Cannabinoids - some basics

Cannabis sativa is a biofactory

The plant genus cannabis is closely related to hops and belongs to the hemp family. These include eleven genera with around 170 species. Cannabis sativa is the scientific name for the plant, which many also know as hemp, marijuana, grass, ganja, weed or under other names. It can often be distinguished by name, whether a potent plant or a fiber plant is meant. In any case, cannabinoids are included.

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Hemp or fiber hemp is used for non-potent cannabis. Hemp, marijuana, grass, ganja or weed are used for potent, ie THC-containing cannabis. Just like cannabis, hemp is used for the raw material plant and the higher THC content. This tetrahydrocannabinol belongs to the group of cannabinoids and is currently the only phytocannabinoid which has been shown to induce the high.

In total, at least 113 phytocannabinoids were discovered in the cannabis plant, which could not yet be detected in any other plants. It is also partly a question of definition, whether it is a cannabinoid, a terpene or both. Cannabinoids belong to the group of terpene phenols. The group of terpenes is listed separately elsewhere.

Many of the phytocannabinoids do not occur in the mature flowers, or only in small traces. So far, only the THC, or some forms of tetrahydrocannabinol attributed to the disgusting noise effect. It is not known or proven that this tetrahydrocannabinol can cause severe physical dependence. When a strong consumer ceases to consume from one day to the next, he has quite a few sleepless nights ahead of him and certainly a bad mood. These points, however, are a habituation, not a physical addiction. A "must smoking " is a medical necessity or a mental addiction. Furthermore, there is no known case worldwide, where someone has "died" because it would hardly be possible in practical life.

Source: by my own

Cannabinoids in medicine

For thousands of years, cannabis has been used by humans medically or for pleasure, but above all as a textile, raw material and food crop. Accordingly, it should already be around 2700 BC. Written records in China have given. The Chinese look back on a very long culture, which at the same time researched medicine at a very early stage, in which cannabis should not be missing.

The region of origin of cannabis can be described as Central Asia in the area of ​​Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia and China. Cannabis sativa L. has been native to large regions of Central Asia for at least 12,000 years and has conquered the whole world thanks to its positive qualities thanks to the migratory and acting people.

Until the time of the ban on cannabis, which spread around the world from about 1936 with the propaganda film "Reefer Madness" from the USA, drugs with cannabinoids or cannabis extracts for medical purposes were offered. As a fiber plant, cannabis was and is so important that it is even grown throughout the world. e.g. Water pipes are sealed with hemp fibers and are in the opinion of many craftsmen not equivalent substitutable.

At the same time, the medical effectiveness of cannabinoids is one reason why many people do not even stop smoking under penalty of punishment. Many did not know that cannabis helps them medically and really thought that they are simply drug addicts and do not treat their ailments, but numb them. Others were well aware of the medical efficacy of being able to talk to their parents and grandparents about what they once considered commonplace. It is precisely this medicinal effectiveness that is now being rediscovered and is the reason why cannabis is perceived as "more normal" and is again commonplace.

Source: by my own

Different cannabinoids have different effects

Research on cannabinoids is still in its infancy. Once people just tried everything and knew afterwards, which herb works in which condition or in which application form. Today you have to research and understand all this, because this approach is unsafe for sick people. Even cannabis can only be safely used as a medicine if it has been researched - according to the thesis.

It was Raphael Mechoulam, who began researching cannabis and its ingredients from 1960 and pioneered many other researchers. With his colleagues, he was able to isolate the first cannabinoids and prove it. In 1963 he discovered CBD, 1964 THC. These are phytocannabinoids, which are among the exogenous cannabinoids. Around 25 to 30 years later, he and his team discovered the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) with its CB-1 and CB-2 receptors has also been detected in the human body. This endocannabinoid system is why cannabinoids can have an effect on humans. Likewise, there is an endogenous opioid system (EOS) that makes opiates affect humans. Again, the body releases endogenous opiates, which occupy important functions.

Raphael Mechoulam made the start, with which further cannabinoids were isolated and thus discovered, in order to better explore them. CBD and THC are the best-known and most widely-researched cannabinoids, which are also found in marijuana flowers at high concentrations of several percent. These cannabinoids complement each other partly in their effect or influence each other. They can, however, also act in opposite directions.

However, there are at least 113 phytocannabinoids discovered only in Cannabis sativa. Other phytocannabinoids have also been discovered in other plants. Synthetic cannabinoids are not discovered, but created. So far, there are already hundreds of synthetic cannabinoids. There are also some endogenous cannabinoids. Of several hundred cannabinoids, several dozen are likely to be medically effective.

At appropriate concentrations, these cannabinoids may also be medically as important as CBD and THC. These other cannabinoids can also complement each other, influence one another or act counter to one another. It is safe to say that not every cannabinoid is generally good for every disease. For example, too pure and too concentrated THC can promote anxiety, psychotic states or epileptic seizures, but CBD would counteract this. On the other hand, if the appetite is to be stimulated, high doses of CBD would be counterproductive, here THC would be decisive.

Source: By my own