Weed affects everyone differently, but how do opioid receptors affect THC?

Cannabis isn’t for everyone, no matter what strain or cannabinoid, topical or gummy you try. Weed can hit everyone with different effects, whether the strain is high in THC or CBG or limonene or myrcene. Varying highs from THC are old news even for casual users, but the role played by opioid receptors is unanimously less understood.

A team of researchers looked for genetic factors that might explain some subjective effects of THC. 70 cannabis users with 52 regular users completed a study and genetic testing. Funded by grants from Canopy, an opioid receptor took center stage because of a particular discovery.

Locks and keys with cannabinoids and opioids

Cannabinoid receptors and the entire biological system in all vertebrae are known as locks, and cannabis-specific ingredients are a keychain. Typically, different endocannabinoid tones are the prime suspect behind different consumer reports for a strain. However, subjectivity towards the effects of a strain penetrates deeper into the body than just the endocannabinoid system.

Biological locks of many kinds are found throughout living systems, and each opens with a different key. Opioid receptors are not only a primary biological lock, they also alter psychedelic drugs and promote opiate addiction. Interestingly, a Controlled Substances and Cannabis Directorate for Health Canada, along with colleagues from the University of Toronto, contributed to the study.

Opioid receptor binding and THC subjectivity

Without mentioning terpenes or the hypothetical entourage effect, researchers focused on THC and activation of the cannabinoid receptor CB1. In each case, a specific opioid receptor has a significant impact on how the same weed bud affects everyone differently.

A bond known as a heterodimer can be formed between CB1 and the opioid receptor MU1. However, dopamine signaling is blocked when MU1 forms this bond. Furthermore, positive associations with cannabis were significantly reduced when MU1 collaborated with CB1 receptors in mice. It has therefore been proposed that cannabis reward responses are driven by CB1 receptors through dopamine signaling. MU1 is one of the conductors of the dance of effects of cannabis.

The opioid receptor MU1 moderates THC’s reward response by blocking dopamine. However, if we leave this as a conclusion, two critical points are skipped entirely. A subjective need for increased endocannabinoid tones is a determining factor, particularly with anandamide and 2-AG. But there’s also the fact that another cannabinoid receptor, CB2, drives dopamine signaling in the brain’s reward system more than CB1.

A joint, a process and a genetic study

Completing the researcher’s study, 70 consumers abstained from cannabis for two days before smoking a 0.75 gram joint in a controlled and ventilated environment. Cannabis used 12.5% ​​THC buds provided by Aurora in this Health Canada study.

The subjects then completed a survey to describe their subjective response to the action of the joint. A blood sample was taken from each volunteer to analyze THC levels, which was added to genetic testing and testing. And while specific opioid receptor-producing genes affected the results, some significantly, the study also focused on cannabis use disorder (CUD).

Interestingly, Health Canada Principal Bruna Brands happens to be well versed in cannabis impairments and driving literature.

CUD vs IBD

Coming back to the CB2 receptors that researchers at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the UofT missed in this study. In addition to the earlier point about dopamine, CB2 receptors are also known to signal opioid endorphins. And it’s now well established that more than one genetic condition causes a deficient endocannabinoid system. The role that CB2 receptor density plays alongside endorphin production in subjective cannabis experiences deserves immediate investigation.

Researchers hypothesize that opioid antagonists may help with cannabis use disorders, but this distorts the meaning of clinical deficiencies in the endocannabinoid system (IBD).

Do you think weed affects everyone differently? How does consuming weed make you feel? Have you ever noticed different behaviors in your smoking buddies? Please share your comments below and don’t forget to follow us @cannalifenet.

Show your work

• rs510769 T, ​​a single nucleotide polymorphism, had the only positive associations with subjective cannabis use and blood THC concentrations of three OPMR1 SNPs examined.
• Among other COIs, primary researcher Dr. Le Foll received medical cannabis from Aurora as a gift and a medical donation from Pfizer and Bioprojet.