Psychopharmacology: Cannabinoids and Marijuana

Flashcards covering critical terms and definitions related to Cannabinoids and Psychopharmacology for exam preparation.

Cannabinoids

Chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in the body.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how drugs move through the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the effects of drugs and their mechanism of action in the body.

Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

The principal psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

A non-psychoactive compound in cannabis known for its potential medicinal benefits.

Cannabinol (CBN)

A cannabinoid that is mildly psychoactive and may have sedative effects.

Endocannabinoids

Naturally occurring compounds in the body that bind to cannabinoid receptors.

CB1 receptors

Cannabinoid receptors primarily located in the central nervous system.

CB2 receptors

Cannabinoid receptors mostly found in the peripheral nervous system.

Sativa

One of the primary strains of cannabis known for its uplifting effects.

Indica

A strain of cannabis typically associated with calming effects.

Ruderalis

A strain of cannabis that is low in psychoactive compounds and used primarily in breeding.

Arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA)

Another name for anandamide, a key endocannabinoid.

2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)

An endocannabinoid that binds with higher efficacy to cannabinoid receptors.

Neuroadaptations

Changes in the brain's structure or function in response to prolonged drug use.

Tolerance

A state where increased doses of a drug are needed to achieve the same effect.

Dependence

A condition where an individual relies on a substance to function normally.

Addiction

A chronic disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.

Pharmacokinetic half-life

The time required for the concentration of a drug to reduce to half its initial value.

First-pass metabolism

The initial metabolism of a drug when it is absorbed and passes through the liver.

Clinical observations of marijuana use

Reported effects of marijuana, including altered thinking and attention deficits.

The munchies

Increased appetite often reported as a side effect of cannabis use.

Euphoria

A feeling of intense happiness or pleasure often experienced when using THC.

Neurotransmitters (NT's)

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Behavioral tolerance

A condition where environmental cues become associated with drug use and alter behavior.

Pharmacodynamic tolerance

Tolerance resulting from changes in receptor activity or expression due to drug use.

Withdrawal symptoms

Physical and mental symptoms experienced after stopping the use of a drug.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression, sometimes used in cannabis dependence treatment.

Mood stabilizers

Medications that help regulate mood, used in some treatment plans for dependence.

Chronic marijuana use studies

Research examining long-term effects of marijuana on brain structure and function.

Epidemiological studies

Studies that assess the patterns and effects of drug use in populations.

Schedule I drugs

A classification under the Controlled Substances Act indicating high potential for abuse.

Cannabis-induced cognitive impairment

Negative effects on cognition linked to THC and marijuana use.

Response to drug administration

The observed effects following the introduction of a drug into the system.

CB2 agonists

Compounds that activate CB2 receptors, often with anti-inflammatory effects.

Hippocampus

A brain region involved in memory and learning, affected by cannabis.

Anterior cingulate cortex

A brain region implicated in emotion regulation, affected by cannabis.