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The Truth
about Weed
Nia Forbes
Samuel Joseph
Outline
Normal Brain
Function
 Cellular
Level
 Tissue Level
 Organ Level
 Body Overall
Brain Function, under
THC Influence
 Cellular
Level
 Tissue Level
 Organ Level
 Body Overall
Disclaimer
As scientists, our job is present facts. These
facts are non-biased, genuine truths about
the effects of the neurochemicals in
marijuana. We do not represent CopleyFairlawn City Schools, nor do we condone
the illegal recreational use of marijuana.
The Human Brain
Need-to-Know Vocabulary
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Axon – a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that
typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell
body
Pons – a structure located on the brain stem that conduct signals
from the cerebrum down to the cerebellum and medulla, and
tracts that carry the sensory signals up into the thalamus
Synapse - a structure that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass
an electrical or chemical signal to another cell
Neuron – an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits
information through electrical and chemical signals
receptor antagonist - a type of receptor ligand that does not
provoke a biological response upon binding to a receptor, but
blocks or dampens agonist-mediated responses
Agonist - a chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers
a response by that cell
Two Neurons to Rub Together
The Central Nervous System
As the communication
and decision center,
your brain’s maintained
health is essential to
your daily survival.
Three parts make up
the brain:
1.
Forebrain
2.
Midbrain
3.
Hindbrain
Forebrain
Cerebrum
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Cerebrum
Cerebrum, in detail
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Frontal Lobe- associated with reasoning, planning,
parts of speech, movement, emotions, and
problem solving
Parietal Lobe- associated with movement,
orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli
Occipital Lobe- associated with visual processing
Temporal Lobe- associated with perception and
recognition of auditory stimuli, memory, and
speech
The bulk of the cerebrum is made of the
neocortex, a six-layered structure associated with
higher mammals.
Cerebellum (little brain)
 associated
with regulation and coordination
of movement, posture, and balance
Limbic System (emotional
brain)
emotion, behavior, motivation, long-term
memory, and olfaction (sense of smell)
a
large mass of gray
matter deeply situated
in the forebrain at the
topmost portion of the
diencephalon
 sensory and motor
functions
Limbic System: Thalamus
Limbic System: Hypothalamus
 involved
including
homeostasis,
emotion, thirst,
hunger, circadian
rhythms, and
control of the
autonomic nervous
system. In addition,
it controls the
pituitary.
Limbic System: Amygdala
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almond-shaped
groups of nuclei
located deep within
the medial temporal
lobes of the brain
primary role in the
processing of
memory and
emotional reactions
Limbic System: Hippocampus
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important in the
consolidation of
information from
short-term memory
to long-term memory
and spatial
navigation
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In Alzheimer's
disease, the
hippocampus is one
of the first regions of
the brain to suffer
damage
Midbrain
a region of the brain,
specifically
the dorsal part
Tectum
of the mesencephalon
a multi-synaptic network of
neurons that is involved in many
Tegmentum
unconscious
homeostatic and
reflexive pathways
Hindbrain, or Brain Stem
a portion of the central nervous system associated with
vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal
(alertness), and temperature regulation
The Effects of
Marijuana
Cannabinoid Receptors
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Cannabinoid
receptor type 1
Can be found
everywhere in the
brain except the
brain stem
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Will not effect
breathing or
heartbeat
Responsible for the
euphoria
Cannabinoid
receptor type 2
 Found
mainly in the
immune system
(spleen)
 Responsible for
anti-inflammatory
and therapeutic
actions
5-HT1A receptor
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a G-coupled protein receptor that binds to serotonin
Activation of this receptor has been shown to have
the following effects:
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Decreases blood pressure
Decreased aggression
Increased sociability
Decreased impulsivity
Inhibition of drug-seeking behavior
Facilitation of sex drive and arousal
Inhibition of penile erection
Diminished food intake
Prolongation of REM sleep latency
Reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor
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A G-coupled protein receptor that binds to
norepinephrine and epinephrine
Activation of this receptor may result in:
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Vasoconstriction of arteries
Vasoconstriction of coronary artery
Constriction of some vascular smooth muscle
Venoconstriction of veins
Decreased motility of smooth muscle in
gastrointestinal tract
Inhibition of lipolysis
What is Marijuana?
a
dry, shredded mix of flowers, stems,
seeds and leaves of the hemp plant
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis-derived
cannabinoids
 Tetrahydrocannabinol
 Cannabidiol
(THC)
(CBD)
 Cannabinol (CBN)
 Cannabichromene (CBC)
 Cannabigerol (CBG)
 Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
 the
primary psychoactive component of the
Cannabis plant
How THC Works
 By
mimicking
anandamide, a
pleasure-inducer in the
CNS, THC activates the
CB1 and CB2 receptors
in the brain.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol (CBD)
 Not
psychoactive
 Higher concentrations in cannabis
consumption is proven to prevent
schizophrenia
 Anti-depressant, anxiolytic,
neuroprotective
 relieve convulsion, inflammation, anxiety,
and nausea
 Higher affinity for CB2
Cannabinol (CBN)
 By-product
of THC decomposition
 Higher affinity for CB2
References
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http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/Stru
cture1.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/161990
61
http://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interi
m/2009_2010/Children_Family/EmergingIssue/mmga-presentation-plant-chemistry.pdf
montanabiotech.com/cannabinoid-factsthc-cbd-cbn-cbc-thcv-cbg/