Cannabis 101: What Are Cannabinoids?
One hefty word that belongs in every medical marijuana patient’s vocabulary is cannabinoid. Cannabinoids (e.g., THC and CBD) are the chemical compounds secreted by cannabis flowers that provide relief to an array of symptoms including pain, nausea, anxiety, and inflammation. These work their medicinal magic by imitating compounds our bodies naturally produce, called endocannabinoids, which activate to maintain internal stability and health. To put a complex system simply, they mediate communication between cells, and when there is a deficiency or problem with our endocannabinoid system, unpleasant symptoms and physical complications occur.
When cannabis is consumed, cannabinoids bind to receptor sites throughout our brain (receptors called CB-1) and body (CB-2). Different cannabinoids have different effects depending on which receptors they bind to. For example, THC binds to receptors in the brain whereas CBN (cannabinol) has a strong affinity for CB-2 receptors located throughout the body. Depending on a cannabis product’s cannabinoid profile, different types of relief are achievable.
THE MAIN CANNABINOIDS OF MARIJUANA:
CBN - A mildly-psychoactive cannabinoid that comes about from the degradation of THC, there is usually very little CBN in a fresh plant.
CBC - Bears structural similarity to the other natural cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, cannabidiol, and cannabinol, among others.
CBL - A non-psychotomimetic cannabinoid found in the Cannabis species.
THC - Most abundant and widely known cannabinoid in cannabis, THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the central psychoactive effect patients are familiar with.
THCV - Found larget quantities in Cannabis varieties indigenous to central Africa, like specific phenotypes from Malawi. It is currently being researched as a treatment for metabolic disorders including diabetes, as well as serving as a potential appetite suppressant.
CBD - Concerning the medical potential of cannabis, CBD may hold the most promise for many severe conditions. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is believed to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC.
MEDICAL BENEFITS OF CANNABINOIDS:
Cannabinoids -- the active chemicals in medical marijuana -- are similar to chemicals the body makes that are involved in appetite, memory, movement, and pain.
RESEARCH SUGGESTS CANNABINOIDS MIGHT:
Reduce anxiety
Reduce inflammation and relieve pain
Control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
Relax tight muscles in people with multiple sclerosis
Stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS
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