No abstract

One of the most current discussions these days is about the benefits of using the medicinal plant Cannabis sativa, generally known as marijuana or cannabis. Studies have been proving the effectiveness of cannabidiol as a therapeutic resource in psychic disorders, such as anxiety, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Latter, is a chronic disorder that occurs mainly in childhood and adolescence, characterized by excessive and abnormal activity of brain cells. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the applicability of Cannabidiol against the symptoms of epilepsy, being a retrospective review from articles published in the period of 2014 to 2018. In 2001, studies demonstrated the efficacy of cannabidiol in the treatment of seizures in children. Unlike the adverse side effects of current antiepileptic drugs, such as dizziness and vomiting, the effects of cannabidiol are almost nonexistent, in both short and long term use. The mechanism of action of cannabidiol is given by activating Cannabidiol receptors (CB1 and CB2) that coupled to an inhibitory G protein acts on the receptors by inhibiting synaptic transmission by blocking voltagedependent calcium-activated potassium channels. In this context, cannabidiol (CBD) exerts its anticonvulsive function through neuroprotective mechanisms or through neural excitation/inhibition balance. Thus, it is believed that the endocannabinoid system can inhibit episodes of seizures. Studies indicate that this active substance should be used with a vaporizer to reduce the harmful effects of smoke, as well as its use in oil, especially for children and adolescents. Therefore, research has shown that Cannabidiol has broad therapeutic potential in central nervous system disorders, but further studies should be performed, both for the confirmation of these pharmacological effects and for proper approval in the treatment of seizures.

No abstract

L-theanine is a non-protein amino acid, derived from L-glutamic acid, commonly found in the plant Camellia sinensis and contains bioactive substances, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This amino acid can be obtained by chemical synthesis or tea isolation. It was commercially developed due to its promising effects of promoting relaxation and feeling of well-being. In oral administration, L-theanine is absorbed through the intestinal tract and, soon a large amount in the blood flows to the brain through the blood-brain barrier. Theanine (C7H14N2O3) is metabolised in the kidneys to glutamic acid and ethylamine. Its main targets are glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine and serotonin, impacting to a certain extent on neurochemical levels. According to studies, after 15 minutes of oral administration of 200mg, brain activity is influenced by the stimulation of alpha wave production. This form of administration can help anxious people to concentrate in their daily tasks and the continuous intake can increase brain levels of dopamine and GABA, explaining the feeling of relaxation. The action of L-theanine also suggests that it may cause a modulation of the effects of caffeine and thereby lower cortisol levels. This review intends to analyze the effects of L-theanine and its interaction with the central nervous system, relating it to anxiolytic effects and decrease of stress levels, in order to confirm a pattern of change between physiological indices after ingestion.

Cannabis sativa is an Asian plant worldwide known as "marijuana", currently the drug most used among young and adults. It began to be studied from 1960, focusing on the compounds present in the drug, as well as its physiological effects. The use of its active constituents cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been discussed by science due to its therapeutic properties in the fight against diseases such as anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and psychoses. Also, THC has analgesic effects and has been widely used in post-chemotherapy medicine, immunosuppressive diseases and marijuana use disorder. The purpose of this present review is to discuss and question the viability and efficacy of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) against marijuana drug dependence observed in users. Its functionality is not known for sporadic users. The application for the treatment of addiction taking advantage of one of its most abundant components, the THC, allows the user not to experience severely symptoms of abstinence. There are recent studies using Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to combat the overuse of marijuana, by giving serial doses of THC associated or not with drugs, in order to induce less harmful effects of "pleasure" and decrease the number of implications of smoking the herb itself. It is known that abstinence to Cannabis sativa is due to the cannabinoid THC because of its various connections to the central nervous system, however, it only presents such symptoms when it is in the body in a concentration between or greater than 80-210 mg per day, thus, the purpose of the studies is to obtain the ideal dose for the treatment of individuals seeking to quit the use disorder.