Cannabinoids

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More than 400 active compounds have been isolated from the C sativa plant. Sixty active compounds are unique to the plant and are collectively known as cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannanbinol (THC) is the most psychoactive cannabinoid, producing euphoria, relaxation, intensification of ordinary sensory experiences, perceptual alterations, diminished pain, and difficulties with memory and concentration.

Special Precautions of Cannabinoids

  • Acute cannabis toxicity results in difficulty with coordination, decreased muscle strength, decreased hand steadiness, postural hypotension, lethargy, decreased concentration, slowed reaction time, slurred speech, and conjunctival injection.
  • Large doses of THC may produce confusion, amnesia, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, and agitation, but most episodes remit rapidly. Long-term users may experience paranoia, panic disorder, fear, or dysphoria.
  • There is little evidence on the extent of risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes among cannabis users with pre-existing conditions.
  • See also : Cannabis Sativa

Health benefits and uses of Cannabinoids

Cannabis preparations have been used to relieve nausea, improve appetite and reduce pain for thousands of years. The development of synthetic drugs in the 20th century supplanted these and other herbal remedies, but in the past several decades there has been a resurgence of interest in using cannabis and cannabinoid preparations for medical purposes.

  • There is evidence from controlled trials that cannabinoids are effective in relieving nausea and vomiting, alleviating acute pain and improving appetite in people with HIV-related disorders. In 2001, the Canadian government responded to demands to allow medical use of smoked cannabis, if authorized by a doctor, among patients experiencing severe symptoms related to cancer, HIV infection, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Symptoms include nausea, pain, weight loss and persistent muscle spasms and seizures. This decision was made in the absence of strong evidence supporting the efficacy of cannabinoids in many of these applications.
  • A number of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., dronabinol) have been approved for medical use in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. More recently, a cannabis extract (Sativex) has been provisionally approved in Canada for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Not all patients have found that the drugs relieve their symptoms, primarily because they find it difficult to control the desired dose of orally administered cannabinoids.
  • See also : Cannabis Sativa

Plant Sources of Cannabinoids

Cannabis is not the only plant that contains medically beneficial cannabinoids, although it has driven the research to understand the powerful therapeutic properties of these plant compounds. In actuality, there are several plants that are also rich in cannabinoids and benefit the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for helping the body maintain internal balance, or homeostasis, which is needed for attaining optimum health. To expand our understanding of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, scientists and botanists are exploring the prevalence of cannabinoids in many plants used in natural remedies, other than just cannabis. Below are six plants found to either contain healing cannabinoids or affect the endocannabinoid system, and some of their known therapeutic benefits.

  • Cannabis Sativa
  • Cannabis Indica
  • Echinacea, Coneflower : This plant is well-known for its ability to help the body fight off the common cold. It is also used to relieve anxiety, fatigue, migraines, and arthritis. Echinacea is a bit different than cannabis because it uses cannabimimetics instead of cannabinoids to engage the endocannabinoid system, particularly the CB2 receptor. Similar to THC in cannabis, the N-alkyl amides (NAAs) in echinacea are responsible for regulating the immune system, pain and inflammation.
  • Spilanthes, Acmella oleracea,Electric Daisy : Native to the Amazon region, the electric daisy is used to create a painkilling gel. It successfully blocks pain receptors at nerve endings, as per trials conducted by Cambridge University. The compounds found the the electric daisy are called N-Isobutylamides, and similarly to other connabinoid-like compounds they regulate pain and inflammation. This natural remedy is emerging as a dental remedy for ailments such as impacted wisdom teeth.
  • Helichrysum umbraculigerum : Native to South Africa, this daisy has a strong mood-stabilizing and anti-depressant affect due to a large amounts of cannabigerol (CBG), also found in the cannabis plant. Helichrysum has been studied by Italian natural product chemist Giovanni Appendino. He presented at the International Cannabinoid Research Society his discovery that cannabinoid-like compounds are made by plants, starting from an aromatic acid, which is different from the normal cannabinoid biosynthtic route. Helichrysum is used in African ritual ceremonies to make fumes with a potential psychotropic effect similar to other cannabinoids.
  • Liverwort, Radula marginata : This plant, indigenous to New Zealand, contains large amounts of perrottetinenic acid, which is strikingly similar to THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. It is believed to bind with the CB1 receptors, just as THC, although liverwort is not known to have any psychoactive effects. What it is known for is its ability to treat bronchitis, and historically it has been used to alleviate gallbladder, liver, and bladder problems.
  • Cacao, Theobroma cacao : The cacao plant has many therapeutic properties and it is known to be a powerful, and delicious superfood. Cacao affects with the endocannabinoid system by deactivating the enzyme called FAAH, which typically breaks down the endocannabinoid known as anandamide. Since anandamide is identified to be the body’s natural version of THC, eating natural chocolate increases the amounts of anandamide in the brain because the FAAH enzyme is less active. The result is similar to what many people experience when smoking cannabis – a general feeling of being relaxed and happy – although the result is nowhere near as potent as with THC. Researchers at the Neurosciences Institute of San Diego were able to back up the claims that chocolate does contain three compounds that act as healing cannabinoids
  • Black pepper, Piper nigrum : A very common aroma molecule or terpene, called beta-caryophyllene (BCP), found in plant essential oils and abundantly present in black pepper, has been discovered to function as a cannabinoid. Similar to other plant-based cannabinoids, BCP binds with the CB2 receptors, giving it the therapeutic effect of reducing inflammation. Various research has suggested that BCP could be used for the treatment of arthritis and osteoporosis, and may potentially increase the effectiveness of certain anti-cancer drugs.