There is no doubt that cannabis use has become widespread. Everywhere you look, there are new CBD-based cosmetics, personal care, or even food products on the market.
People are increasingly curious about the compounds (called cannabinoids) found in this plant (used for medicinal purposes for centuries) and how they can benefit their health.
Despite its growing popularity and notoriety, there is still a lot of misinformation out there about cannabis and hemp. CBD oil And its uses in general. So here's a guide that will help you better understand what CBD, THC, and other substances are.
Various cannabinoids
First of all, it's important to make this clear when we talk about it CBD, hemp oil, marijuana and THCWe are actually talking about the hemp plant and its derivatives. In fact, although there are significant legal differences between hemp and marijuana, scientifically speaking, hemp and marijuana are actually just Two versions of the cannabis plant.
What I mean is that hemp and marijuana come from the same type of cannabis plant, but they belong to the same species. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations. What separates them.
Hemp plants containing 0.2% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are considered hemp, while plants containing more than 0.2% THC are considered marijuana.
This creates a lot of confusion (and yes, it is confusing!), but it is important to know that when we say hemp, we are referring to both marijuana and hemp.
Hemp It is a name that describes a group of molecules similar to those found in our body ( Endocannabinoids) which is found in plants ( Plant hemp), which are manufactured in a laboratory (synthetic cannabinoids).
Cannabis interacts with a regulatory system in the body called Endocannabinoid system (ECS), often described as a key regulatory system in many of our body's physiological processes.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for the side effects (good and bad) of cannabis use, whether in the form of hemp oil, CBD oil, or smoked marijuana.
This system relies on endocannabinoids that the body produces naturally(1) And on a family of receptors called Cannabinoid receptors.
The cannabinoid receptors you should be aware of are CB1 and CB2, and they largely explain why there are so many cannabinoids Therapeutic properties Also why THC is so addictive as opposed to CBD.
CBD vs THC
Before talking about CBD and THC, it's important to know the difference between these two distinct molecules that interact with the body in very different ways.
THC binds directly to CB1 receptors inside the body(2)Which is mainly found in the brain and nervous system. However, it will not surprise you to know that activation of CB1 receptors is responsible for thispsychological effect (euphoric, calming, even sleepy) from cannabis smoke and that CBD does not directly bind to this receptor. In reality, CBD interacts with other receptors And pathways in the body, which explains many of its specific health benefits.
CBD and THC are often considered “sister molecules” because one of the most interesting aspects of cannabis science is what the Anglo-Saxons call “Entourage effect“(in French entourage effect), which means that cannabinoids are more effective when used together than when used alone(3).
This is part of the reason why, when looking for cannabis products, experts recommend “full-spectrum” products (which include cannabinoids and other terpenes found in the plant) and avoid “isolates.” And more difficult to dose(4).
CBN, THCA, CBDA and other cannabinoids
CBD and THC are well known, but there is actually a group of cannabinoids worth studying.
the Cannabinol (CBN), which was the first cannabinoid to be discovered, is often used specifically to improve sleep.
Furthermore, two boats were called THC (THCA) and Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)(5)The primary molecules CBD and THC seem to have their own set of therapeutic properties and both Other than psychotropic substances.
Other cannabinoids include Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC) and Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), all of which are of medical and research interest due to their specific health benefits.
Benefits of hemp
Hemp offers a wide range of health benefits, ranging from Effects of pain relievers From THC to Anti-stress properties CBD. Other areas of research include Post-traumatic stress disorder (post-traumatic stress disorder), Epileptic seizuresProblems related to cancer treatment and addiction (especially opioids). Most of these areas of research are still at an early stage, although CBD-derived medicine,EpidiolexIt has been approved by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) since December 2018 for the treatment of epileptic disorders.
Starting this year (2020), the sale of medicines containing cannabis will be available. These are intended for people with treatment-resistant epilepsy, Side effects of chemotherapy Or diseases of the central nervous system, such as Multiple Sclerosis.
The more research advances, the more we understand the beneficial effects of cannabis and some cannabinoids on health.
CBD oil vs hemp oil
The difference between CBD oil and hemp oil (not to be confused with hemp seed oil, which is made from the sterilized seeds of the plant and does not contain a significant percentage of cannabinoids) can also be a source of confusion.
Hemp oil is actually an extract from the entire plant and contains a variety of cannabinoids, including CBD. You should know that many products marketed under the name CBD oil are actually CBD-rich hemp oils. CBD is available on its own (in a form commonly called CBD isolate), but cannabis and hemp professionals generally do not recommend CBD isolate because you are missing the “entourage effect.”
The last word
Despite the stigma surrounding them today, cannabis and cannabinoids have been used for centuries as medicinal plants and, thanks to new formulations and innovations, have great potential to improve the quality of life of many people suffering from their diseases or cancer treatments.
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(tags for translation) Different cannabinoids
What is the difference between these cannabinoids?
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