The Pharmacology of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The Science of Marijuana 2019 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190846848.003.0002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | The chapter traces the discovery of THC as cannabis's psychoactive substance and of the CB-1 and CB-2 cannabinoid receptors, describing how cannabinoids act at these receptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release. It also reviews ingestion methods such as smoking and vaping and discusses synthetic receptor agonists and antagonists, including the proliferation of synthetic agonists as novel psychoactive agents. |
Abstract
Abstract The 19th century was a great era for plant chemistry. Many complex drug molecules, known as alkaloids, were isolated and identified from plants. This chapter discusses the history of the discovery of delta-9-tetrahyrocannabinol (THC) as the psychoactive substance in cannabis products and also the discovery of the cannabinoid receptors CB-1 and CB-2 in the body and brain. The mechanism of action of cannabinoids on such receptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release or other actions is also discussed. In addition, various methods for the ingestion of cannabis, such as smoking and vaping, are reviewed. Synthetic agonists and antagonists at cannabinoid receptors and the proliferation of synthetic agonists as novel psychoactive agents are also discussed.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- Traditional marijuana, high‐potency cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids: increasing risk for psychosis World Psychiatry September 22, 2016
- Novel psychoactive substances of interest for psychiatry World Psychiatry February 1, 2016
- Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning The British Journal of Psychiatry May 31, 2011
- Acute and chronic effects of cannabinoids on effort-related decision-making and reward learning: an evaluation of the cannabis ‘amotivational’ hypotheses Psychopharmacology September 2, 2016
- Cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction Indian Journal of Psychiatry 2011
and 12 more in the library