1. EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE
CANNABIS & AMPHETAMINES
©Emmanuel M. Kingston

2. CANNABIS ABUSE
• Abuse- use of a chemical substance or a drug
for non-therapeutic purposes.
• The effects are caused by chemicals in
cannabis, including cannabinoids such as
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
• Cannabis has both psychological and
physiological effects on the human body.

3. Cannabinoid receptors
• G-protein coupled receptor.
• CB1 receptors bigger and extraordinarily abundant in the
brain: 10 times more plentiful than μ-opioid
receptor(morphine).
• CB2 receptors are structurally different (similarity 44%), are
found only on cells of the immune system, and seems to
function similarly to its CB1 counterpart.
• CB2 receptors are most commonly prevalent on B-cells, NK
cells, and monocytes, but can also be found on
polymorphonuclear neutrophil cells, CD 8, and CD 4 cells. In
the tonsils the CB2 receptors appear to be restricted to Blymphocyte-enriched areas.
• THC and endogenous anandamide additionally interact with
glycine receptors.

4. Prevalent brain locations:
• Basal ganglia, cerebellum, hippocampus,
cerebral cortex and nucleus accumbens
(“reward centre of the brain”).
• Others: hypothalamus, amygdala, spinal cord,
brainstem and nucleus of the solitary tract
(visceral sensations of N,V)

5. Preparations

6. Behavioral changes that may be symptoms of prolonged
marijuana use include:
• distorted perceptions
• impaired coordination
• difficulty in thinking and problem solving
• ongoing problems with learning and memory
Other signs of marijuana abuse are frequently visible in users:
• red, blurry, bloodshot eyes
• constant, mucus-filled cough
• rapid heartbeat
• Hunger & dry mouth
• anxiety, paranoia, or fear
• poor memory
• poor coordination and slow reaction time
• Addiction
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Cancer of the lungs is also linked to marijuana use because unfiltered marijuana smoke has more
carcinogens than cigarettes.

7. • Blood-shot eye

8. AMPHETAMINE ABUSE
• CNS stimulants.
• Amphetamine is made up of two distinct
compounds (enantiomers): pure
dextroamphetamine and pure levoamphetamine.
• Dextroamphetamine is more potent than
levoamphetamine.
• Medications containing amphetamines are
prescribed for narcolepsy, obesity, and attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

9. Methods of Use
• Dependence liability: Moderate
• Routes:
• Medical: Oral, nasal inhalation
Recreational: Oral, nasal inhalation, insufflations,
rectal, intravenous
• Pharmacokinetic data
• Bioavailability: Rectal 95–100%; Oral 75–100%
• Protein Binding: 15–40%
• Metabolism:
Hepatic: CYP2D6, BDH, and FMO(flavin monooxygenase)
• Half life: D-amph:9–11h; L-amph:11–14h

11. Disorders Medically Treated With
Amphetamines
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Narcolepsy (uncontrolled episodes of sleep)
Obesity
Parkinson's disease
Nasal congestion
Causes release of dopamine and
norepinephrine in the brain and inhibits their
reuptake.

12. Short-Term Effects
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High body temperature
Cardiovascular system failure
Hostility or paranoia
Irregular or increased heart
rate
Increased blood pressure
Increased activity
Euphoria
Decreased fatigue/drowsiness
Decreased appetite
Dry mouth
Dilated pupils
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Increased respiration
Heightened alertness/energy
Nausea
Headache
Palpitations
Altered sexual behavior
Tremor/twitching of small
muscles
• Release of social inhibitions

13. Long-Term Effects
• Toxic psychosis
• Physiological and
behavioral disorders
• Dizziness
• Pounding heartbeat
• Cardiomyopathies
• Difficulty breathing
• Mood or mental changes
• Unusual fatigue
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Repetitive motor activity
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Ulcers
Malnutrition
Mental illness
Skin disorders
Vitamin deficiency
Flush or pale skin
Loss of coordination and
physical collapse
• Convulsions, coma, and
death

14. Das ENDE