Tetrahydrocannabinol and acetylcholinesterase

Recent evidence suggests that the psychoactive effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), the major psychoactive constituent of marihuana, may be mediated through an alteration of cholinergic neurotransmission. One possible mechanism by which Δ⁹-THC could have its effect is by affecting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and there is evidence that has suggested that this may be an important mechanism. The results reported in the present study have shown that there is no physiologically important interaction between AChE and Δ⁹-THC or its metabolites that could explain its psychoactive effects or the profound clinical depression observed when human marihuana users are administered the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine.