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Cannabinoids

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain by acting on the cannabinoid receptors in cells. These chemical compounds were discovered in the 1940s when CBN and CBD were identified. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the major cannabinoids among the known 113 found in the cannabis plant. Different types of cannabinoids have been identified occurring both naturally and synthetically.

Phytocannabinoids

Phytocannabinoids are the cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. About 113 known phytocannabinoids, commonly referred to simply cannabinoids, are found in cannabis that include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN). Research has been confucted and is currently underway to determine the effects that cannabinoids have on The Endocannabinoid System in animals and humans.

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters that bind to the cannabinoid receptors and activate them.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic Cannabinoids are made by laboratory synthesis and are often based on the structure of phytocannabinoids or endocannabinoids. They are highly useful in determining the relationship between structure and activity of naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds.

Biosynthesis

The production of cannabinoids starts with the reaction between geranyl pyrophosphate and olivetolic acid that produces CBGA or cannabigerolic acid. The CBGA upon reaction with four separate synthase, FAD-dependent dehydrogenase enzymes, gives CBCA, CBDA, CBG or THCA. The propyl homologues of the cannabinoids (THCVA, CBDVA and CBCVA) are formed because of a different pathway based on the production of CBGVA from divarinolic acid in the initial reaction.

Potential Benefits

When looking at the cannabinoids as a single unit, one can take into account the medical benefits of different cannabinoids listed here. These may include reduced anxiety, pain-relief, reduced inflammation, control over nausea and vomiting, muscle relaxation, stimulation of appetite, and more.

Entourage Effect

The term Entourage Effect refers to the concept and proposed mechanism according to which cannabinoids and other compounds present in cannabis modulate the overall psychoactive effects of the plants, even when the majority of compounds are non-psychoactive.

Ongoing research is being conducted to assess cannabinoids and the cannabinoid receptors, which contribute to the by the Entourage Effect, and whether they can be used to develop better medications.

Cannabinoid Research

The following is merely a sampling of research topics conducted to gain a better understanding of cannabinoids regarding differing topics. Keep in mind that none of this research constitutes either definitive proof of a specific effect of any given product, nor does it convey approval by any government agency as to efficacy of any product or specific ingredient therein. One should consult of healthcare professional for advice when attempting to address any given health concern.

  1. Role of Cannabinoids in Obesity.
    Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Sep 10;19(9). pii: E2690. doi: 10.3390/ijms19092690.
    Cannabinoid receptors (CB) regulate thermogenesis, food intake and inflammation. CB1 ablation or inhibition helps reducing body weight and food intake. Stimulation of CB2 limits inflammation and promotes anti-obesity effects by reducing food intake and weight gain.
  2. Targeting Glioma Initiating Cells With A Combined Therapy Of Cannabinoids And Temozolomide.
    Biochem Pharmacol. 2018 Sep 6. pii: S0006-2952(18)30389-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.09.007.
    Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive type of brain tumor due, at least in part, to its poor response to current anticancer treatments. We also found that the administration of THC (or of THC + CBD at a 1:1 ratio) in combination with temozolomide, the benchmark agent for the treatment of GBM, synergistically reduces the growth of glioma xenografts. Our findings show that TMZ + THC:CBD combinations containing a higher proportion of CDB (but not TMZ + CBD alone) produce a similar antitumoral effect as the administration of TMZ together with THC and CBD at a 1:1 ratio in xenografts generated with glioma cell lines.
  3. Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history.
    J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Sep 8. pii: S0378-8741(18)31661-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004.
    The result of several studies suggested a deeper involvement of phytocannabinoids (the key compounds in C. sativa) in several others central and peripheral pathophysiological mechanisms such as food intake, inflammation, pain, colitis, sleep disorders, neurological and psychiatric illness.
  4. Therapeutic Use of Synthetic Cannabinoids: Still an Open Issue?
    Clin Ther. 2018 Sep 1. pii: S0149-2918(18)30332-1. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.08.002.
    Not Because activation of cannabinoid receptors may induce central and peripheral beneficial effects, the newest synthetic cannabinoids having full agonistic activity and high potency at cannabinoid type 1 and type 2 receptors might have therapeutic potential too. However, case reports of acute and fatal intoxications are accumulating and revealing that this is not the case because adverse effects of the latest generation of synthetic cannabinoids far exceed the desired ones.

The following is merely a sampling of research topics conducted to gain a better understanding of cannabinoids regarding differing topics. Keep in mind that none of this research constitutes either definitive proof of a specific effect of any given product, nor does it convey approval by any government agency as to efficacy of any product or specific ingredient therein. One should consult of healthcare professional for advice when attempting to address any given health concern.