moderately lowering levels of the messenger molecule cAMP (opiates have a similar effect) which may be how THC can reduce pain/excitation
Because of this, at lower doses THC is usually very relaxing/sedating, but at higher doses this effect changes
Many have had the experience of getting "too high" at some point, this is a result of something called retrograde signalling
Many have had the experience of getting "too high" at some point, this is a result of something called retrograde signalling
One of the functions of ECs is to prevent excitatory/inhibitory signals from firing at the same time, usually by blocking inhibitory signals, since THC is not as selective as ECs are this results in excitatory signals in different brain regions firing at the same time
In simpler terms lower doses increase GABA while higher doses increase Glutamate
THC also seems to block leptin (the hormone that tells you when you're full), and as a result may have some ability to lower insulin levels, both of which contribute to the "munchies"
THC also seems to block leptin (the hormone that tells you when you're full), and as a result may have some ability to lower insulin levels, both of which contribute to the "munchies"
CBD is the other primary constituent of marijuana, it is what's known as a negative allosteric modulator of the CB receptors
Think of it as a brake system, it slows down overactivation caused by THC, this is why high-CBD strain are often less anxiety inducing
Think of it as a brake system, it slows down overactivation caused by THC, this is why high-CBD strain are often less anxiety inducing
CBD is neuroprotective (as are ECs), and may have some ability to prevent neurodegenerative disorders
It also has a protective effect on insulin producing cells which many help prevent diabetes, and prevents excess inflammatory cytokine release
It also has a protective effect on insulin producing cells which many help prevent diabetes, and prevents excess inflammatory cytokine release
It may also reduce autoimmunity by shifting the immune system towards the Th2 mode of expression
Interestingly it has also been shown to inhibit FAAH as well, increasing the concentration of anandamide in the brain
Interestingly it has also been shown to inhibit FAAH as well, increasing the concentration of anandamide in the brain
Both THC and CBD also activate a receptor called TRPV1
TRPV1 is fascinating because it's actually responsible for the sensation of hot/cold (capsaicin binds to it which is what makes food spicy), it's activation causes the release of endorphins and blocks inflammation
TRPV1 is fascinating because it's actually responsible for the sensation of hot/cold (capsaicin binds to it which is what makes food spicy), it's activation causes the release of endorphins and blocks inflammation
Activation of CB receptors has also been shown to activate a number of pathways that induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), apoptosis is what keeps most cells from growing into tumors, because of this many compounds in cannabis have been researched for anti-cancer potential
The psychologically addictive effects of cannabis result from a pairing opiate and CB receptors that occurs in some parts of the brain, activating one results in some crossover activation of the other, as well as the release of endorphins from TRPV1, both produce reward/euphoria
Cannabis use also downregulates endocannabinoid production in the brain, creating tolerance to some of its effects over time, the system may take some time to bounce back after long term use hence why some people feel mildly "off" after quitting
Overall though cannabis contains over 400 compounds, and 50+ active cannabinoids, many of these lesser compounds have not been researched, but a few have
These include:
THCV: has been researched as a possible seizure preventative, may stimulate bone growth
THCA: the "inactive" form of THC, may prevent seizures, found in raw cannabis
CBC: may inhibit cancer cell growth, may promote bone growth, anti-inflammatory
Etc...
THCV: has been researched as a possible seizure preventative, may stimulate bone growth
THCA: the "inactive" form of THC, may prevent seizures, found in raw cannabis
CBC: may inhibit cancer cell growth, may promote bone growth, anti-inflammatory
Etc...
The idea that a strain that smells better to you will result in a high you like more actually has scientific backing
This is a result of a class of compounds called terpenes responsible for the smells of most plants/herbs
This is a result of a class of compounds called terpenes responsible for the smells of most plants/herbs
Terpenes actually have mild psychoactive effects that can synergize with the effects of cannabis some of these terpenes include:
Linalool: also found in lavender, sedative and antispasmodic
Myrcene: also found in many kitchen spices, enhances the sedative effects of cannabis
Linalool: also found in lavender, sedative and antispasmodic
Myrcene: also found in many kitchen spices, enhances the sedative effects of cannabis
a-Pinene: also found in pine trees, a mild acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, promotes memory + cognition
b-Caryophyllene: also found in black pepper/cloves, also activates the CB receptors
Limonene: also found in citrus fruits, has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects
b-Caryophyllene: also found in black pepper/cloves, also activates the CB receptors
Limonene: also found in citrus fruits, has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects
Cannabis is a fascinating plant with a very complex range of effects on the human body, it's being researched more and more, but this covered just about everything we know at this point
If you have any questions feel free to DM me or reply to this
Thanks for reading
If you have any questions feel free to DM me or reply to this
Thanks for reading
