Marijuana Fact and Fiction

Marijuana Fact and Fiction Carl M. Dawson, M.S., MAC, LPC, Q-SAP Independent Practice - National Judicial College (NJC) Reno, Nevada - National Drug Court Institute Faculty (NDCI) Alexandria, Virginia. - Missouri State University (MSU) Departments of Psychology - Counselling, Leadership, and Special Education Springfield, Missouri

After completion of this session, the participant will understand: How all drugs hijack the brain? Cannabis (Marijuana vs. THC) Does the brain produce its own marijuana? How marijuana impacts the developing adolescent brain Synthetic marijuana and the dangers of being a full agonist drug

Centrally-Activating Drugs (Aka: psychoactive) Drugs

All Centrally Active Drugs are Designed to Either: Imitate Your Body s Feel Good Chemicals... - Over stimulate their production and release... - Or All of the Above!

Hijacking the Brain Hijacking The Brain is a phrase used in the field of addictionology to describe the following process: 1. The process begins by introducing a drug into the body that is designed to intentionally affect the brain. 2. The presence of the drug creates a predictable chemical-electrical event that forces the brain to release its pleasure producing chemicals (DA, 5ht, NE). 3. These Pleasure Chemicals are directed along specific pathways throughout the entire brain. 4. Once the drug is in the brain, it will continue to maintain control over the brain, thus hijacking it until eliminated from the body.

Cannabis (Marijuana and THC)

Random Facts About Marijuana Marijuana is the dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the Cannabis sativia, indica plants. The Controlled Substances Act (1970) made it illegal to buy, use, or sell marijuana in the U.S.; CSA classified it as a Schedule 1 drug. After alcohol, marijuana is the most popular recreational drug used worldwide. Approx. 69 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once. It would take 800 joints to kill a person; however, the death would be due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gender Differences and Cannabis Use Disorders (CUD) Results from the Achieving Cannabis Cessation-Evaluating N-acetylcysteine Treatment (ACCENT) Study found that women were more likely to experience greater cannabis withdrawal symptoms, including, sleep disorders, mood swings, headaches, nausea, nightmares, and extreme irritability, than men using the same amount of cannabis. The ACCENT study also revealed that women were more likely to experience long-term panic disorders (agoraphobia), in addition to reporting more days experiencing moderate to chronic pain and poor overall physical health, than men participating in the study.

Intellectual Limitations and Adolescent Marijuana Use Researchers in New Zealand conducted a 25 year-long study among a population of 1000 participates, starting at the age of 13 though 38 years of age. Their research found that participants who experienced a moderate to significant level of marijuana use during their adolescence (prior to the age of 18 years) showed an eight (8) point decline in overall intellectual (IQ) functioning. Their research also found that these participants did not experience any improvement in their overall intellectual (IQ) functioning once they discontinued using marijuana.

Cannabis Marijuana Currently the marijuana plant is considered to possess 483 known chemicals. More than 84 are known to be cannabinoids. The user is only attempting to isolate two (2) cannabinoid chemicals ( 8 & 9 THC).

ENDOCANNABINOID VS. MARIJUANA There are currently two (2) known CANNABINOID receptors, CB-1 and CB-2. Research has found that both eight (8) and nine (9) THC substances are mistakenly accepted into the Anandamide- Cannabinoid receptors because they appear so much alike.

ENDOCANNABINOID VS. MARIJUANA There are currently two (2) known CANNABINOID receptors, CB-1 and CB-2. Research has found that both eight (8) and nine (9) THC substances are mistakenly accepted into the Anandamide-Cannabinoid receptors because they appear so much alike. THC s molecular structure mimics the endogenous cannabinoids (anandmides) naturally produced by the brain. After ingesting marijuana, the brain mistakenly allows the exogenous cannabinoid (THC) to activate its receptors, causing neurotransmitter confusion and the activation of the Dopamine (DA) releasing reward cycle, starting with the stimulation of the VTA.

Cannabis Marijuana 8 & 9 THC chemicals are attracted to the high protein areas of the brain.

Current Types of THC Marijuana (K2, Pills, Hash oil, Shatter, Edibles, Wax-Budder)

Cannabis Hyperemesis Signs and Symptoms: 1. Long-term and dosage dependent use of cannabis substances 2. Believed to be impacting the hypothalamus 3. Presents with severe morning nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping 4. Symptoms may cycle for months 5. Temporary relief of symptoms is found by: a. Compulsive and frequent hot baths or showers b. Discontinued use of cannabis

Created in the mid 90 s by John W. Huffman, Clemson University. Considered to be 5 to 10x more powerful than herbal marijuana. Synthetic cannabis are sprayed on approx. three (3) grams of dried vegetable matter. Researchers found that individuals who had previously been diagnosed with Cannabis Induced Psychosis, due to K-2 use, were more likely to experience a rapid return of psychotic systems with minimal use of regular marijuana. Dr. Huffman was reported to have stated, People who use this stuff are idiots!

SYNTHETIC CANNABIS IS A FULL CANNABINOID RECEPTOR AGONIST MARKETED AS HERBAL INCENSE AND HERBAL SMOKING BLENDS SYNTHETIC CANNABIS DOES NOT TEST POSITIVE FOR CANNABINOIDS IN A REGULAR URINE SCREEN BUT ITS METABOLITES CAN BE FOUND IN HUMAN URINE. ON MARCH 1, 2011, THE U.S. DEA CLASSIFIED ALL FIVE (5) SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS AS SCHEDULE 1 DRUGS.

Review How drugs hijack the brain Cannabis (Marijuana vs. THC) Does the brain produce its own marijuana? How marijuana impacts the developing adolescent brain Synthetic marijuana and the dangers of being a full agonist drug

Recommend Readings U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Treatment TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT PROTOCOL (TIP) SERIES Rockwall II, 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857

References and Recommended Readings American Psychiatric Association (2013). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5 th Ed. Washington, DC, The American Psychiatric Association. American Psychiatric Association (2000). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th Ed. Washington, DC, The American Psychiatric Association. Cooper, J., F. Bloom, and R. Roth. The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology, 8 th Ed. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 2003. Jellinek EM., Phases of Alcohol Addiction. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol 13:673-684, 1952. Kandel, E., J. Schwartz, and T. Jessell. The Foundations of Neural Science, 4 th Ed. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill, 2000.

National Institute on Drug Abuse, Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide, 2 nd Ed., National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (NIH) publication # 09-4180, Revised April 2009. Ray, O., Ksir, C.: Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior, 7 th Ed., Mosby Publishing Co. (1996). Squire, L.: Memory and Brain, Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, (1987). Whishaw. IL, and B. Kolb. Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, 5 th Ed. New York: Worth Books, (2003). Brizedine, L. The female Brain. New York: Morgan Hill Books, 2006 Baron-Cohen, S. The Essential Differences. New York: Basic Books, 2003

Abel, Ernest L. 1980. Marihuana: The First Twelve Thousand Years. New York, NY: Plenum Press. Booth, Martin. 2003. Cannabis: A History. London, England: Doubleday. Chapkis, Wendy and Richard Webb. 2008. Dying to Get High: Marijuana as Medicine. New York, NY: New York University Press. Leggett, Ted Why Should We Care about Cannabis? : United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Accessed: November 29, 2008. How Does Marijuana Work IN the Brain? The American Biology Teacher, vol. 75, no. 4, 2013, pp. 299 300., www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/abt.2013.75.4.12. Sherman BJ, et al. Gender Differences Among Treatment-Seeking Adults With Cannabis Use Disorder: Clinical Profiles of Women and Men Enrolled in the Achieving Cannabis Cessation-Evaluating N- acetylcysteine Treatment (ACCENT) Study. American Journal on Addictions 2017 (in press) En NY Jenny L. Williamson, et al

1.Hartman RL, Huestis MA. Cannabis effects on driving skills. Clin Chem. 2013;59(3):478-492. Do: 10.1373/clinchem. 2012.194381. 2.Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). Behavioral Health Trends in the United States: Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2015. HHS Publication No. SMA 15-4927, NSDUH Series H-50. 3.Wilson FA, Stimpson JP, Pagán JA. Fatal crashes for drivers testing positive for drugs in the U.S., 1993-2010. Public Health Rep Wash DC 1974. 2014;129(4):342-350 1.Compton RP, Berning A. Drug and Alcohol Crash Risk. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 2015. DOT HA 812 117. 2.Drug Involvement of Fatally Injured Drivers. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 2010. 3.Brady JE, Li G. Trends in Alcohol and Other Drugs Detected in Fatally Injured Drivers in the United States, 1999 2010. Am J Epidemiol. January 2014: kwt327. Do: 10.1093/ag/kwt327. 4.Teen Drivers: Get the Facts Motor Vehicle Safety CDC Injury Center. http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html. Published October 14, 2015. Accessed April 7, 2016.