GreatGatsby

Would someone care to extrapolate on the purpose of cannabinoid receptors? I have learned small bits of information on them (chemical receptors in your brain which the THC bonds with?)

I ask because I believe using the examples of cannabinoid receptors would be a great way to combat the Christian communities stance against marijuana. Please, refrain from any religious bashing, but I feel that if there is a chemical receptor in our brain STRICTLY for receiving marijuana, how can it be refuted that God (for those who believe in Him) intended for mankind to use the substance? (for those obstinate members of religious circles who don't feel that marijuana's precense on Earth is enough proof...)

Since a majority of the nation is (statistically speaking) "christian," I believe that this would be a monumentous step in the legalization process. Thank you.

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"What do you think? You think I am attacking them for talking nonsense? Not a bit! I like them to talk nonsense. That's man's one privilege over all creation. Through error you come to the truth! I am a man because I err! You never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen. And a fine thing too, in it's way; but we can't even make mistakes on our own account! Talk nonsense, but talk your own nonsense and i'll kiss you for it. To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's."
Dostoyevsky - Crime and Punishment

In the presence of death reason and philosophy are silent. - Ambrose Bierce - John Mortonson's Funeral

urania3

The cannabinoid receptors are a class of transmembrane receptors that transduce an extracellular signal into an intracellular signal. Their ligands are known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoid receptors were first discovered in the 1980s. There currently are two recognized subtypes, called CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain. I wish to note here: CB1 receptors are essentially absent in the part of the brain that is responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Therefore, there is not a risk of respiratory or cardiovascular failure as there is with many other drugs. CB1 receptors appear to be responsible for the euphoric and anticonvulsive effects of cannabis.

CB2 receptors are almost exclusively found in the immune system. CB2 receptors appear to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and possibly other therapeutic effects of cannabis.

Cannabinoid receptors work by inhibiting adenylate cyclase (AC)--an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP and pyrophosphate. It is through this secondary inhibition of cAMP that produces cannabinoid effects.

This chemical receptor is NOT strictly for receiving the cannabinoids in marijuana. The body produces its own cannabinoids--called endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids--that act as a bioregulatory mechanism for most life processes.

Of the cannabinoids found in marijuana (there are at least sixty)--called classical cannabinoids or herbal cannabinoids--the primary ones that cause its particular effect are THC and CBD. THC has a greater affinity for the CB1 receptor than for the CB2 receptor. CBD has a greater affinity for the CB2 receptor than for the CB1 receptor.

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Why is it that we cannot face the simple truth? Religion is at best unsubstantiated superstition. (Massimo Pigliucci)

Higher Logic

We have opiate receptors too, so I really wouldn't use that as a case. It's a good idea, and a point that should be made but most certainly not as a prime focus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid_receptor

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Buzzby

I've always considered it a pleasant evolutionary coincidence that plants produce alkaloids and other chemicals that mimic endogenous compounds. The endogenous compounds (like anandamide and the opiate-like endorphins) are part of our internal communications system. These naturally-occurring compounds tend to be released in small amounts. When we take their plant analogues we're essentially overloading internal systems to get more dramatic effects.

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strangedezign

I find it pleasant as well, but I wouldn't call it coincidence. Coevolution maybe?

Buzzby

As cannabis evolved long before Man started using it as a drug, I don't see how its expression of psychoactive compounds could have co-evolved with the human cannabinoid receptors.

Modern varieties of cannabis raised for marijuana have far higher levels of THC than the original wild varieties, due to farmers breeding for that desirable trait.

In co-evolution, there has to be a survival advantage to both species. I don't see that in humans having cannabinoid receptors and cannabis producing cannabinoids. In a state of nature, being stoned would make you more vulnerable to enemies than being sober - an evolutionary disadvantage. I'm glad that civilization gives us the space to get high.

I wonder how having THC serves the plant?