Cannabinoids, what are they and what is their function? (HempGazette)
Cannabinoid is a chemical compound – and there are many, many different types. Part of the role of these compounds in plants (phytocannabinoids) is thought to be providing the plant with some protection from UV rays, pestilence and predation.
The human body produces its own type of cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids. These are crucial to regulating important functions including sleep, mood, pain control and immune response. When endocannabinoid production isn’t sufficient, it can result in serious health conditions. That’s when phytocannabinoids such as those in the cannabis plant can fill the gap in humans, by replacing what the body isn’t producing or not producing sufficient quantities of. We’ve seen numbers of over 144 cannabinoids – and very few cannabinoids have been well-researched.
Researchers suggest that endocannabinoid deficiencies could be partially responsible for many health conditions that respond well to cannabis. From depression and arthritis, to fibromyalgia and Crohn’s disease, there are lots of conditions that may arise from a poorly functioning endocannabinoid system.
The cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, which are often called phytocannabinoids to distinguish them from endocannabinoids, are very similar to the endocannabinoids that our bodies produce naturally. When consumed, these phytocannabinoids mimic endocannabinoids and interact with our CB1 and CB2 receptors or other parts of the ECS.
Cannabinoid effects and interactions* (from The Cannigma)
To get more information please continue reading here.
After THC and CBD, the most abundant cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are: (from The Cannigma)
- Cannabigerol (CBG) — this non-psychoactive cannabinoid is found in high concentrations in cannabis. Cannabigerol is a muscle relaxant and shows antidepressant properties*.
- Cannabichromene (CBC) — this cannabinoid shows anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibiotic, and antifungal effects. In one study, CBC was able to reduce THC intoxication in mice*.
- Cannabinol (CBN) — Cannabinol (CBN) is a mildly psychoactive breakthrough product of THC mostly found in aged cannabis. The cannabinoid is produced when THC is exposed to heat or oxygen*.
- Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) — this compound can also get you high, and might present a similar therapeutic profile as delta-9 THC*.
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) — THCV produced weight loss, decreased body fat, and increased energy in obese mice*.
- Cannabivarin (CBV) — this cannabinoid is found in the plant in low concentrations, and its pharmacology has yet to be explored*.
- Cannabidivarin (CBDV) — this cannabinoid has produced some anticonvulsant properties*.
In a research paper published in January 2022 (peer reviewed), Oregon State University did research on the effect of Cannabinoids and the interaction with those compounds during an infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, which cause COVID-19. This research paper is called “Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants”. Results of this research can be found on the website of ‘The National Library of Medicine‘, ‘Journal of Natural Products‘ and ‘ACS Publications‘.
Terpenes are the organic compounds that play a vital role in the flavors and smell of every plant including Cannabis of any kind. But they are so much more then just fragrance or flavor. It is known that terpenes deliver proven therapeutic properties.
According to an article published by Forbes, the Israeli company ‘Eybna’ is researching those Terpenes. Throughout their studies, they found that the therapeutic properties of CBD oil with Terpenes might even be able to ‘outperform’ conventional treatments for Covid-19:
“(…) Now early results from an ongoing Israeli study are adding to the chorus of researchers suggesting that cannabis’ ingredients could be a game changing treatment in the fight against Covid-19. But this study says that terpenes, compounds that provide the aroma and flavor in cannabis and many other plants, may lead to even better results than CBD alone, and might outperform conventional treatments like corticosteroids. Reports from the study show that a combination of CBD with terpenes was 2 times more effective at inhibiting cytokine activity than dexamethasone, a corticosteroid which a recent study found to be an effective treatment for Covid-19 cytokine storms. (…)”
To read the entire article on Forbes, please us this link.
To see the full test results of Eybna that Terpenes might act as a supportive treatment option for Covid-19, please go to the study results page of the Eybna website, which you can find here.
Flavonoids (ACS Laboratory), working with cannabinoids and terpenes, interact with chemical receptors through your body’s endocannabinoid system. And just like those other two compounds, flavonoids can act as anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and antibacterials while helping stave off certain diseases.
Flavonoids are secondary metabolites known for their rich diversity and color in the plant kingdom. The word flavonoid comes from the Latin word “flavus” meaning “blonde” or “yellow,” Flavonoids are not unique to the cannabis plant. Scientists have identified thousands of them all throughout nature, from flowers to fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids are made up of groups of polyphenolic compounds that act as secondary metabolites to a myriad of plants and fungi. With over 6,000 varieties of flavonoids discovered, their functions span a diverse spectrum. However, there are some that are known to be found only within cannabis. These are known as cannaflavins.
Most common flavonoids known are Cannflavins A,B and C, Quercetin, Apigenin and Kaempferol. For more information about the health benefits of flavonoids please go to the website of Leafy and ACS Laboratory
The entourage effect (from The Cannigma)
The entourage effect is a hypothesis that was first suggested in the early 2000s, based on the notion that consuming a whole plant may be more effective than taking an isolated medication that is based only on one of a plant’s active compounds.
To make things more complicated, cannabinoids’ effects may be influenced by other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids present in the cannabis being consumed. This therapeutic synergy is known as the ‘entourage effect’ and is an acknowledgment that cannabis’ active chemicals seem to work together to create effects that wouldn’t come from any of their parts individually.
In 1999, researchers Shimon Ben Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam first mentioned that, as a plant, cannabis may be superior to some pharmaceuticals thanks to the effect of entourage compounds. This hypothesis was based on their observations when researching the endocannabinoid system, however, not the cannabis plant.
When it comes to the entourage effect, the most supported examples relate to THC and CBD. Cannabis growers have long known about CBD’s ability to influence the high that cannabis producers, but scientists have only recently been able to measure specific effects. Most studies now suggest consuming THC and CBD simultaneously may actually reduce the severity of commonly known THC side effects like memory impairment or feelings of anxiety. If this is true, and it generally is accepted as true, then THC + CBD is the simplest example we can find. The science gets trickier when you consider the multitude of cannabinoids and terpenes made by the plant.
Most often, drugs operate on one or two molecular targets in our bodies, creating a specific effect. A multi-target effect means plant compounds can operate on many targets. In cannabis, a popular example would be the interaction of THC with CB1, CB2, GPR18, GPR55, TRPV2, TRPV3, and many other receptors. This multitude of targets can potentiate the effects of THC.
But it’s not just about THC — there are other cannabinoids, terpenes, and maybe even flavonoids that can also potentially activate a multitude of targets, thereby enhancing or modulating the effects of THC.
