Cannabis, Cannabidiol & THC
Cannabis is a complex plant with a long history of demonstrated applications. Many people have heard of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and know that it’s a psychoactive component in the marijuana plant. Now that the medical use of cannabis (especially cannabidiol, also known as CBD) is getting more media attention than ever before, increasing numbers of people are open to learning about this powerful medicine. As Mother Nature’s Remedy is committed to staying at the forefront of the medical cannabis community, we are blogging to provide current information to our beloved members.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta recently began speaking out about the medical applications of cannabinoids on CNN, citing incredible efficacy in treating seizures, spasms and other conditions. Cannabinoids occur naturally not only in the cannabis plant, but also in the bodies of humans and animals. The first human endocannabinoid was discovered in 1992. Given the confusing illegality of the cannabis plant, there is still much to learn about the roles plant based cannabinoids play in human health. What we do know is that recent research work by Dr. Yosef Sarne has demonstrated micro-doses, fractions of a milligram, of CBD taken only once demonstrated neuroprotective effects with rodents which were observable even 28 days after the single micro-dose administration. The research on CBDs is sparse, to say the least, but according to Dr. Gupta and a growing group of patients, CBDs provide relief virtually unheard of from pharmaceutical sources. Perhaps that’s why the US government has a patent on the use of cannabinoids as tissue protectants and antioxidants.
We learned from Dr. Raber that another important aspect of the cannabis plant for health and wellness applications are called terpenes. Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by a number of plants including cannabis and some insects such as butterflies. Terpenes are the primary constituents of essential oils, and give each cannabis strain its unique flavor and aroma, as well as potential health applications.
According to Dr. Raber, it appears that the right mixture of cannabinoids including THC, along with unique terpene combinations, works for specific conditions and may be unique to individuals based on their body chemistry, medical conditions and endocannabinoid systems. While there is a lot of press at this time about CBD versus THC, we consider both to be important wellness interventions. While many children suffering from life threatening seizures may benefit from being given cannabis, parents may be hesitant given the psychoactive nature of THC. We are developing a line of CBD rich medicine to accommodate patients needing the health benefits of CBD with minimal THC, however we would like to mention something else we learned from Dr. Raber – that science shows that even 1/10th of a milligram of THC has a neuroprotectant effect for up to 28 days.
Since each strain of marijuana has its own unique properties, and each person has his or her own specific biochemistry and needs, it’s important to find out what works for you. MNR is working closely with scientists to identify healing opportunities so we can better serve patients. We are also committed to testing our medicine to ensure it is free of pesticides or other contaminants. In the spirit of discovery and community, we want to hear from you! Please let us know which strains produced what effects, and how it helped you!