Natural and synthetic cannabinoids. Mechanism of action, drug addiction and associated risk factors

It has been shown that the grass, stems, leaves and inflorescences of wild and cultivated cannabis[1] contain cannabinoids, which, like synthetic cannabinoids, have a hallucinogenic effect. The continuing increase in the abuse of hallucinogens from the group of natural and synthetic cannabinoids among young people, the widespread use of cultivated and wild cannabis, as well as the medical use of cannabinoids as drugs in the treatment of cancer and mental disorders, pose a risk of developing mental dependence and the prevalence of drug addiction in society. It is indicated that among drug addicts and youth, the names cannabis[1], marijuana[1] and hashish[1] refer to drugs made from cannabis[1] herb (Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica). Due to the fact that cannabinoids are not destroyed by high temperature (they do not burn in fire) and hydrochloric acid of gastric juice, they retain a hallucinogenic effect when inhaled as part of smoke and ingested as part of extracts. Most often, the cannabis is used to produce smoking mixtures known as spice, aroma mix, macon, as well as resin known as hashish[1]. Hashish and the glandular trichomes of the flowering tops of female cannabis plants contain more cannabinoids than other cannabis[1] plant products. It is indicated that inhalation of smoke from smoking mixtures into the body and enteral administration of liquid cannabis[1]extract causes drug addicts to improve their mood and allow them to have fun. The main cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It has been shown that after inhaling smoke with natural or synthetic cannabinoids, the narcotic effect in drug addicts begins to develop after 15–20 s, reaches its maximum value after 10–30 min and lasts up to 1–3 h, but can be prolonged by repeated smoke inhalation (smoking). After ingestion of cannabinoids in effective doses, the narcotic effect can begin to develop after 30–60 min, after which it usually reaches a maximum after 1.5–2.0 h and lasts up to 6 h (sometimes longer). At the same time, a person experiences dizziness, weakness throughout the body, auditory and visual hallucinations, loses coordination in movements and the ability to think correctly. [1] A substance prohibited in the Russian Federation.