What role do endocannabinoids play?

Roles of endocannabinoids

Cannabinoids refers to a group of substances which are associated with tetrahydrocannabinol or THC . Endocannabinoids on the other hand are endogenous metabolites capable of activating the cannabinoid receptors

It was in 1992 when the first endogenous cannabinoid was identified Called AEA it is also known as anandamide . Right after , the second endocannabinoid , 2-arachidonoyl glycerol also called 2-AG , was discovered . Although there are stark differences between their affinities and activation efficacies , these two compounds are both derivatives of arachidonic acid and both can bind to CB1 and CB2

receptors . During the last few years , there are other bioactive lipid mediators identified . They come out acting , at least in part , through CB1 and /or CB2 receptors and give exact pharmacological effects in vivo These particular compounds are 2-arachidonoyl-glyceryl-ether (noladin ether , O-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (virodhamine N-arachidonoyl-dopamine , and possibly even oleamide . But further investigation is still needed about the endogenous functions these latter compounds play in physiological processes

There are yet other putative lipid mediators which could probably have cannabimimetic actions . However , their precise mechanism of action is not identified in detail . Their cannabimimetic effects may be partly associated to interference with the endocannabinoid-inactivating enzymes . This happens in some instances . It is expected that the lipids would be able to improve the activity of cannabinoid receptors by increasing the concentration of the endocannabinoids such as AEA and /or 2-AG (Pagotto et . al , 2005 pp . 2-8

Cannabinoids come from cannabis , a green plant that grows in different tropical countries in the world . Its most generally used parts are the leaves and the flowering top . With this importance , cannabis is cultivated both indoor and outdoor . The flowering top of it can be used smoked or eaten . This plant produces concentrated resinous which is called hashish and sultry black liquid called hash oil . Cannabis are divided into three species namely sativa , indica , and rudelis . There are arguments though if this should be called varieties rather than species The product of interbreeding these three groups is the most recreationally used cannabis . Low variety of cannabis is called hemp which is used for industrial purposes (Erowid 2007 pp . 1

Tetrahydrocannabinol , or THC , the constituent that causes the 'high ' was revealed in 1960s . A component of the cannabis plant , THC was found out to be binding the periphery and specific receptors in the brain after two decades . This interaction set off to different biological processes also known as marijuana process (Mechoulam , 2007 pp .1

Cannabis is also known as marijuana which is considered one of the most illegal drugs but frequently used in Europe . It started to become famous during the 1990s , particularly to young people including the school students . This is popular among 14 to 24 years of age and common in most countries with a range of 20-40 . Not long ago , it had been alarming to discover the social and health effects of using cannabis . Severe use of it is usually linked with non-drug-specific mental problems . It is very important for adolescents to prevent the use of...