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What are Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids generally speaking are naturally occurring compounds that interact with cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body, also found in a broad range of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

 

Types Of Cannabinoids
There are two types of cannabinoids – endocannabinoids, aka endogenous cannabinoids which are molecules created by our bodies, such as anandamide (AEA). As well as phytocannabinoids, which are found in several plant species such as Humulus (hops), but most extensively in the Cannabis Genus.

Overall, the Cannabis plant contains over 400 different molecules that work together, around 100 of these are phytocannabinoids, whilst the remaining molecules are predominantly comprised of flavonoids and terpenes.

All these chemicals interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout our body and brain (the endocannabinoid system, or ECS) to create certain effects and reactions. More specifically, they regulate how cells communicate (send, receive, and process messages) to promote balance and homeostasis throughout the main bodily systems.

The compelling thing about cannabinoids, and more specifically the endocannabinoid system, is that our bodies have an innate ability to interact with these compounds, which are almost exclusively found in Cannabis. It is interesting to consider what this means for our historical usage of the Cannabis plant in managing health and well-being, given our body has a system dedicated to interacting with the compounds found within it.

 

A Closer Look
The two main phytocannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), both of which have therapeutic properties. THC is responsible for the psychoactive or ‘high’ feeling associated with Cannabis consumption and as a result, its therapeutic properties are often over-looked. Other cannabinoids found within Cannabis include CBN (cannabinol), CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), CBL (cannabicyclol), CBDV (cannabidivarin) and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin).

Different strains or ‘chemovars’ of Cannabis contain different combinations of these compounds, and in different concentrations or ratios – hence creating different effects. This is also why different strains have different taste and scent profiles.

Cannabis potency has typically been measured by looking at the concentration of THC and CBD alone, leading to terms such as ‘CBD-rich’ for chemovars high in CBD, but low in THC and ‘THC-rich’ for chemovars high in THC and low in CBD. This is a simplistic way of categorising various strains to identify their likely effects when consumed. Examples of THC rich strains are ‘Blue Dream’, ‘Sour Diesel’ and ‘White Widow’, whilst CBD-rich examples include ‘ACDC’, ‘Harlequin’ and ‘Cannatonic’.

 

Testing & Research
Thanks to modern technology we can now study levels of other cannabinoids and compounds within the plant using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC is a technique that uses high pressure to push samples through a chromatography column to separate out the compounds – from these lab reports or COAs are created to provide a visual representation of the contents of the product. This is an important tool in identifying potential strains and products for use in treating certain ailments and medical conditions, allowing more specific product selection for greater efficacy.

Even in today’s world, we still know very little about some of these cannabinoids and the potential they have for medical use. Although research continues to grow, the attitude towards Cannabis throughout recent history has stifled our ability to explore the full potential of them. Given Cannabis was a fundamental part of pharmacopeia during the 19th and early 20th century, even used by Queen Victoria – it does make you wonder why progress was halted and where we would be today, if it hadn’t.

 

Synthetic Cannabinoids
More recently there has been a shift to using synthetic cannabinoids, which have been developed to mimic those found in nature. CBD products containing these cannabinoids are now finding their way onto high street shelves. Although they are said to be bioidentical to the natural compounds and easier to work with, the motives for pursuing this path are questionable – especially given the broad suppression of naturally occurring cannabinoids through restrictions and law over the last century.

Synthetic cannabinoids are produced in isolation, and as a result do not benefit from something known as the ‘entourage effect’, where the varying compounds work synergistically to maximise the therapeutic outcome.

At Cannatural we are big proponents of using nature provided by the world around us, as opposed to re-creating it, often at a sub-standard quality. Suffice to say we would like to see more weighting towards efficacy and consumer experience, rather than fulfilling dubious legal or regulatory requirements which result in products devoid of soul and natural integrity.

 

Product Selection
You can find lab reports (COAs) on the product pages of our website, which provide detailed information about the composition of each product. This should help in choosing a product to suit your requirements, but please feel free to contact us if you need any assistance.

This article is the first in our ‘CBD Education’ series, in which we will be delving deeper into CBD and Cannabis as a whole, to explain how and why CBD and other cannabinoids can be used effectively for sustaining health and wellbeing. We hope this will provide you with the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision about your choice of product.

 

 

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