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openmind said:


....I've noticed there's been times that I've become much more stoned than friends while smoking more or less the same amount. Generally I am a bit more sensitive to "drugs" than most...But, after doing a little bit of research I've come to the conclusion that the Ginkgo is playing a major roll in this...


I've found out that Ginkgo contains a powerful inhibitor of P450 enzymes. Guess what enzymes THC and most (if not all?) cannabinoids are metabolized by?...P450 enzymes. Specifically CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 which Ginkgo inhibits....

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The Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 was tested for its ability to inhibit the major human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). The full extract was found to strongly inhibit CYP2C9 (Ki = 14+/- 4 microg/mL), and to a lesser extent, CYP1A2 (Ki = 106 +/- 24 microg/mL), CYP2E1 (Ki = 127 +/- 42 microg/mL), and CYP3A4 (Ki = 155 +/- 43 microg/mL). The terpenoidic and flavonoidic fractions of the extract were tested separately against the same P450s to identify the source of inhibition by EGb761. The terpenoidic fraction inhibited only CYP2C9 (Ki = 15 +/-6 microg/mL) whereas the flavonoidic fraction of EGb761 showed high inhibition of CYP2C9, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 (Ki's between 4.9 and 55 microg/mL). The flavonoidic fraction was further fractionated using extraction and chromatography. Inhibition studies indicated that the majority of these fractions inhibited P450s at a significant level (IC50 < 40 microg/mL).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15147983

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THC is metabolized mainly to 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-THC) by the human body. This metabolite is still psychoactive and is further oxidized to 11-Nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH). In humans and animals, more than 100 metabolites could be identified, but 11-OH-THC and THC-COOH are the dominating metabolites. Metabolism occurs mainly in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4.

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Anyway, thought I would share that with you all...



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Perhaps the effects of these enzyme inhibitors would be more noticeable from consuming cannabis orally? Another thing that came to mind, I'm not positive but I think the metabolite of THC may possibly be more "potent" than THC itself. So there for inhibiting the enzyme that metabolizes THC could slow down the process of of changing THC into this (more potent) metabolite, making a decrease in effects?....





I'm really curious about this, I'm rather sensitive to most substances but I'm also very observant in subtle differences in effects I experience...From my experience, I most definitely think there is an increase in the half life of THC (and probably most cannabinoids) from Ginkgo...So simply put, yes it seems like the high does last noticeably longer.




*I've been taking Ginkgo for 2 years or so, with a month long break every 3-4 months. And I do smoke daily, with a relatively low tolerance as I generally only smoke 0.1g to 0.3g a day.







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Carcass said:
...Ginkgo Biloba is a stimulative as far as I know, helps the brain to focus on more healty. I don't think it is suitable for lengthen your "Stoned Period".

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Technically it's not a stimulant. In a pharmacological sense it doesn't work like your classical stimulants (Caffeine, ephederine, etc...)...

Really when it comes down to it, physically, the only thing that ginkgo does is dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow through out the body. But as a result of this most people notice enhanced concentration & focus, as well as memory over time. It could also be said that it boosts stamina a bit, perhaps gives some energy in a way.


I do think it is suitable for prolonging the effects of cannabis. Not from it's common vasodilator properties, but the fact that it contains some potent enzyme inhibitors....








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