Cannabis is one of the most effective and safe medicines we know today. For a variety of different diseases, its potential has a helpful, ameliorating and even healing effect. The female cannabis flowers form resin/resin, which is largely composed of cannbinoids. The most important cannabinoids in Marijuna with high therapeutic potential that we know today are:
THC (Δ9-THC becomes Δ1-THC ): main active component
- pschoactive
- anti-epileptic
- analgesic effect
- muscle relaxing
- euphoric, exhilarating
- bronchodilator
- Appetite stimulating...
CBD (cannabidiol):
- not psychoactive, but calming
- analgesic
- relaxes muscles
- anti-epileptic
- anti-bacterial
CBN (cannabinol):
- moderately psychoactive
- Reduces intraocular pressure
- anti-epileptic effects
- anti-bacterial
CBG (Cannabichromene):
- non-psychoactive
- sedative effects
- antibiotic
CBC (Cannabichromene)
- sedative effects
- supports the analgesic effects of THC
In the early 19th century, knowledge of the medicinal benefits of cannabis spread widely in the West. It was brought to France by Napoleon's troops when they returned from Egypt. Here, cannabis was a much-used and widely known medicine for its analgesic and sedative effects.
The general acceptance of cannabis as a medicine was increased by the research of the Irish scientist William O`Shaughnessy. He published an article entitled "On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp or Ganjah" in 1843. O'Shaughnessy experimented with alcohol tinctures and recognized this as an effective way to isolate the main psychoactive component in cannabis, namely THC.
From 1890 to 1937, the American company Parke, Davis & Company marketed many different formulas and tinctures of medical marijuana. It also offered cannabis tablets, which were sold by the gram, as well as powder extracts and also pressed flowers. Another major producer of cannabis products in the U.S. was Eli Lilly & Co from 1877 to 1935, which produced and sold powdered and liquid extracts of cannabis. Only high-quality and resin-rich flowers were used for the production as the manufacturer itself stated. The German chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck, which is still very well known today, had also marketed and sold cannabis medicines and products in the past and among others. The company produced extracts, tinctures, tablets and oil from cannabis and also claimed to use only potent marijuana flowers.
Alcohol-based cannabis tinctures are still used and marketed by pharmaceutical companies today, e.g. the cannabinoid-based drug Sativex, which is strictly speaking a tincture in spary form. Sativex has 51% THC and 49% CBD, which are dissolved in alcohol. Organic cannabis is used in its production. Similar to what Eli Lilly & Co did 150 years ago.
An analysis conducted on 168,900 autopsies in Florida found that 3 times as many people died from pharmaceutical drugs/medications than from cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines combined. Cocaine was responsible for the deaths of 843 fatalities, heroin for 121 fatalities, and methamphetamines for 25. Cannabis was not the cause of death in a single case. In contrast, 2328 people died as a result of opiate-based painkillers such as Vicodin, and 743 people died as a result of benzodiazepines such as Valium. In the U.S., it is estimated that about 40,000 people die each year from the effects of aspirin and other painkillers.
The Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners - 2007 Report.
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cms/News/2008/June/2007drugreport.aspx
Thus, medical marijuana moved inexorably into the public attention, one could finally no longer conceal its high benefit and the simultaneous harmlessness. There are two main cannabis species used for medical purposes: Sativas and Indicas. Both types have respectively and partially different medicinal benefits. There are countless different cannabis strains, each with their own unique cannabinoid profile. There are both pure India strains and pure Sativa strains, and many mixtures of the two, also known as hybrids.
Indica-dominant strains can have a 4-5 times higher THC-CBD ratio than sativa-dominant hybrids. Autoflowering strains contain ruderalis genes, which also have high medicinal benefits. Patients choose their strain depending on their needs and desired effects.
Sativas produce a cerebral high and are very often used medicinally during the day. They induce a feeling of general well-being and give energy. Sativa dominant hybrids help regulate mood and appetite. Because pure sativas can cause paranoia and increase heartbeat, sativa dominant hybrids that have a low indica content are most often used in medicinal use. These hybrids are very useful for use with depression without causing unwanted feelings of paranoia. Sativa dominant strains can have very high THC content and often have little CBD. They are very helpful for glaucoma or MS.
Known sativa dominant hybrids are:
- Hazes(Super Silver Haze, G13 Haze, Destroyer Haze, PurpleHaze...)
- Potash dung
- Jack Herer
- Cheese
Sativa/Sativa dominant strains are used for:
- Migraine
- Nausea
- Cancer
- Lack of appetite
- Depression
- the treatment of pain
The effects of Indicas, on the contrary, are mainly physical, help to reduce stress and have a calming effect. They are best for use in the evening or when you don't want to be so active. Indicas are used primarily for pain reduction (-> vaporizers) and also in cancer treatment (oil-based extractions). They can also help treat nausea and reduce intraocular pressure.
Indicas/Indica dominant varieties are used medicinally for:
- Insomnia
- different types of cancer
- Chronic pain (pain management)
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea
- Tremor
- To stimulate appetite
- for relaxation
Most medical indica-dominant marijuana strains today are hybrids, e.g.:
According to analyses, pain patients who used cannabis were able to reduce their intake of opiates by up to 50% or more on average. It's no wonder that some corporations that produce synthetic drugs see cannabis as hostile to their profits.
In June 2016, another study was published in the Journal of Pain. Using an online questionnaire, a retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted of 244 medical cannabis patients with chronic pain who attended a medical cannabis dispensary in Michigan between November 2013 and February 2015, showing that cannabis use was associated with as much as 64% less opiate use among patients with chronic pain and cannabis use. Additionally, cannabis use was associated with an improvement in quality of life and fewer side effects with other necessary medications used.
Overdoses can occur when marijuana is ingested in "edibles", i.e. eaten. This condition is perceived by many people as not pleasant, but is harmless, rather rare and transient. In case of overdose, the undesirable effects last for a maximum of 6-8 hours without leaving any further manifestations.
Although in some patients specifically increased cannabis use can lead to increased sluggishness and fatigue, the medical use of cannabis has a positive effect on most patients and even, as many sufferers report, increases performance when symptoms and discomfort can be controlled with cannabis.
Medical Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Opiate Medication Use in a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients With Chronic Pain
Kevin F. Boehnke, Evangelos Litinas, Daniel J. Clauwcorrespondence: jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(16)00567-8/abstract
The modern science of medical cannabis
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is involved in many different functions in the body including numerous physiological and psychological changes necessary for adaptation to a constantly changing environment.
Throughout our lives, the endocannabinoid system produces beneficial and healing responses to injury and inflammation. However, the endocannabinoid system is much more far-reaching. It is also involved in protective mechanisms against numerous types of cancer, against neurological diseases and nerve damage. It is now thought to mitigate age-related physical changes.
Research on the endocannabinoid system is relatively young. It was only discovered in 1990 and since then there has been a lot of research and studies on the endocannabinoid system and its complexity. The great interest of science was aroused when the first results in research indicated the great importance of the endocannabinoid system. Patients, researchers, doctors were and are excited and hopeful about what the newer findings will bring.
The endocannabinoid system can be thought of as a biological regulatory mechanism that works like a lock and key. Understanding the endocannabinoid system in its entirety is a difficult task and not fully possible at this stage. For example, the endocannabinoid system, when properly activated, may be capable of inhibiting various cancers and may be protective against Alzheimer's disease.
In addition to its preventive and protective mechanism, the endocannabinoid system regulates and strengthens our nervous and immune systems. It helps control pain and calms inflammation. It triggers neurogenesis, the production of new nerve cells. This is essential for recovering from damage in the brain and important for protecting nerve cells and increasing memory function.
The role of the endocannabinoid system in neurogenesis, learning and opening to new experiences shows the link between our state of mind and the development of disease.
Cannabinoids and receptors
A large number of cannabinoid receptors are located in specific cells throughout the body. These receptors can be activated in three ways:
- Through the release of endogenous cannabinoids (e.g. anandamides).
- Through the administration of plant-based cannabinoids in the cannabis
- Or by manufactured cannabinoids as in dronabinol.
The most abundant types of cannabinoid receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Scientists have speculated that there are three other endocannabinoid receptors. Their location and function will be more understood as research progresses. Until then, these receptors will be referred to as non-CB1 and non-CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are found in cells of:
- Brain
- Spinal cord
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Liver
- Thyroid gland
CB2 and CB1 receptors are found in cells of:
- Eyes
- Heart
- Pancreas
- Digestive tract
- Bones
- Stomach
Endocannabinoid receptors regulate, influence, and modulate the function of each of the cells, tissues, organs, and systems in which they are contained.
Anandamides, the endogenous cannabinoids dock relatively equally to CB1 or CB2 receptors. THC also binds equally to CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD has a higher affinity for CB2 receptors, as does the cannabinoid CBN.
Cannabinoids frequently interact with other G-protein coupled receptors such as GPR55, GPR35, and GPR18. GPR55 stimulus overload is associated with carcinogenesis and bone resorption. CBD acts as a GPR55 antagonist, calming its activity. Cannabinoids can also sometimes interact with ionotropic receptors such as the vanilloid receptor TRPV-1 .
Cannabis has demonstrated its medicinal efficacy and importance several times over for various diseases in a variety of studies. It is currently believed that more than 15,000 studies have been conducted or are ongoing worldwide. Millions of patients worldwide now rely on cannabis and cannabinoids to improve their health and well-being. Patients with degenerative chronic diseases and patients receiving chemotherapy also benefit from cannabis therapy and can often reduce symptoms and discomfort.
Cannabinoids regulate and balance the function of individual cells and also the whole organism.
It is not surprising that today hundreds of medical and scientific organizations support the release of medical marijuana. The components of marijuana can stimulate the right and left hemispheres of the brain and create a kind of expanded consciousness that includes logic, intuition, thoughts and feelings.
Currently, more than 111 cannabinoids have been found. Scientists continue to search for the other components of the cannabis plant, such as terpenoids as important co-factors for therapeutic effects.
Anandamide
In the 1990s, the anandamides (molecules) were discovered. This was a crucial scientific breakthrough that led to a better understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its interaction with cannabinoids in the human body. Like all other cannabinoids, anandamide is a key molecule. It fits relatively equally into both: CB1 and CB2 receptors. Once the cannabinoids dock at the receptor, a signal is generated. At this point, many physiological and also mental changes take place.
In general, anandamides produce a number of changes simultaneously, in the central nervous system (consisting of brain and spinal cord) via predominantly CB1 and in the immune system predominantly via CB2.
Anandamides are further involved in emotions, in feeling pleasure, and at the same time have the potential to destroy various types of cancer cells.
The four most important endocannabinoids discovered to date:
- 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol (2-AG)
- 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol-ether (Noladin Ether)
- Arachidonoyl ethanolamines (virodhamines)
- N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA)
The endocannabinoid system interacts with several neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA, histamine, serotonin, glutamate, norepinephrine, prostaglandins, and opioid peptides. Interaction with these neurotransmitters is responsible for much of the pharmacological action of cannabinoids.
- The endocannabinoid system is like a bridge between body and mind
- Cannabinoid sources include: the body itself, cannabis plants, some other plants (e.g., Echineacea), synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., JWH-300 or WIN55, 212-2).
The endocannabinoid system surprisingly has both immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory effects, often called "immunomodulatory," which includes both effects. The research of cannabis and its components is the discovery of new therapeutic possibilities in which cannabinoids and terpenes interact with the body.