2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG): Endocannabinoid active equally at CB1 & 2 stronger and more present than Anadamide. Found in the brain and in mother's milk. Released in stress state, repairs blood brain barrier,

OAE another endocannabinoid is found more peripherally at CB2.

n-arachidonoyl-dopamine: neurotransmitter that activates CB1 and a vanilloid receptor.

Acetylcholine: learning, short term memory, arousal, reward, spasms receptors called M1-5 muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors.

Agonist (Ag-Gon-ist): Key in the lock & key model of a neurotransmitter on a receptor to pass on message on nerve cell. Equals GO. See antagonist the opposite.

Anadamide(AEA, arachidooylethanolamide): Endocannabinoid neurotransmitter produced in our brain in response to stress, brain injury or pain, anti-inflammatory, role in embryo implantation. Only has a short life span. Made from a fatty acid enzyme (see FAAH) as a neurotransmitter on demand. Primarily attaches to CB1 and lesser to CB2. Also attaches to a receptor in the vanilloid family TRPV1. Found in essential fatty acids such as hemp powder, sea urchin roe. Found to decrease breast cancer, stimulate appetite.

Antagonist (Ant-Ag-gon-ist): Blocks or stops effects or messages at the receptor. Equals against. See agonist the opposite.

Cannabidiol (Ka-na-bid-i-awl)(CBD): Second major phytocannabinoid, Slight blocking of THC or agonist effect at the receptor but primarily attaches to CB2 receptors. Anti-seizure, antipsychotic & relaxing yet non-psychoactive, breast cancer, seizure and spasm relief, protects brain cells. Found mostly in Indica genus, hash or hemp powder. Now being included in some pharmaceutical preperations.

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Cannabinoid (Ka-na-bin-oid) receptor 1 (CBr1): Central nervous system receptor (brain and spinal cord) gates neural information on the presynapse of the neuron and makes new hypocampal and amygdala nerve cells, and reduces blood pressure by relaxing vessel walls. Also found in the liver as it increases fat production, also in the lungs and kidneys. Reduces pain, neuroprotection after brain injury, euphoria, anti-epileptics. CB knockout mice has shown to be anorexic, anxious, aggressive and maladjusted, they do not learn to get over fear as in PTSD and they die early. Alteration in cannabinoid receptor genetic mutations are said to produce depression, addiction and other ailments. CB1 blocking drugs produce anxiety and depression in humans.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CBr2): Found in immune cells and bone marrow & stem cells. Also some cb2 receptors have been found on cancers and can kill cancer when activated especially glioma brain cancers. It has anti-inflammatory & anti-cancer effects, found primarily in the peripheral nerves. Reduces pain and slows down attack by chronic disease, injury or infection..

CBr3: Found in endothelial cells and the CNS. Recently discovered g-protein receptor.

Cannabinoids: Chemical compounds found in every living thing except incests. Some are classical exo-cannabinoids (outside the human body) such as THC, CBD or CBN are the majors of 66 cannabinoids within cannabis (phyto or plant) cannabinoids or synthetic exo-cannabinoid as in the THC pharmaceutical pills. Phytocannabinoids all originate from the cannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) and change into other cannabinoids, CBD or THC then CBN.

Some cannabinoids are endo-cannabinoids (within the body) such as Anadamide naturally found in our brain, mother's milk or chocolate. Other endocannabinoids identified are 2-AG, please see. See endocannabinoids system to learn how our brains use cannabinoids for our health.

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Cannabinol (Ka-na-bin-awl)(CBN): 3 rd major cannabinoid prefers the CB2 receptor, a product of THC, pain control, nonpsychoactive

Conversion: The process of converting THC to THC delta 9.

Delta-9 THC acid: The most active and readily useable form for our body as medicine.

Delta-11 THC: The liver converts delta 9 THC to this compound which is 5 times as strong and psychoactive. Mild overdose occurs in eating cannabis as lungs can bypass some of this processing. CBD also blocks this process partially.

Dopamine (Dowp-a-meen): Inhibitory pleasure, motor, reward, learning, cognition, endocrine and nausea neurotransmitter. Strong association with noradrenaline, endocannabinoids and serotonin. DA2 receptor mutation and high levels linked with schizophrenia, psychosis & mania in genetically susceptile individuals, low levels with negative schizophrenia, depression & social anxiety. Low levels associated with Parkinsons, ADD, depression, anorexia, addiction, amotivation. Ritalin is an amphetamine given to children to promote reverse signaling of dopaime. Does not easily cross blood brain barrier except with the pharmaceutical L-Dopa. Dopamine is also a precursor to the noradrenaline system of norepinephrine and epinephrine neurotransmitters. Dopamine can help refire serotonin neurotransmitter. L-Dopa is naturally in the body and is synthesized from tyrosine. Supplements L-tyrosine, SAM-E and Phenylanine can be substituted. Found in browning bananas.

Endocannabinoid system (ECS): Neural network of master g-protein neuroreceptors (such as discovered CB1,2 & 3) that regulate other neuroreceptors and their neurotransmitters found everywhere in our bodies as the most numerous receptors. Important to protect the brain, new nerve growth, perception of stress, in learning and memory primarily in the frontal lobe, hippocampal area of the brain. They serve to protect brain, nerve and receptor function and balance against stress and normal cell death and genetics, injury, free radicals and cancer by killing abnormal cells, inflammation or autoimmune disease such as in MS, Arthritis, Lupus, Hepatitis & HIV. Also have anti-seizure, pain, and mood effects that can also treat addiction. They do this through neuromodualtion and retrograde signaling. (please see). See also g-protein receptors, CBr1 & 2. However cannabinoids also have non receptor activity using enzymes and other chemical abilities.

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Excitatory & Inhibitory : Nerves are long wires with gaps which pass along messages and perform instructed actions at its destination. The nerve cell contains three parts. The space between the nerve wire called the synapse. The part before the space is called the presynapse where neurotransmitters are releasesd to pass onto another nerve cell to perform an action. The receieving end is called the postsynapse. This is important if you think of cell electricity. Excitatory or stimulating neurotransmitters from the presynapse open channels in the post that increase sodium a positive ion and decreases potassium (also can affect potassium channels directly), a negative ion. This is called depolarization as the cell membranes electricity changes allowing the message to be passed along the electrical channels/nerves. Inhibitory neurotransmitters hyperpolarize the gate, making it less likely the message will be passed, or can slow down the messaging by decreasing cAMP energy. A chemical can excite some and depress other receptors. Most inhibitory neurotransmittter: GABA, Most excitatory Glutamate:

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (a-mi-d hydro-laze)(FAAH ) : regulates Anadamide levels. Mutation with FAAH is genetically linked to addiction and depression. Fatty acids suh as omega's help autoimmune disorders, ADD & depression.

GABA: Most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA B is the g-protein coupled receptor. GABA A & C is used by pharmacy with benzodiazipines can cause disinhibition, depression, emotional anesthesia. Nonnarcotic GABA drugs like Gabapentin or baclofen also use GABA. Also some alkaloid herbs use GABA such as vakerian a known anti-anxiety herb.GABA A can be excitatory. Supplement source natural GABA. Reduces serotonin, dopamine.

G-protein receptor: Family or class of receptors that have master control ability over other receptors ( see neuromodulation, retrograde signalling) therefore also control neurotransmitters, usually by shutdown. They start a second messaging cascade. However by shutting down things that normally shut us down we can actually have a stimulatory effect. This theory is called depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI) as a global agonist and create normal rhythmic neural activity by shutting down abnormal electricity by cannabinoids. They also can have a direct stimulatory effect. Cannabinoid receptors and GABA receptors are both related in this class and share g-proteins (neurotransmitters) Gi, Go, and the stimulatory Gs. Once released they can go back or de/activate another gprotein. GABA is used in traditional medications like neuroleptics Gabapentin, or narcotics such as benzodiazepines like Valium or Ativan. Morphine also uses GABA.

However cannabis uses GABA g-proteins in a non-narcotic pathway, as it has its own direct receptors and enzymes and is not and alkaloid or a peptide. Effects are known as anti-pain especially nerve pain, also in seizure, fibromyalgia and depression through electrical shutdown of calcium ion channels.(see excitatory and inhibitory).

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Basically the reset switch. All serotonin receptors except 5-HT3 are also in this class as a g-protein. Also responsible for a wide variety of physical effects such as smell, immune system, behavior. It is likely due to serotonin, dopamine, GABA and glutamate regulation. G-protein receptors have several classes: C glutamate E & Cyclic AMP energy receptors are of interest as they regulate receptor excitability or response. Cannabis does this through inhibition of adenyl cyclase.

Neuromodulation: Certain nerve cells control other nerve pathways by shutting them down or using these pathways. They do this by gating control on what neurotransmitter can or cannot be active on that receptor binding site by using their own transmitter (chemical signal) to control electrical current. Usually sensory transmission such as mood or pain.

Neurotransmitter: Chemical messanging agent between two receptors or nerve synapse (space) within a receptors receiving and sending terminals. For example: dopamine, noradrenaline, the choline system or serotonin. Each neurotransmitter may attach to many types of its own receptors, usually numbered, having different effects but normally do not attach to more than one as in the case with endocannabinoids. Neurotransmitters are largely involved with crosstalk and influencing each other as in the case of serotonin and dopamine. They are then recycled or broken down by other chemicals/enzymes in the body. Under stress, autoimmune attack or genetic mutation our receptors can change and malfunction. We can also burn out, reducing the levels we need leading to a disease state.

Noradrenaline (Nor-adren-a-lin) (NE): epinephrine & norepinephrine, arousal, wakefulness, reward, anti-depression. Works on the adrenergic adrenaline system in the body. Made from dopamine. Norepinephrine produced in stress fight or flight response through sympathetic nervous system or perception. (See dopamine, serotonin). Serotonin blocks NE and so does the dopamine D2. Antidepressants, cocaine and Ritalin both increase NE by stopping the uptake/breakdown of NE making it circulate longer.

Phenylalanine (Fee-na-la-na-neen): Helps tyrosine break down into useable L-Dopa. Stimulatory effect. Pregnant women should not take it or individuals with PKU disease as they cannot break this chemical down and avoid aspartame or artificial sweetners. Helps pain, depression, ADD and stimulant addiction.

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Retrograde Signalling: See traditional model of agonist neurotransmission click here.

It is thought that cannabinoid receptors can message back from the receiving end to the presynaptic sending nerve cells and thus has master influence and balancing over nerve cell activity:

Conventional neurotransmitters are released from a ‘presynaptic' cell and activate appropriate receptors on a ‘postsynaptic' cell, where presynaptic and postsynaptic designate the sending and receiving sides of a synapse, respectively. Endocannabinoids, on the other hand, are described as retrograde transmitters because they most commonly travel ‘backwards' against the usual synaptic transmitter flow. They are in effect released from the postsynaptic cell and act on the presynaptic cell, where the target receptors are densely concentrated on axonal terminals in the zones from which conventional neurotransmitters are released. Activation of cannabinoid receptors temporarily reduces the amount of conventional neurotransmitter released. This endocannabinoid mediated system permits the postsynaptic cell to control its own incoming synaptic traffic. The ultimate effect on the endocannabinoid releasing cell depends on the nature of the conventional transmitter that is being controlled. For instance, when the release of the inhibitory transmitter, GABA, is reduced, the net effect is an increase in the excitability of the endocannabinoid-releasing cell. Conversely, when release of the excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, is reduced, the net effect is a decrease in the excitability of the endocannabinoid-releasing cell.

SAM-E (sammy) (s-adenosyl methionine)(Adomet): amino acid supplement that helps neurotransmitters convert themselves into active useable forms: dopamine, cannabinoids, serotonin & norepinephrine, made from ATP energy. Adequate B vitamin intake on an empty stomach is crucial with this supplement. Helps fight depression, liver inflammation in Hepatitis or cirrhosis, osteoarthritis, migraine, alzheimers. Do not take with other antidepressants or if bipolar or schizophrenic, may cause mild GI problems, nausea, headache, insomnia, rashes.

Serotonin (Sarah-tone-in)(5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine): g-protein excitatory neurotransmitter except (see 5-HT3 serotonin), mediates dopamine and GABA neurotransmission. It is responsible for sleep, awake, temperature regulation, memory, mood, emotion such as anger, aggression, sexuality, nausea, anxiety, satisfication, appetite, introversion, decrease perception of pain control, psychosis (with elevated levels) or depressive or other mental illness & anxiety, migraine, IBS, fibromyalgia with low levels, or HT2 receptor mutation or activity. Most serotonin chemical are not in our brains but on blood cells called platelets and in our guts, also in smooth muscle. Found in mushrooms, walnuts, kiwi, plums, tomatoes, cheese, bananas, pineapple, omega sources such as salmon, flax and hemp oil or supplements such as tryptophan or SAM-E.high blood levels of serotonin can cause heart failure and are not recommended such as with 5HTP supplements and certain dopaminergic Parkinsons drugs can increase HT2A. Serotonin syndrome can cause a potentially lethal heart arythmia, so do not take prescribe serotonin agents with anything else that increases serotonin.

Serotonin (5-HT3): responsible for pain, anxiety and nausea messaging.

Terpenes, terpenoids: Aromatic essence of the plant, contain many compounds such as linalool in lavender and limonene in citrus. Both are relaxing, anti-anxiety promoting. Terpenes help cannabinoids get into the brain through the blood brain barrier, increase other neurotransmitters, inhibit cholesterol, help liver detoxify cancercausing chemicals, kill damadged, defieicnt cells, cancer. Some can bind directly to the CB1 receptor.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): Major phytocannabinoid primarily attaches to CB1 receptors, in low doses anti-anxiety, but can increase anxiety in a strong or pure form THC such as with synthetic THC. Degrades to CBN. Psycohactive component of euphoria and perspective. Opens air passages in asthma, anti-seizure & spasm, anti-depression, anti-pain, treats migraine, however high doses may cause pain in spinal injuries. Protects brain cells and most current proven medical effects.

Tetrohydrocannabivarin (THCV): Antagonizes THC at CB1 receptor but is psychoactive like THC, from southeast Asian and African sativa strains, clear high intense and long lasting, mutation or rare variant of cannabinoids from CBGV line. They have high levels of THC and CBD, stains have been tested as high as 53% THCV.

Tyrosine: Amino acid supplement, found in cheese . Precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, thyroid hormones, melanin & endogenous opiods (natural painkillers). Too high doses can decrease levels but is helpful in those under stress.

Tyrptophan (Tryptan): Natural precursor of serotonin, melatonin . Amino acid, sleep aid. Found in cheddar and parmesan cheese, meat, sesame and sunflower seed, egg, wheat flower, egg, white wheat flour.

Vanilloid receptor: Closely related to cannabinoid receptors, many endocannabinoids can bind to it. Hot chili peppers or capsaicin usually bids here. Gate pain responses.

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