Cannabinoids
The endocannabinoid system (CB₁/CB₂ receptors; endogenous ligands anandamide & 2-AG) · phytocannabinoids Δ⁹-THC (psychoactive) & cannabidiol (non-psychoactive) · pharmacology (CNS, analgesia, antiemesis, appetite, ↓IOP) · tolerance/dependence & cannabis-use disorder · therapeutic cannabinoids — dronabinol, nabilone, nabiximols, cannabidiol (Epidiolex) · adverse effects, drug interactions & the Indian NDPS medico-legal status
Past RGUHS + DNB + MPMSU + VNSGU · 4
RGUHSMar '26
VNSGUSep '25
DNBJun '22
MPMSU2006
Introduction & classification
- Definition — cannabinoids are compounds that engage the endocannabinoid system (eCB system) — an endogenous lipid-signalling network of endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and the enzymes that synthesise and degrade them; it is widespread in the body and regulates stress, pain, reward, metabolism and inflammation.
- Three classes — cannabinoids fall into three operational groups:
- Endocannabinoids (eCBs) — endogenous arachidonate-derived signalling lipids; prototypes anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG).
- Phytocannabinoids — plant-derived from Cannabis; principal ones Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) (psychoactive) and cannabidiol (CBD) (non-psychoactive).
- Synthetic cannabinoids — laboratory-made CB1 agonists, from therapeutic agents (nabilone) to illicit high-efficacy "spice" compounds.
- Clinical relevance — Δ9-THC drives the psychoactivity of cannabis, while CBD is non-psychoactive with distinct therapeutic benefit; approved cannabinoid drugs treat chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, AIDS anorexia, multiple-sclerosis spasticity and drug-resistant epilepsy.
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Cannabinoids
PharmaNotes Pro · LAQ
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