Cannabinoid

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A flowering cannabis plant. The most common source of cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are a class of diverse chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors on cells that repress neurotransmitter release in the brain. These receptor proteins include the endocannabinoids (produced naturally in the body by humans and animals), the phytocannabinoids (found in cannabis and some other plants), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured chemically). The most notable cannabinoid is the phytocannabinoid ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound of cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another major constituent of the plant, representing up to 40% in extracts of the plant resin. There are at least 85 different cannabinoids isolated from cannabis, exhibiting varied effects.

Synthetic cannabinoids encompass a variety of distinct chemical classes: the classical cannabinoids structurally related to THC, the nonclassical cannabinoids (cannabimimetics) including the aminoalkylindoles, 1,5-diarylpyrazoles, quinolines, and arylsulphonamides, as well as eicosanoids related to the endocannabinoids.

Cannabinoid receptors

Before the 1980s, it was often speculated that cannabinoids produced their physiological and behavioral effects via nonspecific interactions, instead of interacting with specific receptors directly. The discovery of the first cannabinoid receptors in the 1980s helped to resolve this debate. These receptors are common in animals, and have been found in mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. At present, there are two known types of cannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2, with mounting evidence of more.

Cannabinoid receptor type 1

CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain, more specifically in the basal ganglia and in the limbic system, including the hippocampus. They are also found in the cerebellum and in both male and female reproductive systems. CB1 receptors are absent in the medulla oblongata, the part of the brain stem responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Thus, there is not the risk of respiratory or cardiovascular failure that can be produced by some drugs. CB1 receptors appear to be responsible for the euphoric and anticonvulsive effects of cannabis.

Cannabinoid receptor type 2

CB2 receptors are predominantly found in the immune system, or immune-derived cells with the greatest density in the spleen. While found only in the peripheral nervous system, a report does indicate that CB2 is expressed by a subpopulation of microglia in the human cerebellum. CB2 receptors appear to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and possibly other therapeutic effects of cannabis.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely if ever occur all at once but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Physical effects

• Spontaneous tactile sensations
• Sedation - Although certain strains of cannabinoids present mild encouraged stimulation at low to moderate dosages, for the most part the effects on the user's energy levels are primarily sedating. This encourages one to relax but can however be suppressed by simply forcing oneself to engage in physical activities.
• Loss of motor control - This substance causes a partial to moderate suppression of motor control which intensifies proportional to dosage but rarely results in a complete inability to walk and perform basic movements.
• Appetite stimulation - The feeling of increased appetite following the use of cannabinoids has been documented for hundreds of years and is known colloquially as "the munchies" in popular American and United Kingdom culture. Clinical studies and survey data have found that cannabis increases food enjoyment and interest in food. This is thought to be due to the way in which endocannabinoids in the hypothalamus activate cannabinoid receptor that are responsible for maintaining food intake.
• Nausea suppression - Cannabis is effective for suppressing nausea induced by both general illness and substance induced nausea. It is considered an effective treatment for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and is a reasonable option in those who do not improve following preferential treatment.
• Dehydration
• Vasodilation - THC decreases blood pressure which dilates the blood vessels and increases blood flow throughout the body. The arteries in the eyeball expand from the decreased blood pressure. Studies in the 1970s showed marijuana, when smoked or eaten, effectively lowers intraocular pressure by about 25%, as much as standard medications. These enlarged arteries often produce a bloodshot red eye effect. It is precisely this effect on the human eye that makes cannabinoids an effective medicine for glaucoma.
• Pain relief - This substance has been reported as useful for treating certain headaches, chronic pain, including pain caused by neuropathy and possibly fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Increased bodily weight or Decreased bodily weight - Depending on the specific cannabinoid, one can find themselves with a body which can feel either physically heavier or lighter than it usually would in a style that is entirely dependent upon dosage.
• Changes in gravity - At extremely high dosages many users report a feeling of being pulled backwards across vast distances at powerful speeds. This sensation progressively increases in intensity and eventually becomes unbearable if one leans backwards or lies down but disappears altogether once the user sits up or leans forward.

Cognitive effects

• Current mind state enhancement - The most prominent cognitive component of the cannabinoids experience is the way in which it enhances the emotions one is already feeling proportional to dosage. This can result in euphoria, extreme laughter, increased immersion within tasks and activities or it can result in anxiety or paranoia depending on the user's current mind state.
• Thought connectivity
• Thought deceleration
• Conceptual thinking
• Mindfulness
• Suppression of information processing
• Anxiety - Certain canabinoids induce anxiety consistently. However, all cannabinoids are capable of inducing anxiety at high doses, or with chronic administration.
• Paranoia - Certain canabinoids induce paranoia consistently. However, all cannabinoids are capable of inducing paranoia at high doses, or with chronic administration.

Visual effects

• Colour enhancement
• Visual acuity suppression
• Geometry - Certain cannabinoids are capable of inconsistently inducing mild psychedelic geometry at extremely high dosages within many users. Within many users who also regularly use psychedelics, however, it is capable of inducing these consistently in a visual style which seems to be an averaged out depiction of all the psychedelics one has used within the past. These rarely extend beyond level 4 and are considered to be mild, fine, small and zoomed out but often well-defined.

Auditory effects

• Enhancements

Phytocannabinoids

• THC
• CBD
• CBN
• CBG (Cannabigerol)
• CBC (Cannabichromene)
• CBL (Cannabicyclol)
• CBV (Cannabivarin)
• THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
• CBDV (Cannabidivarin)
• CBCV (Cannabichromevarin)
• CBGV (Cannabigerovarin)
• CBGM (Cannabigerol Monomethyl Ether)

Plant sources

• Cannabis

Synthetic cannabinoids

Comparison of synthetic cannabinoids

Naphthoylindole family

• JWH-073
• JWH-018
• JWH-122
• JWH-250
• THJ-018

5F-Family

• 5F-AKB-48
• 5F-PB-22
• 5F-UR-144
• AM-2201 (5F-JWH-018)

Pentylindole Family

• UR-144