Medical Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa)
Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis or marijuana, including constituents of cannabis THC and other cannabinoids, as a physician-recommended form of medicine or herbal therapy.
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Cannabis Sativa
Cannabis contains cannabinoids, the natural chemical component unique to and found within the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabinoids work with the endocannabinoid system, a subsystem of the CNS (central nervous system), by binding with specific receptors within the CNS. These receptors, CB1 and CB2, bind with the cannabinoids and send messages to your brain. Researchers have also found that CB1 also binds with a naturally occurring chemical in the brain called Amadmide. More chemicals specific to the endocannabinoid system are being found and researched as Medical Marijuana research is becoming legal in many states. To date most research has been with synthetic analogues (or fake cannabis) and has been met with critical review by real cannabis users. More research is happening in both recreational legal states and in medical use states. More research is needed.
Cannabinoid
Currently there are over 100 unique cannabinoids that have been identified. The simplest and most common way to classify cannabis is by psychoactivity. Some cannabinoids are psychoactive while other are non-psychoactive. The most commonly known cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) and Cannabidiols (CBD), research is currently underway with Cannabigerols(CBG), Cannabichromenes(CBC), Cannabinol(CBN), and Cannabinodiol (CBDL).
Non-Psychoactive
Cannabigerols (CBG)
Cannabichromenes (CBC)
Cannabidiols (CBD)
Psychoactive
Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC)
Cannabinol (CBN)
Cannabinodiol (CBDL)
Terpene
This is the aromatic oil produced by the cannabis sativa plant with undertones most closely related to citrus, beer, mint, or pine. Terpenes allow the cannabis user to identify key compounds similarly to human pheromones. It is also believed that terpenes have add medical value and are an argument for who plant extraction for concentrates, as they mediate our bodies interaction with therapeutic cannabinoids.
Cannabis Flavonoid
Flavonoids are found in many fruits and plants and throughout nature. Flavonoids give cannabis it’s character, texture, color, taste, aroma, etc. Cannabis flavonoids are a compound that comprise approximately 10% of the chemical makeup of the cannabis plant. There are approximately 20 of these compounds and are pharmacologically active and have shown indications that they have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antioxidant properties. Many researchers believe cannabis flavonoids have a synergistic relationship with the other chemicals found within the plant.
Entourage Effect in Cannabis
The idea that the individual compounds of the plant might not be individually significant or psychoactive; but collectively they have more significance ie and Entourage effect. This effect has not only shown to be true with THC and CBD, but other cannabinoids and flavonoids as well.
“This interactive synergy between cannabis compounds has been coined the “entourage effect,” and once you know what this is, you’ll see why medicines containing only THC or CBD aren’t always sufficient for many medical conditions. ”