MARIJUANA

Question 1

main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana

Answer 1

THC

Question 2

marijuana acts as an _______ on an endogenous neurochemical system termed

Answer 2

endocannabinoids

Question 3

receptors for cannabinoid system

Answer 3

CB1 (in CNS) and CB2 (immune system, bones, fat cells, GI tract)

Question 4

What are the effects of THC activating CB1 receptors

Answer 4

reduced locomotion 
hypothermia 
hypoalgesia 
hyperphagia (increased appetite)
cognitive deficits

Question 5

What type of receptors are cannabinoid receptors

Answer 5

metabotropic, work via G proteins to inhibit cAMP formation, close Ca2+ and open K+ channels

Question 6

CB1 receptors are +______-receptors.

Answer 6

heteroreceptors. inhibit release of many neurotransmitters

Question 7

Two endogenous endocannabinoid

Answer 7

1. anandamide (partial agonist)

2. 2-AG. full agonist

Question 8

Metabolism of endocannabinoids

Answer 8

1. anandamide is broken down by FAAH

2. 2-AG is broken down by MAGL

Question 9

Mechanism of endocannabinoids

Answer 9

are retrograde messengers (post to pre)
1. Action potential, neuron is activated
2. Causes CA entry to come into the cell.
3. Certain enzymes in post synaptic neuron that are sensitive to Ca entry and when Ca binds to these particular enzymes, it causes these post synaptic cells to make endocannabinoid molecules on the spot.
Once the are formed, they can go from post synaptic cell and stimulate pre synaptic receptors on terminal and causes Ca channels to close, resulting in less transmitter release.

Question 10

two other ways cannabinoids can affect neural activity

Answer 10

non-retrograde: anandamide activates either cannabinoid or TRPV1 receptors in the post synaptic cells.
2. Activate receptors on nearby astrocytes resulting in release of glutamate

Question 11

function of cannabinoids 
4 things

Answer 11

pain perception - reduces pain sensitivity, working brain and spinal cord to produce analgesia.

reduces nausea - good for chemotherapy

feeding/appetite - enhance motivational properties of food and stimulate appetite.

learning/memory - play a role in extinction.

Question 12

describe tail flick task

Answer 12

Tail flick test on rats
- Take a rat, put its tail in a tub of hot water, causes a withdrawal response (tail flick).
- You measure how long it takes for a rat to flick its tail out of the hot water.
- Under control, animals took 6 seconds.
When CB1 receptor agonist, they could tolerate it for more than twice as long.

Question 13

AM6545

Answer 13

CB1 antagonist

Question 14

how long is half life of THC

Answer 14

20+ hours. gets taken up by fat tissues.

Question 15

four stages of intoxication (behavioural effects)

Answer 15

1. buzz (lightheaded)
2. high (euphoria, disinhibition)
3. stoned - relaxation
4. come down

Question 16

physical responses of marijuana use 3 things.

Answer 16

1. increased heart rate + blood flow to skin
2. eyes flushing
3. increased hunger, crunchy things

Question 17

marijuana and memory:

Answer 17

impairs verbal and spatial memory, time estimation and reaction time task.

Question 18

chronic marijuana users show reduced activation in

Answer 18

prefrontal amygdala regions. less able to detect emotional cues

Question 19

Marijuana and schizophrenia

Answer 19

Marijuana can be a stressor that can be the trigger for first psychotic break in individuals who already are susceptible to schizophrenia

Question 20

Chronic marijuana use shows _____ dopaminergic function in striatum

Answer 20

impaired. may play a role in long-term disturbances in mood, motivation, and cognition

Question 21

what does marijuana tolerance look like

Answer 21

desensitization and down regulation of CB1 receptors

Question 22

human marijuana withdrawal symptoms

Answer 22

irritability, increased anxiety and aggressiveness, decreased appetite, depressed mood, sleep disturbances.