Cannabis Research A-Z

Published in the June 2016 issue of Nature, the study found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, and other active cannabis compounds could block the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Partial agonist - doesn’t activate receptor fully, may “hog” receptors, blocking full agonists

Pathogenesis - the origin and development of a disease

Peptide - string a bunch of peptides together, and you get a protein

Periaqueductal gray - the brain’s the primary control center for reducing pain

Peripheral nervous system ( PNS) - the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord

Peritoneal - pertaining to the peritoneum that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity

Phagocyte - a “clean-up crew” cell that “eats” harmful foreign particles, bacteria, and dead cells

Phagocytosis - When a phagocyte “eats” a bacteria or other object by engulfing it

Phenotype - the genetic traits that you can see

Phytocannabinoid - a cannabinoid produced by a plant – THC and CBD are examples

Phyto - referring to plants

Phytochemical - a compound produced by a plant

Pleiotropic - producing many effects, especially when referring to genes

Podocyte - a kidney cell that filters blood

Polymorphism - having more than one form, different phenotypes in genes

Porcine - pertaining to pigs

Prions - they cause Mad Cow Disease

Proteolysis - the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids

Proteotoxicity - toxicity caused by proteins, usually by misfolded proteins

Pruritus – chronic itchiness

Psychoactive - will get you high

Psychotropic - will get you high