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Marijuana and its Effects. Grant O’ Connor Melanie Passons Stephanie Blackman Jaclyn Beulen Michael Hudson. How Marijuana Works. Marijuana mimics the actions of anandamide Marijuana contains cannabinoids such as THC receptors are activated by a neurotransmitter called anandamide
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Marijuana and its Effects Grant O’ Connor Melanie Passons Stephanie Blackman Jaclyn Beulen Michael Hudson
How Marijuana Works • Marijuana mimics the actions of anandamide • Marijuana contains cannabinoids such as THC • receptors are activated by a neurotransmitter called anandamide • It binds to cannabinoid receptor sites and activates these neurons
Parts of the Brain Affected • Hippocampus, important in short-term memory • Marijuana binds to receptors in the hippocampus and interferes with short-term memory recollection • Basal ganglia, controls unconscious muscle movements • Cerebellum, important in coordination
THC • THC affects the production and reuptake of various neurotransmitters • Alters the way in which sensory information is interpreted • Affects the ability to process new information and retain memory • Also decreases the activity of nerve cells
Long-Term Memory Cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory perception, and coordinated movement. • The part of the brain that handles reflexive types of memories is the cerebellum.
Long-Term Memory • The Hippocampus is essential to convert short-term memories into long-term memories.
Long-Term Memory • Marijuana interferes with learning ability. • School • Retaining information learned in class. • Grades
Short Term Memory • Marijuana effects the way in which the hippocampus processes information • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main component of marijuana that harms the neurons in the hippocampus. • THC causes the nerves in the brain to behave differently than they normally would. • All of this causes a reduce in short term memory
Short Term Effects • Difficulty learning • Impaired judgment • Feelings of paranoia • Increased heart rate • Potential cardiac problems • Bloodshot eyes • Intense anxiety • Increased susceptibility of infections • Impaired driving skills
Motor Skills • Slows down the ability to react, and interferes with the proper working of muscles
Motoring • In high doses, marijuana probably produces driving impairment in most people • “Dose-related impairment was observed in drivers' ability to maintain steady lateral position. However, even with the highest dose of THC, impairment was relatively minor” pdxnorml.org
Multiple Medical Benefits • Relief for neuropathic pain(pain from nerve damage) • Appetite stimulant • Treatment of Glaucoma • Treatment of Spasticity(when certain muscles are actively contracting regularly)
Pain Relief • In Multiple Sclerosis patients, marijuana has been proved to reduce pain, depression and fatigue. • Rheumatoid Artritis patients have found to slow down and ease the pain associated with stiffness/pain of limbs. • “In January 2006, investigators at the British Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Disease reported successful treatment of arthritis with cannabinoids in the first-ever controlled trial assessing the efficacy of natural cannabis extracts on RA” -Blake et al. 2006. Preliminary assessment of the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a cannabis medicine (Sativex) in the treatment of pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology 45: 50-52.
Works Referenced • http://sulcus.berkeley.edu/mcb/165_001/papers/manuscripts/_ • http://www.onlinepot.org/medical/potmemory.htm • http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html • http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/marijuana-brain.gif • http://www.graduateschool.uwm.edu/research/features/snapshots/james-cook/hippocampus-l.jpg • http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/18/14/5322?maxtoshow • http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health • http://www.effects-of-marijuana.com/short-term-effects-of-marijuana.com.html • http://www.pdxnorml.org/Exposing_12_1095.html • http://www.amsa.org/resource/natlinit/marijuana.cfm