CB1 and VR1 receptors may regulate neurogenesis

[LawnBoy]

CB1-knockout mice display significantly decreased hippocampal neurogenesis, suggesting that CB1 receptors activated by endogenous, plant-derived, or synthetic cannabinoids may promote hippocampal neurogenesis.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2641371/chronic_high_doses_of_cannabinoids.html?cat=58

CB1 and VR1 receptors both seem to have roles in regulating adult neurogenesis.

Defective Adult Neurogenesis in CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Knockout Mice

Pharmacological studies suggest a role for CB1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in regulating neurogenesis in the adult brain. To investigate this possibility, we measured neurogenesis by intraperitoneal injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), which labels newborn neurons, in wild-type and...

molpharm.aspetjournals.org

Just doing some research. Man, I love google.

 

[RealAwareness]

So what are the implications of this? That smoking pot makes you smarter? Heh. I gave up pot years ago. Might have to reconsider that decision 8)

 

[LawnBoy]

The functional relevance of adult neurogenesis is uncertain[12], but there is some evidence that hippocampal adult neurogenesis is important for learning and memory[13]. Multiple mechanisms for the relationship between increased neurogenesis and improved cognition have been suggested, including computational theories to demonstrate that new neurons increase memory capacity,[14] reduce interference between memories,[15] or add information about time to memories.[16] Experiments aimed at ablating neurogenesis have proven inconclusive, but several studies have proposed neurogenic-dependence in some types of learning.[17] and others seeing no effect[18] Studies have demonstrated that the act of learning itself is associated with increased neuronal survival.[19] However, the overall findings that adult neurogenesis is important for any kind of learning are equivocal.

Neurogenesis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Adult-born neurons appear to have a role in the regulation of stress. Studies have linked neurogenesis to the beneficial actions of specific antidepressants, suggesting a connection between decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and depression.

Neurogenesis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Reinforcing drugs such as amphetamines and opiates induce behavioral sensitization upon repeated administration by inducing dopaminergic neurogenesis in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc)... The consequences of these actions are potentiated reward responses and therefore increased drug cravings and consumption which underlie abuse and addiction. Whether these mechanisms could be exploited for the purpose of enhancing basal hedonic tone is unknown.

Neurogenesis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It's very difficult to say what the implications are. Cannabis seems to inhibit memory and dreaming. I know memory and dreaming have some link. But what I don't understand is that, by knocking out the CB1 receptor one inhibits neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which has been linked to memory and learning. The studies do not say a thing about CB2 receptor and it's role. There are many different "drugs" in cannabis, besides ones that affect the CB1 and VR1 receptors, and that could be a factor. So, I really do not understand these findings.

I have noticed that, with the use of varenicline, I have increased dreaming and increased the vividness and intensity of dreams. Either, this is true or the recollection of dreams is MUCH easier, with the use of varenicline. I'm not sure which one. It's possible that I do dream when using cannabis daily, but that I don't remember them.

The use of piracetam, really helps, with all the "brain farts" and short-term memory loss caused by my daily cannabis use. By saying "really helps," I mean practically eliminates completely.

 

[Infundibulum]

The studies do not say a thing about CB2 receptor and it's role. There are many different "drugs" in cannabis, besides ones that affect the CB1 and VR1 receptors, and that could be a factor. So, I really do not understand these findings.

Well, not unsurprisingly since CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune system and not in the brain.

And what you do not understand about the study? They did not say anything about cannabis. What they did was an in vitro series of experiments culturing embryonic neural stem/progenitor cells in the presence of arachidonoylethanolamine (endogenous cannabinoid) or HU210 (a ligand for CB1) or nothing and reported that the arachidonoylethanolamine and HU210 promote neurogenesis. They did the same in vivo injecting the rats with HU210 and saw similar results.

Such studies little have to do with cannabis. their main scope is to find substances that promote neuroregeneration so that they can fight neurodegenerative diseases, like multiple sclerosis.

 

[LawnBoy]

The studies do not say a thing about CB2 receptor and it's role. There are many different "drugs" in cannabis, besides ones that affect the CB1 and VR1 receptors, and that could be a factor. So, I really do not understand these findings.

Well, not unsurprisingly since CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune system and not in the brain.

And what you do not understand about the study? They did not say anything about cannabis.

Yes, the ideas you pointed out, I did not take into consideration. Also, what I should have wrote was: "I don't understand how these findings relate to the use of cannabis, and all it's related chemicals, as a whole." As in, I really don't get why cannabis seems to affect memory negatively despite these findings. I do see, now, that one CANNOT easily relate these findings to actual daily use of cannabis. I did read somewhere something about how scientists knew that these "new" cells were integrated into regular use rather quickly, but not sure if they were used in the formation of "new" memories.

Thank you, Infundibulum, I love learning, even if it makes me feel stupid sometimes. Now, you got me looking into how CB2 receptors affect the immune system, etc. We live in a great time, when you have all this information at your fingertips.