Preeminent Animal Model Essay

Synthetic cannabinoids were created to bind the same receptors as the active compound in marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 to obtain the psychotropic effects such as euphoria. CB1 receptors are located within the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, in addition to peripheral organs such as the lungs, liver, and kidney. CB2 receptors are noted to be located on immune and hematopoietic cells, therefore desired and toxic

After several decades of research many important discoveries have been made about cannabis. Not only has the active ingredient been found, but also how it works in the brain. They found this using a new system called the endocannabinoid system which is a unique communications system in the brain and body which affects many important functions, including how someone feels, moves, and reacts.

Primary perceptual and other influences of THC can be linked to the CB1 receptor rather than CB2. CB2 receptors are linked to ability of THC and other cannabinoids to reduce pain, inflammation and act as an

A system was recently discovered to exist in the human body that consists of ligands and cannabinoid receptors. It is called the

"Unfortunately, much of what is known about the human pharmacology of smoked marijuana comes from experiments with plant material containing about 2% THC or less, or occasionally up to 4% THC. In addition, human experiments typically are done in laboratory settings where only one or two smoked doses were administered to relatively young, medically screened, healthy male volunteers well experienced with the effects of marijuana. Females rarely participated in past marijuana research because of prohibitions (now removed) against their inclusion. Thus the clinical pharmacology of single or

A naturally endocannabinoid in our bodies is called anandamide, which in Sanskrit means “a blissful amide” and is also found in other species including birds, reptiles and fish. Since our bodies produce their own form of “natural THC”, however tiny the amount, it is logical that humans are so drawn to marijuana’s herb! Both THC and anandamide produce their effects through lipid receptors, known as cannabinoid receptors, located on the cell surface throughout our bodies and have similar effects on our experience such as pain, appetite and memory. Cannabinoid receptors are the proteins that sit in the cell membrane and function like gate keepers, controlling which messages from outside the cell to shut down and which to let in. When THC binds

When a receptor receives information, it causes changes in the nerve cell. The chemical in marijuana that has a big impact on the brain is called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It is the main active chemical in marijuana. Scientists recently discovered that some areas in the brain have a lot of THC receptors, while other have very few or none. These clues are helping researchers figure out exactly how THC works in the brain.

For instance, the ability of THC and the synthetic CB1 receptor high efficacy agonist CP 55,940 to produce a positive place preference in rats and mice has been shown to depend on the timing of injections as well as on the range of doses used (Lepore et al. 1995; Valjent and 2000; Braida et al. 2001; Ghozland et al. 2002) as it does with other drugs (Bardo and Bevins 2000; Tzschentke 1998). Lepore et al. (1995) demonstrated that when a standard schedule of daily injections (i.e., vehicle, drug, vehicle, drug, etc.) before consecutive daily sessions was used, THC produced a conditioned place aversion for the compartment associated with its administration at a low 1.0 mg/kg dose but positive place preferences at higher 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg doses. When the schedule of daily injections was changed, allowing a longer wash-out time period between drug injections (i.e., vehicle, day off, drug, day off, vehicle, day off, drug, etc.), THC produced a conditioned place preference at a low 1.0 mg/kg dose but produced place aversions at higher 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg doses. The authors suggested that increasing the interval of time between THC injections might qualitatively change the effects of THC in this behavioral test, due to a “postdrug dysphoric rebound.” This may help to explain the

Marijuana in the late 1960s’ had only one percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, compared to present day where Health Canada has discovered there is at least 10 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol and 30 percent in some cases. The tetrahydrocannabinol is a strong chemical and works immediately after one has inhaled it. Tetrahydrocannabinol mimics the neurotransmitter anandamide, which fills in the synapse between neurons and this disrupts the brain’s regular functions. In a normally functioning brain, anandamide activates the cannabinoid receptors but when smoking marijuana tetrahydrocannabinol activates these receptors which are in the hippocampus, cerebellum and basal ganglia. This affects the short-term memory, coordination, and learning and problem-solving skills for an individual. Brain development is also affected by the use of cannabis. Dr. Harold Kalant conducted a study in the 1980s’ with rats and cannabis use. He separated the rats into two groups; rats exposed to cannabis at adolescents and rats exposed to cannabis in adulthood. Kalant observed the rats exposed to cannabis as adolescents, had difficulty with memory and learning even after nine years of no exposure. In comparison, the rats who were adults when exposed to cannabis didn’t have long term effects. It is evident that brain development was disrupted by the use of cannabis in the growing years. Also, Dr. Andra Smith saw in her functional magnetic resonance imaging of brain activity of regular cannabis smokers and non-smokers, that the smokers had a more brain activity. She stated it was due to the brain having to work hard to “respond accurately”. It is obvious that brain function and development is harshly impacted by the use of

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis isn’t just a single drug molecule, like alcohol or cocaine, but a mix of over 420 different chemical components. 61 of the called cannabinoids are unique to marijuana. THC is the chemical that triggers cannabis’ main drug action and effects in the body and brain. THC is like a feel-good chemical bomb that explodes on contact, and then breaks up into at least 80 different by products (or metabolites) before it’s eliminated from the body. The process starts as soon as THC enters the blood stream, and begins zeroing in on cannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system Once it checks into the brain, THC takes its own time in checking out. Unlike many other drugs, which are excreted from the body within hours, THC metabolites stick around--stored

It has been found that there are at least two active chemicals that researcher’s believe have medicinal application. It includes Cannabidiol (CBD), which impacts the brain, with no highs. Then, there is Tetrahydro Cannabinol (THC), which consists

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 a

Due to recent changes in legalization of Marijuana, the question of it being an addictive substance has come up often. According to Dale Archer, M.D., the vast majority of people that are avid marijuana users show no addictive symptoms, they can take it or leave it (Archer, M.D., 2012). This topic is of great interest as the response to the legalization of marijuana is gaining differing opinions from different generations. Many people assume that marijuana itself is addicting, research shows that the main ingredient THC or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is not chemically addictive (Archer, M.D., 2012). There is a line between use and abuse; any substance can be abused, whether it is soda, food, cocaine or other drugs. The question is do the chemicals in

Cannabis is in fact an extremely popular recreational drug around the world, just behind alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Tetrahydrocannabinol’s (THC) primary psychoactive effect is a state of relaxation, and to a lesser degree, forms of euphoria. Secondary psychoactive effects of THC are that of philosophical thinking, introspection, metacognition, in anxiety and paranoia cases. The psychoactive metabolite of THC produced in the liver (11-OH-THC)

Animal experimentation by scientists can be cruel and unjust, but at the same time it can provide long term benefits for humanity. Animals used in research and experiments have been going on for 2,000 years and keep is going strong. It is a widely debated about topic all over the world. Some say it is inhuman while others say it’s for the good of human kind. There are many different reasons why people perform experiments and why others total disagree with it.