Still trying to decypher this sentence... 1) OK, people using an illegal drug are paranoid (frequently about getting caught) - got that part. 2) Ccraving of appetite - OK I understsand that too. Pass the beer nuts and slim jims - booze does it too. 3) "the fat soluble blood-brain crossing nature of this supposedly benign weed" - ?? Not sure what you mean here unless you are going to cite some research where they stuffed rats full of super-strong THC and the rats were all screwed up or something? Is that what you meant or am I missing something?
Cannabis, pot’s active component is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is a cannabinoid, as are other compounds like THC in nature and our bodies. Brain research has identified cannabinoid receptors in human brains. Cannabis has been identified having a role in schizophrenia, by activating expression of specific genes which are identified with the disease. Most cannabinoid-like molecules are fat-soluble, meaning they’re attracted to the lipid membranes of cells, and have trouble crossing the blood-brain barrier. The blood brain barrier is a separation of circulating blood and cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system. It is found along all capillaries and is made up of very tight areas around the capillaries in the brain that is not found in normal circulation. It is believed to be protective of the brain in this way. THC, the main active compound in marijuana, is a cannabinoid that does cross the blood brain barrier unlike natural brain cannabinoids. So, it crosses the barrier and has demonstrable effects on behaviour and also trigger gene expression in the process. The “dosing” of the gene markers differs in people, and so the studied effects.