Asian Journal of Research and Reports in Neurology

Marijuana and Its Effects in Brain

Jayalakshmi Krishnan *

Department of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruarvur, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

Cannabis sativa (hemp) plant is the source of cannabis-based products which comes from any part of the plant such as seeds, stems and flowering tops. The products of this plant are used for recreational purpose. It can also be used to sooth the pain and other medical conditions. Not all products of this plant is mind altering but some of them posses the psychotic effect. The active ingredient of the plant is called as cannabinoids. Almost 120 active chemicals are present in cannabis. According to the scientific reports these cannabis can be used to chronic pain in adults, nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy treatment, some symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).These cannabis can be ingested in various forms such as smoking, taking it as supplements, topical treatment, eating either raw or with candies, can be added in tea as a brew. This chapter will address the effect of these cannabis in human brain and its mechanisms of action.

Keywords: Cannabinoids, cannabenoid receptors, dopaminergic neuron, endocannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

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