The medical cannabis industry is in its infancy. Though cannabis has been used for thousands of years around the world by a variety of cultures, the plant itself has not been the subject of intensive study until recently.
Researchers have to this point identified more than 700 different chemical components in cannabis, but just four are produced in any significant quantity: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (cannabichromene). These are called phytocannabinoids.
Interestingly, the human body contains a system of neurotransmitters that matches the cannabinoids found in marijuana. Though scientists are still trying to identify its exact functions, the endocannabinoid system is believed to regulate important bodily functions like mood, memory, and appetite. When cannabis is ingested, its phytocannabinoids react with the body’s cannabinoid receptors to produce the plant’s unique effects.
THC is the best known among the phytocannabinoids, and is the compound that produces the “high†effect in cannabis. When THC enters the bloodstream, it binds to receptors in the brain to produce a psychoactive reaction. But that’s not all it does. THC also relieves pain, nausea, and inflammation, the primary reasons cannabis is popular among patients undergoing chemotherapy or those suffering from intestinal diseases like Crohn’s.
CBD is the most prevalent phytocannabinoid found in hemp, or a cannabis plant bred for industrial use. In fact, CBD was not found in any noticeable amount in marijuana strains until about 2009. Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating and is promoted in cannabis growth to counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC. There is evidence to suggest that the combination of THC and CBD works better for pain relief than a high-THC strain alone. In addition, CBD has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
CBG is present in only a few varieties of medical marijuana. Though CBG has not been tested as thoroughly as THC and CBD, preliminary research indicates it is an appetite stimulant and may be effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease. At least one breeder is growing cannabis plants with high CBG levels.
CBC is a phytocannabinoid found in the juvenile stage of the flowering process. So far, CBC has been found in a number of Central Asian cannabis strains, but may be present in others as well. Though further study is required, as of now CBC has shown antifungal and antibiotic properties, in addition to acting as an analgesic. Preliminary research also indicates that CBC may work as an anti-depressant.
These primary cannabinoids interact with one another to create the different experiences produced by the many hundreds of cannabis strains. In addition, researchers have identified terpenes, or the essential oil of cannabis, as contributing to what is known as the “entourage effect.†Working in concert with the cannabinoids, terpenes modulate the effects of THC and produce its distinctive scent. For instance, pinene, one of the 200 terpenes that have been identified, appears to counteract some of the short-term memory loss associated with THC. Other primary terpenes include limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene.
The hope is that researchers will be able to identify and isolate the various compounds in the cannabis plant in order to produce deliverable medicine, much like pharmacologists did with opium in the late 19th century. That research led to a number of important new drugs, including morphine and codeine.
At Heeyl we aim to connect all the dots and bring health, wellness, guidance, and research full circle. By deciphering the hundreds of cannabis strains and compounds via our database platform, we seek to provide expert guidance to our patients. The cannabis plant possesses the tremendous potential to heal. It is our responsibility to discover all of its properties in order to bring its salutary effects to a wider audience.
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