Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids (/kəˈnæbɪnɔɪdz/) are a class of diverse chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. These include the endocannabinoids (produced naturally in the body by humans and animals), the phytocannabinoids (found in cannabis and some other plants), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured artificially).
Etymology
The term "cannabinoid" comes from "cannabis," and refers to a group of compounds that are structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or that bind to cannabinoid receptors.
Types of Cannabinoids
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are substances produced from within the body that activate cannabinoid receptors. After the discovery of the first cannabinoid receptor in 1988, scientists began searching for an endogenous ligand for the receptor.
Phytocannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. The classical cannabinoids are formed through decarboxylation of their respective 2-carboxylic acids (2-COOH), a process which is catalyzed by heat, light or alkaline conditions.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are a class of molecules that bind to the same receptors to which cannabinoids (THC and CBD) in cannabis plants attach. They are designer drugs, commonly sprayed onto plant matter and are usually smoked, although they have also been ingested as a concentrated liquid form in the US and UK.
Related Terms
- Cannabis - A genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Cannabis is native to Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - The principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) - A phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of some 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cannabinoids
- Wikipedia's article - Cannabinoids
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