Effects of marijuana and cannabinoid

Bloch E (1983). Effects of marijuana and cannabinoids on reproduction, endocrine function, development and chromosomes. In KO Fehr and H Kalant (eds), Cannabis and Health Hazards. Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto. 

CBj Fairly well characterized in the brain and peripheral organs and tissues. Many effects of marijuana and cannabinoids have been attributed to activation of this receptor. New information emerging on the complex structure and splice variations that exist. CBj Also fairly well characterized and previously believed to be present in immune cells and in the periphery and not in the brain. New research shows expression in brain cells under varying conditions. 

Parker LA, Gillies T THC-induced place and taste aversions in Lewis and Sprague-Dawley rats. Behav Neurosci 109 71-78, 1995 Pope HG, Yurgelun-Todd D The residual cognitive effects of heavy marijuana use in college students. JAMA 275 521-327, 1996 Robson P Therapeutic aspects of cannabis and cannabinoids. BrJ Psychiatry 178 107-115, 2001... 

CB1 and CB2 can be found throughout the human body hence, there are a variety of ways that cannabinoids can physically and psychologically affect the body s systems. As an example, the presence of CB1 receptors in the eye may explain how marijuana eases glaucoma and relieves intraocular pressure. Other research indicates that THC can block receptors in the brain and body to produce dizziness, dry mouth, and altered depth perception— all common effects of marijuana use. There appears to be an... 

Today, scientists continue to try to unravel the biological mechanisms by which cannabinoids relieve pain, with hopes that one day a synthetic cannabinoid drug will be produced that can be legally prescribed to alleviate pain and suffering in people with AIDS, cancer, and other illnesses that cause chronic pain. At the same time, scientists hope that this new cannabinoid pain reliever will be free of the negative effects of marijuana, which include intoxication and addiction. 

The appetite-stimulating effects of marijuana have been known for centuries and constitute one of the established medicinal uses of cannabis preparations. Today THC (dronabinol/Marinol) is clinically used for the treatment of cachexia-anorexia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and palliative care patients. There have also been very promising advances in the development of a cannabinoid receptor antagonist (SR141716A, now named Rimonabant or Acomplia) for the treatment of obesity. 

The cerebellum is likely to be involved in the psychoactive effects of marijuana. The effects of cannabinoids on rCBF in the cerebellum are consistent with interactions between cannabinoids and the high concentration of CBi receptors in this brain area. Both acute marijuana intoxication and habitual use have been shown to affect parameters such as motor coordination, proprioception, and learning. 

Cabral, G.A. (2002) Marijuana and cannabinoid effects in immunity and AIDS, in Biology of Marijuana, E.S. Onaivi, Ed., London Taylor and Francis, pp. 282-307. 

These findings suggest possible roles for AEA signaling via CBRs in modulating sperm production and may account, at least in part, for the adverse effects of marijuana smoke and cannabinoids on sperm production in humans and laboratory animals (Schuel et al., 1999 Schuel et al., 2002a). 

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