R.A.B Annotations

In the book “Progress in neurobiology- The Effects of Cannabinoids on The Brain” by Angela Ameri. Ameri speaks about the abstract long- and short-term effects that cannabinoids have on the brain. She also breaks down the cannabinoids effect on the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area- mesolimbic pathway. According to Ameri she states “The acute effects of cannabinoids as well as the development of tolerance are mediated by G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors. The CB1 receptor and its splice variant CB1A, are found predominantly in the brain with highest densities in the hippocampus, cerebellum and striatum”. This means that with the brain, once the cannabinoids reach the brain our dopamine increases drastically creating this feeling of euphoria. This makes it easy for one to get hooked onto this feeling because of the excessive dopamine produced in our brain, and because THC attaches to the receptors that are concentrated in certain areas of the brain. It activates them and affects a person’s memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time. THC or also known as Tetrahydrocannabinol is a chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. It is one of the many compounds found within the resin secreted by glands of the marijuana plant. She also goes on to explain what the active primary constituent of the hemp plant is. Its full name being tetrahydrocannabinol or for short THC. I believe that this book will be very useful for helping me write my research annotated bibliography because it has lots of scientific research behind it to back it up. I believe that Angela Ameri chooses this topic and genre to inform people of the effects that marijuana has on the brain as well as its consumers. As a German biologist and a member of the international brain research organization, she wants to spread awareness of a drug that has been widely used worldwide for centuries. Reading her book is something to consider if anyone is interested in knowing more in depth about how the brain works on drugs, and its long-term effects as well as its overall compounds that have us hooked.

Ameri, Angela. Progress ­in neurobiology- the effects of cannabinoids on the brain.  Department of pharmacy and pharmacology of natural compounds, university of Ulm, Publishing, England, July,1999

In the book “marijuana and madness: psychiatry and neurobiology” by Cambridge university press. Cambridge university goes in depth about the overview of psychiatry and neuroscience of cannabis, but more specifically sativa and its affect towards those with mental health issues such as depression. Cambridge particularly emphasizes on psychotic disorders. This helps us outline a lot more of our developments on the understanding on the human cannabinoid system. Cambridge also links this known knowledge to the clinical and epidemiological facts and about the impact of consumption it has on people since marijuana is constantly evolving and changing becoming stronger over the years. According to Cambridge university they state, “One of the reasons may be that the depressed are much less likely to come to the attention of treatment services than are those who are psychotic. Furthermore, some symptoms of cannabis dependence may mimic those of depression and so comorbid depression may go undiagnosed”. Cambridge university believes that over time, the increased rates of cannabis use, depression, and suicide among young adults have concerned the public because of the roles of substance abuse. Given the parallel rises, this makes many believe that non-psychotic mental disorders and cannabis may be linked and is understandable. Because of the evolution of stronger strains there are now 3 types of strains produced which are, Indica, sativa, and hybrids. Indica’s make a person feel more relaxed, sleepy and calm while the sativa strain is meant to make you feel more productive, upbeat, and keeps you up. Hybrids are something that’s been produced a bit more recently as a mixture of the two strains. The only thing that these strains all have in common is the crash effect they all have towards the end of the high, they make you feel slumped and tired. I believe castle choose this topic and genre to make people more aware that smoking or consuming marijuana causes mental issues and is gravely linked to specific individuals with depression. Since this is a topic that is mostly overlooked and doesn’t receive much attention.

Marijuana and Madness: Psychiatry and Neurobiology, edited by David Castle, and Robin Murray, Cambridge University Press, 2004. 

          In the article “Cannabis effects on brain structure, function, and cognition: considerations for medical uses of cannabis and its derivatives” by Alison C Burggren, Anaheed Shirazi, Nathaniel Ginder and Edythe D. London this group of psychiatry that specialize in behavioral sciences. According to the article it states, “substantial evidence for the role of the endocannabinoid system in neural development and understanding that brain development continues into early adulthood, the rising use of cannabis in adolescents and young adults raises major concerns. Yet some formulations of cannabinoid compounds are FDA-approved for medical uses, including applications in children”. The use and consumption of marijuana has been steadily increasing within the group of adolescents and   young adults. This is concerning because the use of marijuana among young adults affects their still developing brains, making them more vulnerable to this drug’s harmful effects. It can affect their grades, relationships, and physical health making them become more depending of the drug over time, almost like a crutch. I believe that the purpose of these psychologists creating this article was to inform, update and consolidate relevant findings to inform attitudes and public policy regarding the recreational and medical use of cannabis and cannabinoid compounds.

Cannabis effects on brain structure, function, and cognition: considerations for medical uses of cannabis and its derivatives. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse written by Burggren, Shirazi, A., Ginder, N., & London, E. D. (2019)