Posted on 11/03/2014 4:12:12 PM PST by DBCJR
So WTF did he design it for?
Synthetic “pot” isn’t pot - it contains no cannibinoids (don’t ask me how to correctly spell it).
I suspect that the “legal” alternative is far, far, far more dangerous than the semi-illegal stuff
“So WTF did he design it for?”
To study receptor sites in animals and in cell cultures, not intended for people. There are lots of similar experimental chemicals used by neurobiologists. The ones that make you high get synthesized in little labs and sold, without testing, to people.
Still. Seems like an irresponsible bit if research to me.
To study neurotransmitter receptor function.
Always go natural, baby. ;-)
I have wondered why as well.
This article explains why it is a type of synthetic pot.
Are we to do no research with potential down sides?
The article didn’t really explain why synthetic cannabis was invented other than the vague “research purposes.” What have they researched using it? Any useful results? Why and how would researching a synthetic compound be relevant to the natural compound?
There is a researcher, David Nichols, who developed lots of probes for brain receptors and brain chemical modulators. he has to publish his results so that other researchers can learn.
He regrets some of the things he has made- when he made one series of agonist receptor probes, he had NO idea that idiots would copy the synthesis and sell the stuff. One series, the “dragonfly” series, wound up killing people.
At the time though, he and his staff were not thinking, gee I bet this will get you high for a week!
Like making a skinning knife then finding out some serial killer preferred it- good people don’t think like bad people do.
So why not just use the real McCoy? It's everywhere.
From the article I posted:
“Abstract
The N-1 alkyl side chain of the aminoalkylindole analogues (AAI) has been implicated as one of a three-point interaction with
the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. In this study, the morpholinoethyl of WIN 55,212-2 was replaced with carbon chains of varying
lengths ranging from a methyl to heptyl group. Additional groups were added to the naphthoyl and the C2 positions of the
molecule. These structural changes revealed that high affinity binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptors requires an alkyl chain length
of at least three carbons with optimum binding to both receptors occurring with a five carbon side chain. An alkyl chain of 36
carbons is sufficient for high affinity binding; however, extension of the chain to a heptyl group results in a dramatic decrease in
binding at both receptors. The unique structure of the cannabimimetic indoles provides a useful tool to define the ligand-receptor
interaction at both cannabinoid receptors and to refine proposed pharmacophore models. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
All rights reserved.”
They are playing with the structures to learn about the receptors. They’ll use this to design drugs that interact with brain receptors in new and controllable ways. Maybe a non-narcotic pain med that works better then morpheine.
Thanks. That’s far too technical for me and more importantly doesn’t fix the flaws in the original article which is what I was criticizing.
>Still. Seems like an irresponsible bit if research to me.
It’s actually very important research, as many of the receptors cause chemical reactions that could be very helpful with people that have mental issues (Some chemicals in cannabis oil greatly reduce childhood seizures).
The synthetic weed aspect is a pretty wild frontier. In the late 2000’s JWH and derivatives got isolated, and many of the ones that have reactions like THC, JWH-018, JWH-220, etc. got banned around 2010. As the isolation and banning continue, the synthetics get farther and farther away reaction-wise from THC. The stuff that they’re spraying on synthetic weed is DRASTICALLY different than the stuff sprayed on it even two years ago. The synthetic weed companies are basically importing the chemical en masse from Chinese labs, spraying the stuff on inert plant material, and praying that some dumb kid doesn’t kill himself.
It can cause death? What doesn’t?
What have they researched using it?
Details of how the brain works, by blocking certain signal receptors, that are control points or sockets for inputs.
Any useful results?
Yes, they can block specific brain “sockets” in a controllable way, what socket, and how much it is blocked. They can then design specific chemical tools.
Why and how would researching a synthetic compound be relevant to the natural compound?
The natural compound is what it is, and does what it does. By modifying the natural molecule you can figure out how it works, and make a better one. In the case of the article I lined, they change the length of a side chain and get more, or less, binding to a specific socket.
Say you have a key that works in a lock. By using a lockpick you can figure out how the lock works, and may either find a “master key” or find out how locks and keys work in detail, or find a better key (not the best analogy but close).
I’m not a pot smoker but just out of curiosity: how easy is it to distinguish the real from the synthetic. I don’t want kids smoking any of it but I hope they can steer clear of the obvious danger here.
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