What is the mechanism of action of cannabinoids?

What is the mechanism of action of cannabinoids?

Mechanism of Action Cannabinoids function by stimulating two receptors, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) within the endocannabinoid system. This system is a complex network of organs throughout the body, expressing the cannabinoid receptors and plays a homeostatic role.

Are synthetic cannabinoids full agonists?

Synthetic compounds found in commercial products An efficacy equivalent (100%) to that of CP indicates full agonist effects at the CB1 receptor.

How is synthetic cannabinoids metabolized in the body?

In general, novel SCs are extensively metabolized primarily by human liver enzymes. Metabolites are mainly excreted in human urine, with parent SCs rarely detected in urine. Parent SC are detected in human blood and/or oral fluid if the sample is collected as close as possible to the time of intake.

What are synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists?

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), termed “Spice” or “K2”, are molecules that emulate the effects of the active ingredient of marijuana, and they have gained enormous popularity over the past decade.

What are CB1 and CB2 receptors?

CB1 receptors are located in the brain and throughout the body, while CB2 receptors are found mostly in the immune and gastrointestinal system; although CB2 receptors are also found in the brain, they are not expressed quite as densely as CB1 receptors.

What are the effects of cannabinoids?

In humans, psychoactive cannabinoids produce euphoria, enhancement of sensory perception, tachycardia, antinociception, difficulties in concentration and impairment of memory. The cognitive deficiencies seem to persist after withdrawal.

What chemicals are used in synthetic cannabinoids?

The synthetic cannabinoids fall into seven major structural groups:

• Naphthoylindoles (e.g. JWH-018, JWH-073 and JWH-398).
• Naphthylmethylindoles.
• Naphthoylpyrroles.
• Naphthylmethylindenes.
• Phenylacetylindoles (i.e. benzoylindoles, e.g. JWH-250).
• Cyclohexylphenols (e.g. CP 47,497 and homologues of CP 47,497).

What is the half life of synthetic cannabinoids?

During the elimination phase (median half-life 1.69 hours), detection of the drug over 6-12 hours (median 8 hours) after inhalation was achieved (0.024 ng/mL limit of quantification).

How many cannabinoids are identified?

How many cannabinoids are there? Besides THC and CBD, more than 100 other cannabinoids have been identified.

Does CBG bind to CB1 or CB2?

Cannabigerol (CBG) binds CB1 and CB2, but functions as a competitive antagonist for the CB1. This compound also functions as an agonist for the α2 adrenoceptor (Cascio, Gauson, Stevenson, Ross, & Pertwee, 2010).

What receptors do cannabinoids bind to?

Scientists have identified the two primary cannabinoid receptors which are CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptor is found in the brain and nervous system and is the main receptor for THC and anandamide.

What are the side effects of synthetic cannabinoids?

There is no specific toxidrome associated with synthetic cannabinoid exposure. Clinical effects are variable. The most common clinical effects are tachycardia, hypertension, agitation/irritability, drowsiness/lethargy, confusion, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations and chest pain.

What are the mechanisms of action of cannabinoids?

The mechanisms underlying the analgesic effects of cannabinoids likely include inhibition of presynaptic neurotransmitter and neuropeptide release, modulation of postsynaptic neuronal excitability, activation of the descending inhibitory pain pathway, and reductions in neuroinflammatory signaling.

Are there any synthetic cannabinoids that bind to THC receptors?

Synthetic cannabinoids are receptor agonists that bind to the same endogenous cannabinoid receptors as THC, Cannabinoid 1 and Cannabinoid 2 (CB1/CB2). JWH-018 is one of the earliest and best characterized compound.

What was the original purpose of synthetic cannabinoids?

Synthetic cannabinoid (SC) compounds were originally developed to study the pharmacology of cannabinoid receptors. However in recent years, they have emerged as drugs of abuse.