Question

Many clinically prescribed medications that affect brain target neurotransmitter signaling. discuss the conditions of Marijuana and how it is used to treat, and the specific biochemical mechanism by which the drug works.

Answer 1

Marijuana acts by binding with the receptors CB1 and CB2 present in the brain and spinal cord. These receptors are G-protein coupled receptors. Activation of these receptors causes inhibition of release of neurotransmitters acetylcholine and glutamate. Also indirectly affect GABA, NMDA, opioid and serotonin receptors.

Marijuana shows antagonistic effects and thus binding of marijuana with these receptors results into increase in release of acetylcholine and glutamate, GABA, NMDA, and sertonin function is also modulated leading to alteration in the user's perception and mood, disturbance in memory, learning and judgment. Recent studies have shown that marijuana also decreases sensitivity towards dopamine in the reward center in the brain.