Extended Essay

Name: Thomas Richard Supervisor: Mr. Fausch Date: 7th of Aplril 2011 Subject: Psychology Topic: Cannabis and medicine Approach: A research of neuroscience journals about experiments and discoveries of the effects of cannabis on the human brain and its use in medicine. Research Question: What are the effects of cannabis on the human brain and in which ways does the molecule tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) and others are utilized in medical applications? Introduction Herbs, pot, weed, cannabis, Mary Jane, bo-bo, bud, djamba, and many more, are all street terms for marijuana. It is used by a huge number of consumers for their own personal reasons. Most of them say that smoking herbs transports them into their own element, a peaceful feeling, a mindset withdrawing all worries, a relaxed feeling, it relieves the clutter and tension after a hard days work (Marijuana Telling Teenagers the Truth about Smoking Pot). Some consumers such as musicians claim that consuming cannabis enhances their creativity. Herbs have several positive impacts on our brains; for instance it has been scientifically proven that marijuana improves the intelligence of an individual. However consuming marijuana in large quantities also has negative impacts, such as decreasing our intelligence (Servo Tom). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), also known as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC), is the major psychoactive substance found in the hemp plant, and was scientifically proven to be beneficial to the human brain in several ways. This is where medical marijuana comes in. The tetrahydrocannabinol molecule improves the quality of life in cancer patients, it increases the strengths of their senses, and is used as a pain treatment. Cannabinoid Cannabidiol (CBD) is another substance found in cannabis and can be beneficial in several ways for patients with social anxiety

disorder. Marijuana has both negative and positive impacts on the human body, and can be used beneficially in medicine implications. Thereby this research essay will inform you of what are the effects of cannabis on the human brain and the ways in which the molecule tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) and others are utilized in medical applications? What is marijuana? Weed is a mixture of dry torn leaves, seeds, stems, and flowers of a plant called hemp, and may come in gray, brown, or green tint (Volkow, Nora D. Marijuan Abuse, p.1). The flowering part of the Indian hemp plant or Cannabis is called marijuana. It is a wild, 15-20 feet tall, weed-like plant that grows naturally or is cultivated in many tropical parts of the world. The marijuana flowers most common ingredient is THC, known as a psychoactive molecule, but also contains more than 400 different other chemicals, including some whom are also psychoactive. The THC or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) is the molecule that is mostly involved in the chemical processes the brain endures when consumed, creating the effects the consumers look for. Hashish, or hash as it is most commonly pronounced, is a substance of high concentration of THC. It is the extracted resin from the leaves and flowers that is compressed into a dark, thick, playdo-like texture. It is containing five to ten times more tetrahydrocannabinol molecules as pure, dry hemp flower does. There is two most distinct types of cannabis, whom both are used for different purposes. The Cannabis indica, who only grows to only a few feet high, with a thicker and bushier appearance, is generally cultivated for its psychoactive purposes. Cannabis sativa, is the other kind, grows much higher, and is mostly cultivated for its strong fibers. Although both are cultivated for different reasons, their flowers somewhat creates the same high when consumed, with the one from Cannabis indica being the strongest (Kuhn, Cynthia, p.144-145). The history of weed As historical researchers discovered, Chinese people were found to be cultivating marijuana as far back as 28 B.C. The fibres of this hemp plant were

used by these people to create ropes, clothes, papers, and oil; the actual leaves and flowers would make tea and would be smoked; and the seeds were used in cooking. They have also recognized its intoxicating effects and medical properties when consumed. The THC molecule was also discovered in the decomposing body of Egyptian mummies, as far back as 950 B.C. Therefore it was said that cannabis has always been consumed by our past civilizations at least as far back as 950 B.C., for the same and different reasons as why we consume it today (Kuhn, Cynthia, p.144-145). From half way through the 19th century till the beginning of the 20th, marijuana could be obtained freely without any form of prescription to treat migraines, ulcers, and insomnias. Mexican immigrants introduced it to New Orleans and additional large cities, and was seen as a recreational drug. It became very popular amongst jazz musicians. In 1937, the USs congress opposed the recommendation of the American Medical Association, and banned the use of this drug by rising its price significantly and making it very difficult to obtain, so that only patients who are seriously in need with a prescription could consume it. Since then, marijuana stayed one the most controversial drugs in America. Even though efforts has tried to change this status, weed remained classified as one of a Schedule 1 drug, as well as LSD and heroin, thought to be without utility and dangerous (Alger, Bradley N, p.70). How, why, and who consumes cannabis? The THC in marijuana only affects your body once it is in your system; to do so, there are various ways to consume it. The user most commonly smokes weed, it can be smoked out of a joint (a slang term for a cigarette rolled with cannabis) or out of various types of bongs (a water pipe made of a vertical glass tube, partially filled with water with a smaller pipe having a bowl shaped cone at one end, often used in smoking narcotic drugs). Marijuana can also produce tea for drinking, and can be cooked to eat, and with a bit of the consumers imagination cannabis can be consumed in a lot of different ways based on those ideas. Although the individuals motivation of consuming drugs such as cannabis can vary significantly, and that any teenagers can develop a dependency on it,

some are at much higher risk than others. These high risk people may have family conflicts, their parents are often arguing or absent, they are not able to set concrete boundaries, support, and guidance, creating anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, family stress, and anger, all motivating factors to use illegal drugs such as cannabis. The environment is another factor, especially when a majority of your best friends smoke pot, developing peer pressure forcing you to try drugs. It can also be due to cognitive differences, if an individual has a much superior intelligence than the average or if they have attention deficit disorder, and they feel excluded from the majority. They know that drugs mean an already acquired acceptance to a new group of friends, therefore they will start using drugs. First time consuming marijuana of an individual varies a lot depending on his gender, region of the country, socioeconomic level, college plans, ethnicity/race, and whether they are in a rural or urban area. Including all these factors, the average age of the first-time consuming cannabis in 1999 was 16.2 years old. Although males have a tendency to try drugs earlier and in higher concentration than women. There isnt a specific age where people consume marijuana, although its percentage does tend to decrease as they get older from the teenage, but the most likely consumers are the ones having family conflicts, cognitive disorders, and drug using friends, no matter what their ages are. (Mehling, Randi, p. 68) Marijuanas responsible agent and neurotransmitters In 1988 at St. Louis University, the scientist Allyn Howlett and her colleagues discovered to what receptors in the brain the THC attached itself. They placed a radioactive tracer to a chemical derivative of THC, injected it in the rats brains, and observed its path until it stopped. The results demonstrated it attached itself to the Cannabinoid Receptor (CB 1 ). The role of CB 1 related to THC was later proven by the independent experiment of two researchers, Catherine Ledent and Andreas Zimmer. Both bred mice which lacked of the CB 1 receptors and injected THC in their systems. They came to the same conclusion: the THC had virtually no effects whatsoever on the mice without CB 1 , because

the THC compound had nowhere to bind itself and therefore was not able to trigger any activity. As scientists continued their research on the Cannabinoid Receptor, they discovered high densities of it in numerous parts of the body (mostly the brain), which explains marijuanas diverse effects. Its highest concentrations were found in the amygdala, spinal cord, brain stem, basal ganglia, cerebellum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and in the cerebral cortex. The table below illustrates what region in the body contains high densities of CB 1 and how our body is affected when we consume THC: Region in the body Amygdala Hypothalamus Brain stem Hippocampus Cerebral Cortex Effects

Involved in our emotional responses Involved in appetite Vomiting impulses and pain reduction Memory impairment Controls the psychoactive powers

After some time, more details regarding the CB 1 s locations were discovered. From the Institute of Experimental Medicine at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest, F. Freund, and from the University of Washington, Kenneth P. Mackie, revealed that the CB 1 were only located on some neurons in very specific spots. They were found to be highly concentrated on GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) releasing neurons, and in simple words it tells recipient neurons to stop firing. Cannabinoid Receptors are also located close to the synapse (contact point between two neurons). This specific placement insinuates that they are somewhat involved in signal transmission across GABA-using synapses. The THC in marijuana thereby affects the transmission between neurons resulting in the effects stated in the table above (Alger, Bradley N, p.71 - 72). Other discoveries have filled gaps in understanding more high behaviors of marijuana users. Researchers demonstrated that when endocannabinoid neurotransmitters locked on Cannabinoid receptors, in some conditions they could block presynaptic cells from releasing excitatory neurotransmitters (they

play in the role of firing (transferring information from our senses along neurons, to the brain)). This explains the minor motor dysfunction (a dysfunction in our motor system which controls our voluntary actions), and altered sensory perceptions. (Alger, Bradley N, p.74) Effects of Marijuana on the consumers After having read the section above about which neurotransmitters contained the highest concentrations of Cannabinoid receptors, the following list of effects on pot users will seem more logical (there are much more regions of the body whom are affected by THC but whos effects has not been proven scientifically yet). The short term effects are felt a few minutes after consummation. The intoxication reaches its paroxysm during the following hour and the effects can last for a period of five hours depending on the amount of marijuana used. Short term effects: Agitation Distorted coordination during complex tasks Time modifications Slowing down of logical thinking Concentration difficulties Memory failures / loss of memories Fluctuating appetite Dizziness Feeling of well being, relaxation Decreased blood pressure Drowsiness Low latency More distinct auditory senses and visual acuity In rare cases, people feel fear and anxiety Dilation of pupils Bloodshot eyes Cotton mouth (dry mouth) Loss of sense of balance Increased heart rates Increased sociability

Marijuana does not only have short effects. If repeated use over a long period of time, long term effects can also be observed.

Long Term Effects: Pulmonary problems (if smoked) Hormonal changes (mood swings) Bloodshot eyes Lack of motivation Weakened short term memory Focusing inabilities Lack of energy Increased risk of throat and lung cancers Reduced sperm count and fertility (for men) Irregular periods (for wemen) Decrease in immune system strength (increased risks of infections and being sick) (Effects of marijuana) Dependency/Addiction All drugs have a self-defining, or unique characteristics, thereby experts generally speak of dependency rather than addiction. All weed smokers without exceptions has a certain level of dependence towards marijuana. Depending on the amount consumed, each person might or not create a physical, but will all develop a psychological dependence, which is very common in pot heads (marijuana users). For example, if someone started to smoke marijuana every night just before falling asleep, for at least a week or two . As long as he will have his dosage of THC every night, he will have no problems falling asleep. However as soon as he will stop, he will have strong difficulties sleeping because his body will not obtain its THC dosage it needs. In fact, as the consumer puts an end to his use of cannabis, the withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, sweating, and loss of appetite. Although all symptoms can faint away with time, they are also likely to persist during a certain amount of time, from a few days to years depending on the quantity and frequency you have consumed it. (Mehling, Randi, p. 60 - 69) Medical marijuana used to treat anxiety disorder Anxiety disorder is a very common illness affecting millions of citizens throughout the world, including 40 millions ( 17%) of the population of America. This disease affects people with a constant and excessive worrying handicapping them in their every day lives. The symptoms include fatigue, intense stress/anxiety, insomnia, shorter breaths, above average heart beets per

minute, and lack of concentration. There has been several anti anxiety medications used to treat this illness. These include Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Xanax, however they have been found to be unfavourable for the client due to their considerable long-term side effects. Therefore, medical marijuana has been introduced as another treatment for anxiety disorder, and has surprisingly been very effective in reducing the symptoms. On the other hand, many patients confirm that it has increased their level of anxiety, panic, and paranoia. Nevertheless, most patients decided to use medical marijuana to treat the illness rather than ordinary lab made medications. They prefer using natural herbs and remedies such as marijuana because of the simple reason that it turns out to be working significantly better in controlling their symptoms, than Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Xanax who has much worse side effects and is insignificantly effective. (Will Medical Marijuana Work For Me) Study 1 Cannabinoid Modulation of Amygdala Reactivity to social Signals of Threat In humans (Phan, K. Luan) There is a system in every animal and human called the Cannabinoid (CB) system (Phan, K. Luan), it plays a very important role in feeling of anxiety and fear. Phan, K. Luan from the department of Psychiatry and other scientists and psychologists have put together a double-blind crossover experiment where 16 healthy recreational cannabis users were given samples of THC, of which some were placebos, to explore the behaviours of the amygdala in response to threat signals under the influence of cannabis. In humans and rats, both emotional processes, fear and anxiety are dependent on the amygdala. The effects of the tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) molecule, the main psychoactive substance in marijuana, are thought to be influenced by the cannabinoid receptors (CB ) whom are located inside the basolateral amygdala (a significant area in the brain responsible for the threat perception). To test these amygdala responses, the participants, (all right handed and aged from 18 to 28 years old, has already consumed 10+ times marijuana in their past but are not daily consumers) were asked not to eat for at least 2 hours, and not to take any other form of drugs for 12 hours before the experiment. Half were given placebo pills, and the others took moderate THC concentrated pills.

The data observations began roughly two hours after the ingestion of the pills. The experimenters used an FMRI scan (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to record the responses of the amygdala in the basolateral complex of the participants, while they were busy performing tasks involving the activity of the amygdala. One of the tasks was a facial expression recognition test. There was two different pictures showing unlike expressions, and one target picture matching the same expression as shown on one of the previous two pictures. They were asked to observe these, and then decide which of the two pictures fit the same expression as the target picture. The target and the matching photograph illustrated one of three facial expressions, anger, fear, or happiness, contrasting the other non-matching photo showing a neutral facial expression. This task enabled the scientists to observe amygdala activity in response to social threat in relation with non-threat. A survey was also used to determine which participants the THC pills truly affected. A Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ) was handed out and asked to be completed by the subjects every once in a while. The questionnaire involved questions such as: Do you feel any drug effects? (Phan, K. Luan) Do you like the effects you are feeling now? (Phan, K. Luan) Are you high? (Phan, K. Luan) Would you like more of what you consumed, right now? (Phan, K. Luan)

These were asked to be rated on a specific scale. This survey allowed the researchers to decide which of the participant datas they must analyse to avoid the hawthorn effect, and obtain more reliable information. The results have demonstrated that the subjects affected by the THC pills were not affected in their motor skills (the participants were also tested on their reaction times), but their amygdala activity proved a major attenuation. The FMRI scans illuminated regions of the amygdala from the placebo affected participants, as they were performing the facial expression recognition test. This confirmed activation in the amygdala regarding threat signals. On the other hand, the THC affected subjects had not shown any form of activity in their amygdala during the same test. In other words, the molecule

tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) cancels the activation of the amygdala in threat like situations, preventing subjects from feeling neither fearful nor anxious. (Phan, K. Luan) Study 2: Does Cannabidiol help reduce the symptoms of the social anxiety disorder? In Brazil, scientists from the University of Sao Paulo conducted an experiment to study the effects of the Cannabinoid Cannabidiol (CBD) on subjects with the social anxiety disorder. The patients were tested on an open public speech test. Three groups of participants were tested, 12 healthy citizens used as a control group, 12 patients who were each given a dose of CBD, and 12 other patients who received placebos. One and a half hour after the patients with the social anxiety disorder received their dosage, they were observed by several researchers during an open speech. Measures such as the heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance were recorded during their speech to analyse the level of anxiety in each individual. The results from the patients who had ingested the 600mg Cannabinoid Cannabidiol tablets showed similar behaviours as the control group, a significant decrease in the cognitive impairment, anxiety, and discomfort in the speech. However, the group given placebos demonstrated elevated heart rates, blood pressure, and skin conductance in comparison with the control group. Therefore meaning higher levels stress, cognitive impairment, anxiety, discomfort, and alertness in their speech due to the placebo, which had no biological effects. Hence, consuming marijuana helps reduce the symptoms of the social anxiety disorder due to the major ingredient representing 40% of this plant, Cannabinoid Cannabidiol. (Bergamaschi, MM)

Work Cited
Alger, Bradley N., and Roger A. Nicoll. "The Brain's Own Marijuana." Scientific American 22 Nov. 2004: 70. Microsoft Word file. Bergamaschi, MM, et al. "Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-nave social phobia patients." U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. NCBI, 9 Feb. 2011. Web. 25 May 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed?term=Cannabidiol%20reduces%20the%20anxiety%20induced%20by%2 0simulated%20pu blic%20speaking%20in%20treatment-nave%20social%20phobia%20patients.>. Brisbois, T D, and S M Watanabe. "Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol may palliate altered chemosensory perception in cancer patients: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial." Cannabinoid Medicines. International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines, 27 Feb. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2011. <http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/bulletin/ ww_en_db_cannabis_artikel.php?id=342#1>. "Effects of marijuana." medic8.com - your trusted source for health information online. Medic8, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://www.medic8.com/ healthguide/marijuana/effects-of-marijuana.html>. Kuhn, Cynthia, PhD, Scott Swartzwelder, PhD, and Wilkie Wilson, PhD. Buzzed. Bloomsburg, PA, United States: Library of congress, 2008. Print. "Marijuana Telling Teenagers the Truth about Smoking Pot." Marijuana Telling Teenagers the Truth about Smoking Pot. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011. <http://www.perkel.com/politics/issues/pot.htm>. Mehling, Randi. Marijuana. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003. Print. "Motor system animation." Pyramidal Motor System Corticospinal tract. Motor Systems, 21 Jan. 2002. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.

Phan, K. Luan, et al. "Cannabinoid Modulation of Amygdala Reactivity to Social Signals of Threat in Humans." The journal of Neuroscience (Mar. 2005): 2313 2319. Society For Neuroscience. Web. 23 May 2011. <http://www.jneurosci.org/content/28/10/ 2313.full.pdf+html?sid=d20b7dc5-d68b-4aec-b79a-c38fb8b6084f>. Servo, Tom. "Marijuana and Creativity: Does Marijuana Enhance Creativity?" Yahoo, Contributor Network. Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! News Network, 2001. Web. 7 Apr. 2011. <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1079090/ marijuana_and_creativity_does_marijuana.html?cat=71>. Stelt, M. Van der, et al. "Neuroprotection by 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, the Main Active Compound in Marijuana, against Ouabain-Induced In Vivo Excitotoxicity." The Journal Of Neuroscience. Society for Neuroscience, 1 Sept. 2001. Web. 7 Apr. 2011. <http://www.jneurosci.org/content/21/17/ 6475.full?sid=f67ffd23-f121-4389-a8d0-66eda3fe3674>.

Volkow, Nora D. Marijuan Abuse. United States: U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2002. PDF file. "Will Medical Marijuana Work for Me." Medical Medicine . Medical Medicine Evaluation Centers, 2009. Web. 23 May 2011. <http://marijuanamedicine.com/anxiety.html>.