The Active Components Of Marijuana And Recreational...

Introduction For centuries, the active components (i.e. cannabinoids) of Cannabis sativa (the â€Å"marijuana† plant) have been used for medicinal and recreational purposes, primarily due to their ability to regulate various neurobehavioral processes such as memory and cognition, mood, appetite, and sleep [1]. Cannabinoids are highly lipophilic molecules and can be classified as either exogenous, those extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant or synthetically made in the laboratory, or endogenous (Figure 1). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most studied exogenous cannabinoids. Δ9-THC, which was isolated in 1964, is the major psychoactive and immunoregulatory component in marijuana and has a characteristic of being immunosuppressive on immune cells at peripheral sites and within the central nervous system (CNS). There have also been synthetic exogenous cannabinoids widely used in research that include CP55940, WIN552 12-2, SR141716A, and SR144528. Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) are found natively in vertebrate systems. Cannabinoid pharmacological research has expanded since the cloning of the two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2 [2], and more research is sure to come with the new push for legalizing marijuana in the U.S. Both cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which are each a single polypeptide chain with seven transmembrane ÃŽ ±-helices, a glycosylated amino-terminus and anShow MoreRelatedLegalization Of Marijuana For The United States1416 Words   |  6 Pages The use of recreational marijuana is illegal in the United States. Although cannabinoids--the active compounds in marijuana may have the potential to help manage certain symptoms. 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