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  • Cannabinoid receptor: The receptor in the brain that recognizes anandamide and THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. [5]
  • Cannabinoids: Chemicals that help control mental and physical processes when produced naturally by the body and that produce intoxication and other effects when absorbed from marijuana. [1]
  • Cannabis: The botanical name for the plant from which marijuana comes. [5]
  • Carcinogen: Any substance that causes cancer. [1]
  • Cardiovascular system: The heart and blood vessels. [2]
  • Cell body (or soma): The central structure of a neuron, which contains the cell nucleus. The cell body contains the molecular machinery that regulates the activity of the neuron. [5]
  • Central nervous system: The brain and spinal cord. [5]
  • Cerebellum: A portion of the brain that helps regulate posture, balance, and coordination. [5]
  • Cerebral cortex: Region of the brain responsible for cognitive functions including reasoning, mood, and perception of stimuli. [4]
  • Cerebral hemispheres: The two specialized halves of the brain. The left hemisphere is specialized for speech, writing, language, and calculation; the right hemisphere is specialized for spatial abilities, face recognition in vision, and some aspects of music perception and production. [5]
  • Cerebrum: The upper part of the brain consisting of the left and right hemispheres. [5]
  • Chloroform: A colorless volatile liquid used as a medical anesthetic gas. [9]
  • Chronic: Refers to a disease or condition that persists over a long period of time. [5]
  • Coca: The plant, Erythroxylon, from which cocaine is derived. Also refers to the leaves of this plant. [6]
  • Cocaethylene: A substance created in the body when cocaine and alcohol are used together; chemically similar to cocaine. [6]
  • Cocaine: A highly addictive stimulant drug derived from the coca plant that produces profound feelings of pleasure. [5]
  • Crack: "Slang" term for a smokeable form of cocaine. [6]
  • Craving: A powerful, often uncontrollable desire for drugs. [3]
  • Cyclohexyl nitrite: A chemical found in substances marketed as room deodorizers. [9]
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  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Marijuana Abuse, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/Marijuana6.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 02-3859. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. October 2002.
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Steroid Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Steroids/anabolicsteroids5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-3721. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1991. Reprinted 1994, 1996. Revised April 2000.
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Nicotine Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/nicotine/nicotine5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 01-4342. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed July, 1998. Reprinted August 2001.
  4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report-Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/hallucinogens/halluc5.html:
    NIH Pub. No. 01-4209. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed March 2001.
  5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Curriculum/HSCurriculum.html:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-4871. Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 2000.
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Cocaine Abuse and Addiction, Glossary
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Cocaine/cocaine5.html#glossary:
    NIH Pub. No. 99-4342, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed May 1999. Revised November 2004
  7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/ritalin.html:
  8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA InfoFacts: Drug Abuse and AIDS
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/drugabuse.html:
  9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Report- Inhalants Abuse
    http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Inhalants/:
    NIH Pub. No. 00-3818, Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Printed 1994, Reprinted 1996, 1999. Revised July, 2000, Revised 2005