PSYC 3403 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabinoid Receptor, Tetrahydrocannabinol

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3403
• Professor: Tarry Ahuja

Document Summary

Tetrahydrocannabinol (thc: pharmacokinetics, pharmacological effects, tolerance and dependence, therapeutic uses. Also known as cannabis, marijuana, or ganja. Psychoactive compounds produced: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (thc, cannabinol, cannabidiol. Hashish: dried portions of the female flower: high potency; 10-20% Ganja: dried tops of the female flower: medium potency; 5-8% Marijuana: dried remainder of the plant: low potency; 2-5% 1940"s public convinced it was a killer drug . Cigarette (joint): dried marijuana buds are mixed with tobacco and rolled into cigarette. Cigar (blunt): slice open and replace with marijuana. Bong: water pipes which increase concentration of thc. Food: baked in brownies or added to teas. Thc was isolated as the active ingredient. Inhibits adenylate cyclise: binds thc, binds other cannabinoids. Inhibition of ca2+ entry: facilitates k+ channels. As a result, inhibits release of other nts: presynaptic gaba release. Both are partial agonists (interact with binding site, but not perfectly) Activates 50% of available receptors (thc activates ~20%) Basal ganglia and cerebellum: movement and posture.