How is this
possible?
The endocannabinoid
system (ECS) is defined as a network of lock-and-key chemical receptors that
respond to the “signals” of cannabinoids. Specific receptors found in this
system involve different stimuli within the body, which can further be directed
towards various functions. Focusing on where exactly the ECS is located, the
image projected below can be used to identify specific locations of these
receptors on different body cells.
Image courtesy of: http://the-human-solution.org/education-resources/education/cannabis/the-endocannabinoid-system/
There are two
endogenous cannabinoids, natural chemicals stimulating the endocannabinoid
system: Anandamide and 2-Arachidonyl-glycerol. Cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD,
CBN, CBG and CBC, present in marijuana are used to alter the function of the
ECS through agonistic effects. An agonist is defined as a substance that
initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor. Most studies
focus on the aspects of receptors located in the ECS, called CB1 and CB2. Each
of these receptors signal specific means of regulation of hormones throughout
the body. While doing research on these mechanisms, I found an article
published on the OMICS Group website titled Modulation of the Endogenous
Cannabinoid System as a Therapeutic Target in the Treatment of Mental Health
Disorders. In 2013, Darien Allen, Michael
Shafer, Harrison Stratton and Jie Wu published this article in the Journal of
Biochemistry and Pharmacology. This article gives specific examples of
therapeutic possibilities in affective
disorders; “investigating the ECS could enhance our ability to treat
mental health disorders in the future by providing alternative molecular routes
for modulating serotonin and norepinephrine”. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter
that is derived from tryptophan. It is specifically involved in sleep,
depression, memory and other neurological processes. Norepinephrine is involved
in the "fight or flight" response, which is defined as sudden energy resulting
from stress. This leads us to believe that this type of pharmacotherapy inhibits
the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine may be effective to treat affective
disorders. Evidence of this phenomenon is explained through the reaction of CB1
receptors; “the ECS could be involved in regulating emotional memory and this
may explain why we see antidepressant effects with THC administration”.
Figure caption: The left side of the figure below depicts the molecular structure of of Δ9 -THC, anandamide, and 2-arachadonylglycerol, which are all agonists at cannabinoid receptor binding sites. The complex interaction of many different partial agonists gives cannabinoid receptors their own unique pharmacological profile and makes them more difficult to profile. On the right, a simple depiction showing how CB receptors tend to be located pre synaptically in order to act as retrograde signaling elements with their own form of synaptic plasticity. When an action potential is received potassium is evacuated from the bouton and calcium enters, triggering neurotransmitter release. Neurotransmitter binding on the post synaptic surface then induces the creation of endogenous cannabinoids from precursors found within the plasma membrane. These precursors are enzymatically activated and released into the synaptic cleft.
Table courtesy of: http://omicsgroup.org/journals/2167-0501/2167-0501-S1-008.php
The focus of this study is described to diagnose the functional uses of
cannabinoid (CB) receptor psychopharmacology. The use of this therapy is
significant in people suffering from affective mental disorders, including
Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder and Cyclothymic
Disorder. After further research, techniques for regulating the symptoms these
psychological disorders can be applied in neural science and pharmacotherapy.
Why is this so interesting?
To start
off, I’d like to say these findings are very interesting to me. THC is known to
have psychoactive affects, yet seems to be the main ingredient to have
pharmacological effects on mental disorders. However, other cannabinoids can
play a key role in regulating mental health as well. In 1964, Raphael Mechoulam
changed the world of psychology for his discovery of the ECS. Mechoulam founded
this system by studying a specific extract of the marijuana flower, THC. Now we
can use his advancements as well as new concepts and theories to test the
effects of medical marijuana in treating psychological disorders.
Resources:
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=agonist+definition&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl
http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_norepinephri.htm
