Cannabis Knowledge Library
Medical Cannabis - A Brief Introduction
The cannabis plant has been around for centuries. It is believed to have originated in Central Asia, but has expanded its reach to an international scale over time. People all around the globe consume cannabis and their reasoning is largely the same: it makes them feel better. We know that humans have cannabinoid receptors housed inside the body that are ready to bind with cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant to provide therapeutic benefits for a variety of ailments. In fact, cannabinoid receptors are present in humans before birth and the compounds themselves are even found in a mother’s breast milk. Medical cannabis gains merit when you consider our bodies are naturally tuned to interact with cannabinoids, and even more so when you acknowledge the growing evidence of benefits to cannabis consumption. So lets start with the basics by looking at the two types of Cannabis and how they differ.
Indica vs Sativa: The Difference Between Cannabis Types?
You’ve probably heard that cannabis is divided into two main categories: Indica vs Sativa strains. But what is the difference between Indica and Sativa plants? Both indicas and sativas are psychoactive varieties of the cannabis plant. That is, an indica or sativa will get you high. But weed connoisseurs distinguish between the two because sativa vs indica effects can be extremely different. This largely has to do with their origin stories. Indica strains originated in colder, mountainous climates (think Afghanistan and northern India) and sativas originated in more sweltering equatorial zones.
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Indica’s tend to result in a more relaxing, sedating high. It’s commonly used in the evening to unwind, often promoting sleepiness. Medicinally, indica is known to treat anxiety and insomnia. Some experts suggest that indica’s high CBD content is what’s responsible for its anti-anxiety properties. Whatever the case may be, indica is what you want if you just want to stay home and kick back. Sativa creates
Both Indica and Sativa are popular
a more energized, wakeful high than indica. Users report feeling creative and adventurous when under its influence. It’s this stimulant-like effect that makes sativa a common choice for use in the daytime. From a therapeutic standpoint, sativa is particularly useful for treating fatigue and depression. Its ability to inspire action in users makes it ideal for this purpose.
for treating medical conditions but different strains are chosen for different symptom management. Expert product formulators have the experience to know which combinations work best for what condition.
Basic understanding of Cannabinoids
Cannabis is a healing plant with many proven benefits. Used with expert guidance, it is a completely natural and safe remedy for a wide range of conditions. In your research, you will come across the term ‘cannabinoids’. You may also read about terms such as THC and CBD, which are types of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in cannabis flowers (the plant) which imitate compounds that our bodies produce naturally, called endocannabinoids – read more about the endocannaboid system here. These compounds, if
activated, maintain internal stability and health; in other words, they help with the communication between cells. When there is a problem in our endocannabinoid system, then you will experience unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, pain and depression.
Types of cannabinoids
All classes derive from cannabigerol-type compounds and differ mainly in the way this precursor is cyclised. The classical cannabinoids are derived from their respective 2-carboxylic acids (2-COOH) by decarboxylation (catalyzed by heat, light, or alkaline conditions).
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC, THC) and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), mimic the action of anandamide, a neurotransmitter produced naturally in the body. These two THCs produce the effects associated with cannabis by binding to the CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC appears to ease moderate pain (analgesic) and to be neuroprotective, while also offering the potential to reduce neuro inflammation and to stimulate neurogenesis. THC has approximately equal affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Cannabinol (CBN) is the primary product of THC degradation, and there is usually little of it in a fresh plant. CBN content increases as THC degrades in storage, and with exposure to light and air. It is only mildly psychoactive. Its affinity to the CB2 receptor is higher than for the CB1 receptor.
Cannabinol (CBN)
Although Cannabidivarin (CBDV) is usually a minor constituent of the cannabinoid profile, enhanced levels of CBDV have been reported in feral cannabis plants from the northwest Himalayas, and in hashish from Nepal.
Cannabidivarin (CBL)
Cannabidiol (CBD) is not psychoactive, and was thought not to affect the psychoactivity of THC. However, recent evidence shows that smokers of cannabis with a higher CBD/THC ratio were less likely to experience schizophrenia-like symptoms. Cannabidiol has little affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors but acts as an indirect antagonist of cannabinoid agonists. Recently it was found to be an antagonist at the putative new cannabinoid receptor, GPR55, a GPCR expressed in the caudate nucleus and putamen. Cannabidiol has also been shown to act as a 5-HT1A receptor agonist. It appears to relieve convulsion, inflammation, anxiety, and nausea. CBD has a greater affinity for the CB2 receptor than for the CB1 receptor. CBD shares a precursor with THC and is the main cannabinoid in low-THC Cannabis strains. CBD apparently plays a role in preventing the short-term memory loss associated with THC in mammals. Some research suggests that the antipsychotic effects of cannabidiol potentially represent a novel mech- anism in the treatment of schizophrenia. Researchers at California Pacific Medical Center discovered CBD’s ability to ‘turn off’ the activity of ID1, the gene responsible for metastasis in breast and other types of cancers, including the particularly aggressive triple negative breast cancer.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is prevalent in certain central Asian and southern African strains of cannabis. It is an antagonist of THC at CB1 receptors and attenuates the psychoactive effects of THC.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
Cannabichromene (CBC) is non-psychoactive and does not affect the psychoactivity of THC. More common in tropical cannabis varieties. Effects include anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
