Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Detection And Characterization Of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol And Novel Synthetic Cannabinoid Metabolites Using Human Liver Microsomes, Seema Murugan

Honors Theses

Marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids are the most commonly used and trafficked illicit drug. ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary active compound in marijuana. Synthetic cannabinoids were created as a method to study the effects of cannabinoids on the endocannabinoid system, which consists of endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and the synthetic and degrading enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids. Cannabinoids activate the same receptors as endocannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoids gained popularity as recreational drugs due to their ability to avoid detection. Synthetic cannabinoids have been found to have a greater binding affinity to the cannabinoid CB₁ receptor …