Review

Abuse of Cannabinoids

Volume: 17 Number: 4 December 20, 2017
EN TR

Abuse of Cannabinoids

Abstract

Cannabis sativa, also known as Indian hemp or cannabis, which has been used for centuries for therapeutic and pleasure purposes, contains compounds called cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol which has psychoactive effect is the key component of this plant. Cannabis (marijuana), which has sedative, cognitive dysfunction, short-term memory impairment, deterioration in time perception effects has been widely used for many years as a drug and pleasurable substance. In recent years, synthetic cannabinoids produced in the laboratory have been used increasingly. These highly potent addictive compounds have been synthesized under the name "JWH substances" in the 1990s by John William Huffman et al. Nowadays, known as substances such as "Bonzai, Spice, K2 Jamaican Gold" are obtained by dissolving synthetic cannabinoids in a solvent and by spraying them on various herbal mixtures. These substances are marketed in the form of cigarettes, pipes or tea and cause serious incidents resulting in poisoning or death. Cannabinoids are also found endogenously in the human body and play a role in the regulation of various physiological events such as the immune system, appetite, pain, pleasure, mood and memory. Endogenous cannabinoids are arachidonic acid metabolism products. Endogenous cannabinoids such as 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (arachidonyl ethanolamide) act by binding to cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).
Cannabinoids are not only used abusively, but also for the treatment of various diseases or alleviation of symptoms. Today, there are FDA-approved cannabinoid analogues to reduce nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy, to increase appetite in AIDS patients, and to aid in
the treatment of chronic pain. There are also studies showing that regulation of the cannabinoid system may be beneficial in neurodegenerative diseases, postmenopausal osteoporosis, cancer, obesity, diabetes, liver diseases, cardiometabolic complications and alcohol-drug addiction.

Keywords

References

  1. 1. Drummer O, Odell M. The Forensic Pharmacology Of Drugs Of Abuse. 1. Baskı London-Great Britain: Arnold; 2001.
  2. 2. Agar E. The role of cannabinoids and leptin in neurological diseases. Acta Neurol Scand 2015;132:371-80.
  3. 3. Hollister LE. Health aspects of cannabis. Pharmacol Rev 1986;38:1-20.
  4. 4. Pertwee RG. Pharmacology of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Pharmacol Ther 1997;74:129-80.
  5. 5. Gaoni Y, Mechoulam R. Isolation, structure and partial synthesis of an active constituent of hashish. J Am Chem Soc 1964;86:1646-7.
  6. 6. Howlett AC, Barth F, Bonner TI et al. International Union of Pharmacology XXVII. Classification of cannabinoid receptors. Pharmacol Rev 2002;54:161-202.
  7. 7. Ameri A. The effects of cannabinoids on the brain. Prog Neurobiol 1999;58:315-48.
  8. 8. Hirst RA, Lambert DG, Notcutt WG. Pharmacology and potential therapeutic uses of cannabis. Br J Anaesth 1998;81:77-84.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

December 20, 2017

Submission Date

November 3, 2017

Acceptance Date

November 24, 2017

Published in Issue

Year 2017 Volume: 17 Number: 4

APA
Kara, H. (2017). Abuse of Cannabinoids. Ankara Medical Journal, 17(4), 293-299. https://doi.org/10.17098/amj.364169
AMA
1.Kara H. Abuse of Cannabinoids. Ankara Med J. 2017;17(4):293-299. doi:10.17098/amj.364169
Chicago
Kara, Halil. 2017. “Abuse of Cannabinoids”. Ankara Medical Journal 17 (4): 293-99. https://doi.org/10.17098/amj.364169.
EndNote
Kara H (December 1, 2017) Abuse of Cannabinoids. Ankara Medical Journal 17 4 293–299.
IEEE
[1]H. Kara, “Abuse of Cannabinoids”, Ankara Med J, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 293–299, Dec. 2017, doi: 10.17098/amj.364169.
ISNAD
Kara, Halil. “Abuse of Cannabinoids”. Ankara Medical Journal 17/4 (December 1, 2017): 293-299. https://doi.org/10.17098/amj.364169.
JAMA
1.Kara H. Abuse of Cannabinoids. Ankara Med J. 2017;17:293–299.
MLA
Kara, Halil. “Abuse of Cannabinoids”. Ankara Medical Journal, vol. 17, no. 4, Dec. 2017, pp. 293-9, doi:10.17098/amj.364169.
Vancouver
1.Halil Kara. Abuse of Cannabinoids. Ankara Med J. 2017 Dec. 1;17(4):293-9. doi:10.17098/amj.364169