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
Kaynakça
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Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Sağlık Kurumları Yönetimi
Bölüm
Derleme
Yazarlar
Yayımlanma Tarihi
20 Aralık 2017
Gönderilme Tarihi
3 Kasım 2017
Kabul Tarihi
24 Kasım 2017
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2017 Cilt: 17 Sayı: 4