BIOLOGY PROJECT

Project title:
EFFECT OF CANNABIS ON HUMAN BODY

Project submitted by
S.Thuhina hansini
CLASS 11TH
ALLEN PCB-1
PAAVAI CBSE VIDYASHARAM

1
 INDEX
Page no
Introduction 3
Cannabiniods and Cannabinoid Receptors 4
Biochemical Mechanisms in the Brain 5

Toxicity 6

Phychoactive effects 7

Somatic effects 8

Neurological effects 8

Long term effects of Cannabis 9

Acute Psychosis 9

Chronic psychosis 9

Schizophrenia 9

Depressive disorder 10

Cancer 10

Respiratory effects 11

Reproductive and endocrine effects 11

Conclusion 11

2
 EFFECT OF CANNABIS ON HUMAN BODY
Introduction:
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, and by numerous other names,
is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a
psychoactive or drug and as medicine. Pharmacologically, the
principal psychoactive constituent of Cannabis is
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); It is one of 483 known compounds in
the plant, including at least 84 other cannabinoids, such as
cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV),
and cannabigerol (CBG).

The effects of cannabisare caused by chemical compounds in

cannabis, including cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). Cannabis has both psychological and physiological effects on
the human body. Five European Countries, Canada, and twenty US
states have legalized medical cannabis if prescribed for nausea, pain
or the alleviation of symptoms surrounding chronic illness. Cannabis
use is associated with social and behavioral problems, and carriesa
risk to physical and mental health.
These effects caused by cannabis on different parts of the human
body are looked into in this project.

3
Cannabiniods and Cannabinoid Receptors:
The most notably prevalent psychoactive substances in cannabis are
cannabinoids, most notably THC.Cannabinoid receptors, located
throughout the body, are part of the endocannabinoid system, which
is involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite,
pain-sensation, mood, and memory. The cannabinoid receptor is a
typical member of the largest known family of receptors called a G
protein-coupled receptor. A signature of this type or receptor is the
distinct pattern of how the receptor molecules spans the cell
membrane seven times.

The location of the cannabinoid receptor exists on the cell

membrane and both outside (extracellularly) and inside
(intracellularly) the cell membrane. CB1 receptors, the bigger of the
two, are extraordinarily abundant in the brain. CB2 receptors are
structurally different, found only on cells of the immune system, and
seem to function similarly to its CB1 counterpart. CB2 receptors are
mostcommonly prevalent on B-cells, natural killer cells, and
monocytes, but can also be found on
polymorphonuclearneutrophilcells, T8 cells and T4 cells. In the
tonsils, the CB2 receptors appear to appear to be restricted to B-
lymphocyte-enriched areas. THC andendogenousanandamide
additionally interact with glycine receptors.
Biochemical Mechanisms in the Brain
Cannabinoids usually contain a 1,1'-di-methyl-pyran ring,
constituting a family of about 60 bi-cyclic and tri-cyclic compounds.
Like most other neurological processes, the effects of cannabis on
the brain follow the standard protocol of signal transduction, the

4
electrochemical system of sending signals through neurons for a
biological response. The binding of cannabinoids to cannabinoid
receptors decrease adenylyl cyclase activity, inhibit calcium N
channels, and disinhibit K+A channels. There are at least two types of
cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).

The CB1 receptor is found primarily in the brain and mediates the
psychological effects of THC. The CB2 receptor is most abundantly
found on cells of the immune system. Cannabinoids act as
immunomodulators at CB2 receptors, meaning they increase some
immune responses and decrease others. For example,
nonpsychotropic cannabinoids can be used as a very effective anti-
inflammatory. The affinity of cannabinoids to bind to either receptor
is about the same, with only a slight increase observed with the
plant-derived compound CBD binding to CB2 receptors more
frequently. Cannabinoids likely have a role in the brains control of
movement and memory, as well as natural pain modulation. It is
clear that cannabinoids can affect pain transmission and, specifically,
that cannabinoids interact with the brain's endogenous opioid
system and may affect dopamine transmission.This is an important
physiological pathway for the medical treatment of pain.
Toxicity
No fatal overdoses with cannabis use have been reported as of .THC,
the principal psychoactive constituent of the cannabis plant, has an
extremely low toxicity and the amount that can enter the body

5
through the consumption of cannabis plants poses no threat of
death. The ratio of cannabis material required to produce a fatal
overdose to the amount required to saturate cannabinoid receptors
and cause intoxication is approximately 40,000:1.It was found in
2007 that while tobacco and cannabis smoke are quite similar,
cannabis smoke contained higher amounts of ammonia, hydrogen
cyanide, and nitrogen oxides, but lower levels of carcinogenic
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Cannabis smoke contains thousands of organic and inorganic

chemical compounds. Over fifty knowncarcinogens have been
identified in cannabis smoke. These include nitrosamines, reactive
aldehydes, and polycyclic hydrocarbons, including benz[a]pyrene.
Marijuana smoke was listed as a cancer agent in California in 2009.A
study identifies cannabis smoke as a carcinogen and also finds
awareness of the danger is low compared with the high awareness of
the dangers of smoking tobacco particularly among younger users.
Other observations include possible increased risk from each
cigarette; lack of research on the effect of cannabis smoke alone; low
rate of addiction compared to tobacco; and episodic nature of
cannabis use compared to steady frequent smoking of tobacco.

6
Psychoactive Effects
When THC enters the blood stream and reaches the brain, it binds to
cannabinoid receptors. The endogenous ligand of these receptors is
anandamide, the effects of which THC emulates. Thisagonism of the
cannabinoid receptors results in changes in the levels of various
neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and norepinephrine;
neurotransmitters which are closely associated with the acute effects
of cannabis ingestion, such as euphoria and anxiety.
Some effects may include a general perception, euphoria, feelings of
well-being, relaxation or stress reduction, increased appreciation of
humor, music (especially discerning its various
components/instruments) or the arts, joviality, metacognition and
introspection, enhanced recollection (episodic memory), increased
sensuality, increased awareness of sensation
. Abstract or philosophical thinking, disruption of linear memory and
paranoia or anxiety are also typical. Anxiety is the most commonly
reported side effect of smoking marijuana. Between 20 and 30
percent of recreational users experience intense anxiety and/or
panic attacks after smoking cannabis, however, some report anxiety
only after not smoking cannabis for a prolonged period of time.
Cannabis also produces many subjective and highly tangible effects,
such as greater enjoyment of food taste and aroma, an enhanced
enjoyment of music and comedy, and marked distortions in the
perception of time and space (where experiencing a "rush" of ideas
from the bank of long-term memory can create the subjective
impression of long elapsed time, while a clock reveals that only a
short time has passed).
At higher doses, effects can include altered body image, auditory
and/or visual illusions, pseudo-hallucinatory, and ataxia from
selective impairment of polysynaptic reflexes. In some cases,
cannabis can lead to dissociative states such as depersonalizationand
derealisation; such effects are most often considered desirable, but
have the potential to induce panic attacks and paranoia in some
unaccustomed users.
7
Somatic Effects
Some of the short-term physical effects of cannabis use include
increased heart rate, dry mouth, reddening of the eyes (congestion
of the conjunctival blood vessels), a reduction in intra-ocular
pressure, muscle relaxation and a sensation of cold or hot hands and
feet.
Neurological Effects
The areas of the brain where cannabinoid receptors are most
prevalently located are consistent with the behavioural effects
produced by cannabinoids. Brain regions in which cannabinoid
receptors are very abundant are the basal ganglia, associated with
movement control; the cerebellum, associated with body movement
coordination; the hippocampus, associated with learning, memory,
and stress control; the cerebral cortex, associated with higher
cognitive functions; and the nucleus accumbens, regarded as the
reward center of the brain. Other regions where cannabinoid
receptors are moderately concentrated are the hypothalamus, which
regulates homeostatic functions; the amygdala, associated with
emotional responses and fears; the spinal cord, associated with
peripheral sensations like pain; the brain stem, associated with sleep,
arousal, and motor control; and the nucleus of the solitary tract,
associated with visceral sensations like nausea and vomiting.
Experiments on animal and human tissue have demonstrated a
disruption of short-term memory formation, which is consistent with
the abundance of CB1 receptors on the hippocampus, the region of
the brain most closely associated with memory. Cannabinoids inhibit
the release of several neurotransmitters in the hippocampus such as
acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and glutamate, resulting in a major
decrease in neuronal activity in that region. This decrease in activity
resembles a "temporary hippocampal lesion."
In in-vitro experiments THC at extremely high concentrations, which
could not be reached with commonly consumed doses, caused
competitive inhibition of the AChE enzyme and inhibition of -
amyloid peptide aggregation, implicated in the development of
8
Alzheimer's disease. Compared to currently approved drugs
prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a
considerably superior inhibitor of A aggregation, and this study
provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through
which cannabinoid molecules may impact the progression of this
debilitating disease.

Long-Term Effects of Cannabis

Acute psychosis

Although there has been an association noted between cases of

acute psychosis and long-term cannabis use, the precise nature of
the relationship is controversial; evidence suggests that cannabis use
may worsen psychotic symptoms and increase the riskof relapse.
Chronic psychosis

According to one review, long term cannabis use "increases the risk
of psychosis in people with certain genetic or environmental
vulnerabilities", but does not cause psychosis. Important
predisposing factors include genetic liability, childhood trauma and
urban upbringing.[7] A second review concluded that cannabis use
may cause permanent psychological disorders in some users such as
cognitive impairment, anxiety, paranoia, and increased risks of
psychosis. Key predisposing variables include age of first exposure,
frequency of use, the potency of the cannabis used, and individual
susceptibility.
Schizophrenia
Among people with schizophrenia there is insufficient evidence to
determine whether cannabis use leads to improvement or
deterioration of the condition, but patients who use cannabis have
been found to display increased cognitive performance compared to
non-users.
Use of cannabis in adolescence or earlier increases the risk of
developing schizoaffective disorders in adult life, although the

9
proportion of these cases is small. Susceptibility is most often found
in users with at least one copy of the polymorphic COMT gene.
Cannabis with a high THC to CBD ratio produces a higher incidence of
psychological effects. CBD may show antipsychotic and
neuroprotective properties, acting as an antagonist to some of the
effects of THC. Studies examining this effect have used high ratios of
CBD to THC, and it is unclear to what extent these laboratory studies
translate to the types of cannabis used by real life users.Research has
shown that CBD can safely prevent psychosis in general.
Depressive disorder
Less attention has been given to the association between cannabis
use and depression, though according to the Australian National
Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, it is possible this is because
cannabis users who have depression are less likely to access
treatment than those with psychosis.
Teenage cannabis users show no difference from the general
population in incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD), but an
association exists between early exposure coupled with continued
use into adult life and increased incidence of MDD in adulthood.
Among cannabis users of all ages, there may be an increased risk of
developing depression, with heavy users seemingly having a higher
risk.
Cancer
According to a 2013 literature review, marijuana could be
carcinogenic, but there are methodological limitations in studies
making it difficult to establish a link between marijuana use and
cancer risk. The authors say that bladder cancer does seem to be
linked to habitual marijuana use, and that there may be a risk for
cancers of the head and neck among long-term (more than 20 years)
users. Gordon and colleagues said, "there does appear to be an
increased risk of cancer (particularly head and neck, lung, and
bladder cancer) for those who use marijuana over a period of time,
although what length of time that this risk increases is uncertain."

10
Respiratory effects
A 2013 literature review by Gordon and colleagues concluded that
inhaled marijuana is associated with lung disease. Of the various
methods of cannabis consumption, smoking is considered the most
harmful; the inhalation of smoke from organic materials can cause
various health problems (e.g., coughing and sputum). Isoprenes help
to modulate and slow down reaction rates, contributing to the
significantly differing qualities of partial combustion products from
various sources.
Reproductive and endocrine effects
Cannabis consumption in pregnancy is associated with restrictions in
growth of the fetus, miscarriage, and cognitive deficits in offspring.
Although the majority of research has concentrated on the adverse
effects of alcohol, there is now evidence that prenatal exposure to
cannabis has serious effects on the developing brain and is
associated with "deficits in language, attention, areas of cognitive
performance, and delinquent behavior in adolescence".A report
prepared for the Australian National Council on Drugsconcluded
cannabis and other cannabinoids are contraindicated in pregnancy as
it may interact with the endocannabinoid system
CONCLUSION:
Medical cannabis has several potential beneficial effects. Evidence is
moderate that it helps in chronic pain and muscles spasms. Lesser
evidence supports its use to help with nausea during chemotherapy,
improve appetite in those with HIV/AIDS and also help with sleep.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that cannabis is
unlikely to be useful as medicine as "(1) it is an unpurified plant
containing numerous chemicals with unknown health effects; (2) it is
typically consumed by smoking further contributing to potential
adverse effects; and (3) its cognitive impairing effects may limit its
utility."

11