Cannabis Overview
Cannabis grows wild throughout many tropical and humid parts of the world. Its seeds have been used for animal feed, its fiber for hemp rope and its oil as a vehicle for paint.
Cannabis is dioecious, meaning it comes as separate as male and female plants.
The genus Cannabis contains two species which produce useful amounts of psychoactive cannabinoids: Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica.
There are a wide range of cannabis strains in between Indica and Sativa. These strains are known as “Hybrids” and show traits directly related to the genetics in its lineage. Hybrids can be classified into three basic categories:
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Effects of Sativa-dominant hybrids
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Effects of Even Hybrids (50/50)
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Effects of Indica-dominant Hybrids
Cannabis Sativa
Sativa are tall, thin plants with much narrower leaves and grow a lighter green in color. They grow very quickly and can reach heights of 20 ft in a single season. They originally come from Colombia, Mexico, Thailand and Southeast Asia. Once flowering begun, they can take anywhere from 10 to 16 weeks to fully mature.
Cannabis Indica
Indica originally come from the hash producing countries of the world like Afghanistan, Morocco and Tibet. They are short dense plane, with a broad leaves and often grown a darker green.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds secreted by cannabis flowers that provide relief to an array of symptoms including pain, nausea and inflammation. These work their medicinal magic by imitating compounds our body naturally produces, 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. By aiming the right cannabinoid at the right receptors, different types of relief are achievable.
Major Cannabinoids
THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol or delta-9-tetrehydrocannabinol)
Tests have shown THC has mild to moderate painkilling (analgesic) effects, and can be used for the treatment of pain. THC alters transmitter release in the spinal cord, resulting in pain relief.
The compound is also known to stimulate appetite, it induces a relaxed state, as well as having effects in the person’s sense of smell, hearing and eyesight. It can also cause fatigue. In some people, THC can reduce symptoms of aggression.
Some studies have shown that THC have anti-emetic qualities.
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CBN (cannabinol), is a product of THC and has mild psychotropic effects.
CBC
(cannabichromene)
Research suggest CBC could be very beneficial. According to Halent Labs, a top lab-testing facility, it’s believed to inhibit inflammation, pain, and to stimulate bone growth. CBC has been a successful remedy for migraines.
One of the most intriguing findings about CBC is it’s relationship with cancer. CBC is believed to have anti-proliferative effects, meaning it inhibits the growth of cancerous tumors. This could be a result of its interaction with anandamide.
Anandamide is an endocannabinoid, which means our body produces it naturally. It effects the CB1 receptors, as well as the CB2 receptors, and has been found to fight against human breast cancer. CBC inhibits the uptake of anandamide, which allows it to stay in the blood stream longer.
Not only does CBC have benefits of its own, but it seems to work with the cannabis to produce a synergistic effect.
CBD
(cannabidiol)
Animal laboratory tests have shown that it has a sedative effect; it has also been found to increase alertness in some studies.
However, experts say that CBD may interfere with THC metabolism in the liver.
Some studies have also demonstrated or indicated that CBD can relieve the symptoms of nausea, anxiety, inflammation and convulsion. Some oncologist suggest it may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Scientist in more recent studies say CBD may be useful in treating atypical psychosis in schizophrenia patients, as well as relieving dystonia symptoms (involuntary muscle contraction).
CBG
(cannabigerol)
It has been classified as an antagonist of the CB1-receptor, which affects the central nervous system. Because of this, CBG is believed to partially counteract the paranoid, “ heady” high typically associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Cannabigerol (CBG) has also been determined to affect the CB2-receptor, which influences the body.
Another effect cannabigerol (CBG) has on the brain is that it inhibits the uptake of GABA, a brain chemical that determines how much stimulation a neuron needs to cause reaction.
When GABA is inhibited it can decrease anxiety and muscle tension similar to the effects of cannabidiol (CBD).