Sandbox 420: Difference between revisions
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==History== | ==History== | ||
First emergent in Europe in 2004, an herbal incense product known as Spice or K2 was quickly utilized all over the world as a synthetic form of marijuana. Although sold legally in many areas as a “natural incense” that is “not for human consumption”, K2 is a plant-based material with traces of astoundingly potent synthetic cannabinoids, a fact that many users and retailers alike do not fail to recognize. | First emergent in Europe in 2004, an herbal incense product known as Spice or K2 was quickly utilized all over the world as a synthetic form of marijuana. Although sold legally in many areas as a “natural incense” that is “not for human consumption”, K2 is a plant-based material with traces of astoundingly potent synthetic cannabinoids, a fact that many users and retailers alike do not fail to recognize. | ||
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) are chemically derived forms of the naturally-occurring psychotropic cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), found in marijuana <ref name="k2">DOI 10.3109/03602532.2013.839700</ref><ref name = "history">"The History of Synthetic Drugs (Spice, K2 and Bath Salts)." ''Narconon International''. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. </ref>. Cannabinoids bind and activate cannabinoid receptors, | Synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) are chemically derived forms of the naturally-occurring psychotropic cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), found in marijuana <ref name="k2">DOI 10.3109/03602532.2013.839700</ref><ref name = "history">"The History of Synthetic Drugs (Spice, K2 and Bath Salts)." ''Narconon International''. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. </ref>. Cannabinoids bind and activate cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, which are found throughout the body <ref name="k2" />. CB1 is primarily found in the cerebellum as well as the hippocampus, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, striatum and brainstem; all vital areas of the central nervous system <ref name="k2" />. | ||
Although SCBs are chemically similar to THCs, which exhibit relatively mild side effects when used recreationally, the use of K2 has been linked to many serious health conditions. Due to the delocalization of CB1 receptors throughout the body and in crucial parts of the CNS that regulates bodily functions, K2 can affect many systems of the body simultaneously. Cardiovascularly, K2 can cause tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia, hypertension and, in rare cases, myocardial infarction <ref name="history" /><ref name="toxic">PMID: 21970775 </ref><ref>PMID: 22065271</ref>. Neurologically, K2 can cause extreme paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, memory and learning disruptions, dependence and even seizures <ref name="k2" />. | Although SCBs are chemically similar to THCs, which exhibit relatively mild side effects when used recreationally, the use of K2 has been linked to many serious health conditions. Due to the delocalization of CB1 receptors throughout the body and in crucial parts of the CNS that regulates bodily functions, K2 can affect many systems of the body simultaneously. Cardiovascularly, K2 can cause tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia, hypertension and, in rare cases, myocardial infarction <ref name="history" /><ref name="toxic">PMID: 21970775 </ref><ref>PMID: 22065271</ref>. Neurologically, K2 can cause extreme paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, memory and learning disruptions, dependence and even seizures <ref name="k2" />. | ||
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== Function == | == Function == | ||
CB1 is one of two receptors in the human body that recognizes five endocannabinoid compounds as well as exogenous cannabinoids like THC and K2. The CB1 receptor is a G- | CB1 is one of two receptors in the human body that recognizes five endocannabinoid compounds as well as exogenous cannabinoids like THC and K2. The CB1 receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor located primarily in the nervous system <ref name="review">PMID: 185848585</ref>. The primary function of the CB1 receptor is to bind endogenous and exogenous ligands to activate signal transduction pathways for the cells in which they are located <ref name = "review"/>. The function of CB1 receptors thus depends on the location of the receptor as well as the type of ligand binding to the receptor. As a result, CB1 receptors are involved in regulating a variety of physiological functions including regulation of neurotransmitters, pain modulation, memory, motor control, control of appetite, and regulation of anxiety. | ||
==Regulation of Neurotransmitters== | ==Regulation of Neurotransmitters== | ||
