HOW ARE MARIJUANA AND DOPAMINE LINKED?
Did you know that marijuana affects the endocannabinoid system and inhibits the production of GABA? It’s possible! But did you know that marijuana also affects dopamine? Keep reading to learn more about the effects of marijuana on your body! After all, it’s one of the most widely used drugs on the planet. Marijuana affects dopamine levels in your brain!
Dopamine Is A Neurotransmitter
Marijuana affects the brain by influencing the levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. The source of dopamine is the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra pars compacta. Heavy marijuana users kill these cells, leading to lowered dopamine levels. This may lead to diseases like Parkinson’s disease, where patients must take drugs to restore dopamine levels.
Dopamine is produced by specialized cells and is stored in synaptic vesicles that merge with the cell membranes. The synaptic vesicles allow neurons to safely release the chemical. Once an action potential is received, neurons lie in wait for a signal to trigger a release of dopamine. Dopamine travels across the synaptic cleft and binds to one of five subtypes of dopamine receptors.
Dopamine is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the human body, and is responsible for the regulation of pleasure and emotion. Illicit drugs such as marijuana work on the pleasure pathway and can make the user dependent on the drug. Cannabis has been shown to affect dopamine levels in the brain indirectly, despite the fact that cannabinoids do not directly interact with neurons. They affect the endocannabinoid system, which modifies the activity of other neurotransmitters and thereby affect dopamine levels.
It Is Produced By Marijuana
When people smoke hybrid cannabis, dopamine levels rise. The chemical THC binds with CB1 receptors in the brain and activates the dopamine system. The dopamine rush is temporary, and this euphoria is attributed to marijuana’s effects on the brain’s reward system. Marijuana also affects GABA, a chemical that has cannabinoid receptors.
In addition to the dopamine-producing effects of cannabis, the chemical THC also produces a relaxing and euphoric effect in the body. Marijuana is a plant with many different cannabinoids, but THC is the one that gives people a high. Although THC can easily enter the bloodstream, its effects may take several hours to wear off. Marijuana users may even need several hours to become fully sober.
While dopamine is necessary for survival, too much of it may cause depression or worsen the symptoms of mental disorders. Too much dopamine is linked to schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. Marijuana can cause addiction by affecting the dopamine levels in the brain. This effect is believed to be caused by marijuana’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system.
It Affects The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors and chemical signals throughout the body. These receptors, which are commonly referred to as “cannabinoids,” are concentrated in the central nervous system and are involved in regulating appetite, pain, learning, and memory. By regulating the activity of the endocannabinoid system, researchers can treat many diseases, from pain to psychiatric disorders, cancer, and even cachexia.
There is growing evidence to show that the endocannabinoid receptor, also known as PPARg, is essential to maintaining overall health. Unlike other hormones and bioactive compounds, endocannabinoids cannot be stored or used for later. Their effects are also limited, since they do not travel far. Instead, they cling to the receptors on cells.
It Inhibits The Production Of GABA
Cannabis affects two important signaling molecules in the brain, glutamate and GABA. These two neurotransmitters are involved in 80% of brain cell communications. This means that cannabis can have a profound effect on the production of GABA. Because GABA is important for anxiety, it’s easy to see how cannabis could have a detrimental effect on your overall health. This substance can also trigger a feeling of panic or anxiety.
Cannabis, caffeine, and glutamate have all been linked to altered brain functions. The effects of cannabis and caffeine have also been studied molecularly. While cannabis increases GABA levels, caffeine decreases GABA receptor interactions and changes the density of GABA receptors. While these effects are significant, they should be interpreted in the context of other factors. It’s possible that marijuana causes increased GABA levels in the brain, and caffeine could increase glutamate levels.
