THE BIG SIX - THE SIX MOST RESEARCHED CANNABINOIDS

THE BIG SIX - THE SIX MOST RESEARCHED CANNABINOIDS

There are over 460 known chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant and over 80 of these are Cannabinoids here is a list of the six most well researched Cannabinoids to date:

THC – Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – psychoactive

THC is the most well- known of all the Cannabinoids and the most psychoactive component of the Cannabis plant.

THC is the major active Cannabinoid, and was reportedly first isolated in 1964, by Dr Rahael Mechoulam, when studying the psychedelic properties of Cannabis, and it is through his research that the EC system was first  discovered in the late 1980’s.

THC, more than any other Cannabinoid is associated with the majority of the pharmacologic effects of Cannabis, in other words, without THC most of the other Cannabinoids would not occur or function in its absence.

It is critical to have an understanding of the effects of psychedelic substances and in this respect we must strive to gain the responsibility to respect our dosage as only tiny amounts of Cannabinoids is required to sustain optimum health.

It is very important to be aware that the chemical profile of Cannabis has changed drastically over the past 30 years.  It is true that these days modern Cannabis contains more than double the amount of THC as it did back in the flower power 1960’s and as a result of this these modern strains tend to contain far less of the neuro-protective Cannabinoid discussed below CBD.  This again supports the idea that strains which are lower in THC will naturally be higher in CBD and vice versa.

It is also a reality that growers who selectively breed high THC strains are also selecting against the gene that produces CBD, which means that in the pursuit to produce stronger Cannabis some growers may actually end up out breeding a chemical which is responsible for the wellbeing of mental health. This is exactly why I encourage people who need Cannabis for medicinal purposes to grow their own.  It is false freedom where you are not in control of the production of your medicine and you do not know for sure what is in it or where it comes from or how it was grown.

 

It cannot be stressed enough that so much more research is required in this field of study and factors like growing customs limit our ability to fully interpret findings and to make generalizations about CBD and THC administration on psychotic symptoms, and indeed there are researchers who claim to be achieving positive results with “CBD only” extracts.

THC has the ability to alter behavior, mood perception and consciousness and often promotes the meditation of sharing, humor, creativity, and feelings of euphoria.

There are many case studies and reports of people claiming to be able to enhance their natural abilities after consuming Cannabis including artists, students and athletes alike.

The healing properties of THC include anti-cancer, anti-nausea, pain killer, appetite and metabolic regulation, anti-spasm, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, anti-microbial, neuro-protection, anti-oxidant and so many more.

CBD – Cannabidiol – Non psychoactive

CBD is a major constituent of medical Cannabis and does not possess psychoactive properties. The presence of CBD can reduce some of the psychoactive effects of THC. So in other words a strain which is high in CBD will naturally be lower in THC so there will be less if any of a ‘high’.

CBD has shown potential to relieve convulsion, inflammation, cough, congestion, nausea and most importantly the ability to reduce and in many reported cases of different types of cancers, to actually eliminate cancer cell growth.

CBD has also been shown to have neuro protection, anti- anxiety and anti-psychotic properties and is proving to bring great relief to people suffering with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and frequent anxiety attacks, epilepsy and seizures.

It has also been revealed that CBD has an effect on the genes which affect cholesterol metabolism and also has an appetite suppressing effect making it a valuable study for treatments involving obesity and diabetes.

CBD also promotes uninterrupted sleep patterns which is essential to overall health and wellbeing and is also concerned with regulation of blood pressure.

There is not much you can do to increase CBD levels other than to choose strains with a known high CBD content.  CBD is naturally found in higher amounts in low THC varieties such as Cannabis ruderalis and some hemp species. So in other words, people looking for a CBD high medicine would need to source a ‘lower THC quality’ herb to prepare a high CBD medication. Some of the well-known high CBD strains include Charlotte’s Web’, Harlequin, AC/DC, Sour Tsunami as well as Cannatonic.

 CBN – Cannabinol – Slightly psychoactive

CBN is only somewhat psychoactive at approximately ten percent of the activity of THC.

CBN is a breakdown product of THC which takes place when THC is exposed to light or heat.

 

 

 

CBN in the presence of THC presents anti-anxiety properties, but does not in the absence of THC.

CBN has sedative properties and has shown very promising anti-spasm properties, which is helping many children and adults who suffer from epilepsy. CBN also promotes uninterrupted sleep patterns.

CBN cannot exist without the presence of THC, and this is one of the main reasons why synthetic Cannnabinoids are not as successful as herbal Cannabis.  CBN is the primary product of THC degradation, and there is usually very little CBN in the fresh plant.  CBN content increases as THC degrades in storage, and with exposure to light and air.  This is known as the curing process after harvest and is critical to the potency and purity and therefore to the quality of the medication you are making.

CBN levels in buds can be influenced by the harvest, drying and curing processes. By waiting a little bit longer to harvest, until the trichomes are amber in colour, often results in higher levels of CBN. Higher exposure to air during the drying and curing stage and a longer curing phase also results in higher levels of CBN.

CBG – Cannabigerols – Non psychoactive

CBG has shown significant ability to counteract and terminate tumour formation and has also been shown to provide relief for intraocular pressure which has proven to be helpful in the treatment of glaucoma.

CBG has been identified as a primary Cannabinoid because the ability of the Cannabis plant to produce Cannabigerolic Acid (CBGA) is just one of the factors which make the Cannabis plant so unique.

So, CBG is the forerunner to the three major branches of Cannabinoids which are Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA).

Cannabis has natural enzymes called synthases (a chemical enzyme which is the catalyst in a synthetic process), which breaks the CBGA down to produce the various Cannanbinoids. There are three synthases of the Cannabis plant which have been identified (THC-synthase, CBD synthase, CBC –synthase) and are so named after the Cannabinoid which they create.

CBG is found in higher concentrations in hemp than in varieties of Cannabis usually cultivated for a high THC content, so again if you are looking for a CBG high medicine, for example people suffering with glaucoma, then you must find a strain which is low in THC.

 

 

THCV – Tetrahydrocannabivarin -  Psychoactive

THCV has shown massive potential to treat diabetes and is being investigated as an anti-obesity drug because of its ability to regulate metabolism and suppress appetite.

THCV is almost identical in chemical structure to THC, but slightly different in that unlike THC, CBD and CBC, THCV does not start out as a cannabigerolic acid (CBGA).

Instead of combining with olivetolic acid to create CBGA, the geranyl phosphate joins forces with divarinolic acid, which has two less carbon molecules. 

The result is cannabigerovarin acid (CBGVA).  Once CBGVA is created, the process continues exactly the same as it does for THC.  CBGVA is then broken down to tetrahydrocannabivarin carboxylic acid (THCVA) by the THCV synthase.  At that point, THCVA can be decarboxylated with heat or UV light to create THCV.

The effect of THCV on the CB1 and CB2 receptors is different to the effects of THC.

THCV is in reality an antagonist (inhibitor) of the CB1 and CB2 receptors, so in other words instead of stimulating these receptors THCV actually blocks them from being activated which is what makes THCV so important in the study of obesity and appetite control and metabolic regulation which it is showing signs of being able to control, as an appetite suppressant.

THCV is also showing great potential to be able to lower the seizure and convulsion threshold for people suffering from epilepsy.

Some of the best loved sativa strains are known to be high in THCV for example Durban poison and many of the Haze and Cheese strains as well as their hybrids.

 

CBC – Cannabichromenes – non psychoactive

The Endocannabinoid Research Group stated that their results suggest that CBC can help the growth and survival of NPSCs and their scientists have found that CBC is related to higher concentrations of NPSCs.

Neural Progenitor Stem Cell (NPSCs), are the stem cells of the brain and are therefore vital to brain functioning.  NPSCs are the precursors to the three types of brain cells, being neurons, oligondendrocytes and astrocytes, and because they are able to create any of these cells, they are now being investigated to help regenerate brain cells.  CBC also seems to inhibit the creation of proteins that cause the NPSCs to convert to other brain cells and this suggests that CBC may interact with this process and also take on the characteristics of being able to decide what brain cells are being developed and when they are being developed at cellular level.

This is when you start to become aware of the intricacies of this truly remarkable plant.

In terms of cancer CBC has shown to have anti-proliferative effects, which means it inhibits the growth of cancerous tumours.  This has been found to be as a result of its interaction with our natural Endocannabinoid Anandamide which has been found to aid the fight against human breast cancer.  CBC inhibits the uptake of Anandamide, which allows it to stay in the blood stream longer.

CBC also has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and very promising anti-biotic properties and in addition CBC is also now believed to stimulate bone growth, which is a profound discovery in researching osteoporosis.

 

 

Now that you know a bit more about the EC system…

There is currently a worldwide awakening to the fact that all is not well in our world and especially in our medical world.  Over the last 30 years there has been a radical increase in diseases of civilisation or ‘dread diseases’ as well as mental disorders in our society. It seems to be directly related to the increase of neuro toxins in our food, water, soil and vaccinations over the past few decades.

In 1902 Thomas Edison said, "There were never so many able, active minds at work on the problems of disease as now, and all their discoveries are tending toward the simple truth that you cannot improve on nature."

Cannabinoid research has proven that this statement still holds true to this day, and this is another reason why the pharmaceutical industry is struggling to produce synthetic Cannabis medications. All research evidence steers toward the fact that Cannabinoids do not work as effectively in isolation compared to working with whole herbal Cannabis. New evidence is now suggesting that in the absence of THC the CB1and CB2 receptors would not in fact even activate and most Cannabinoids do not work or even occur in the absence of THC.

The reality is that there are many people producing various Cannabis medicines but the truth is that you really do not know what is in these products and the only way to be totally sure of what you are consuming is to grow the plants yourself and produce your own medication otherwise you will need to put your trust in another human being who really is no more qualified than yourself.

Personally Iii spend a lot of time speaking with doctors, healers and patients and it seems certain that pretty soon medical practitioners will be forced to learn about medical Cannabis from their own patients.

Many doctors today are in fact aware of the medicinal healing properties of Cannabis and everyone should be urged to discuss this very serious matter with their health care practitioners to find the best solution for their personal medical disorders. It is quite possible for conventional and natural medical practitioners to work together for the overall healing of the people.

We must all take responsibility for own our state of health and look at what we are consuming and what is actually inside the foods we are eating. Education is the key issue to teach yourself about your options and to take control of your own health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW DOES THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM WORK?

HOW DOES THE EC SYSTEM WORK?

The Endocannabinoid System (EC System) is the recently discovered physiological system, found in humans and many animals, including slugs and is named after the plant which led to its discovery, the Cannabis plant. 

As you now already know the EC system is concerned with a wide range of biological processes and the six main functions are:

Ø  Homeostasis.

Ø  Neurogenesis

Ø  Autophagy

Ø  Regulation of Metabolism

Ø  Analgesia and inflammation

Ø  Hormone Absorption

The EC system is quite possibly the most important physiologic system ever discovered and which is ultimately involved in establishing and maintaining human and animal health.

The human body produces its own Cannanbinoids and these are known as Endocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body in the brain and nervous system organs, connective tissues, glands and cells as well as in the immune system’s organs, tissues, glands and cells.

WHAT ARE CANNABINOID RECEPTORS?

The EC system is a complex system and so much more quality research is required before we can come closer to developing a complete understanding of this advanced and possibly evolved physiological system within the human body.

Scientists now estimate that the EC System evolved in primitive animals more than 600 million years ago, and it is now largely accepted that all living creatures including all vertebrates, sea squirts, slugs and even tiny nematodes have an EC system which has been identified as being vital to sustain life and most importantly for adaptation to environmental changes.

Receptor named CB1 is mainly found in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs with the highest concentration found in the cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, amygdale, hypothalamus and cerebellum, so basically the whole brain; while receptor named CB2, is mainly found in the immune system and its cells, tissues, systems and organs  in particularly the spleen.

WHAT ARE ENDOCANNABINOIDS?

Endocannabinoids are the chemical substances which our bodies naturally produce to stimulate the identified CB1 and CB2 Cannabinoid receptors, and, just as we need to boost our nervous and immune systems by consuming the required chemical components our body’s need, so too must we boost our EC System by consuming Cannanbinoids which in the required quantities, are unique to the Cannabis plant. In fact all plants produce Cannabinoids but for sure the Cannabis plant is the highest concentration in nature.

Two Endocannabinoids have been identified and although science has already reported that they are investigating other endocannabinoids at this time, these are the two that we know the most about:

 

 

ANANDAMIDE

Anandamide is a chemical molecule produced by the body and shares most but not all of the pharmacological properties of THC, and mimics the properties of THC in the body.

Anandamide’s actions at CB1 receptors are imitated by herbal and synthetic THC.

Anandamide plays an important role in appetite control, pain and depression as well as memory and fertility, and is also associated with feelings of euphoria in the same way as THC is.

Anandamide is also present in human breast milk, and there is evidence to suggest that activation of the CB1 receptors is crucial to the suckling response in new- borns and it has also been shown that Anandamide has a neuro-protective effect on the postnatal brain.

ARACHIDONOYLGLYCEROL (2-AG)

2-AG is the most common and widespread Endocannabinoid in the brain, working mostly with CB1 receptors in the nervous system.

Neuroprotection, cognitive flexibility performance and metabolic regulation are amongst the properties of 2-AG.

An interesting observation is that it has been noted in numerous studies that the expression of Endocannabinoids does not relate to the distribution of Cannabinoid receptors in the brain, suggesting that our Endocannabinoids could also be interacting with other receptors or be involved with other cell processes.

Considering that the EC System is responsible for the well- being of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems, perhaps in lay man’s terms this indicates that both the EC system and Cannabis indeed have a most profound effect on the human body.

 

 

HOW THE EC SYSTEM WORKS

When Cannabinoid receptors are stimulated by the consumption of Cannabinoids, a number of physiologic processes start to take place.

When Cannabinoids bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors, they proceed to modify the way the body functions, especially when there is a threat to homeostasis at any level of the body.

We already know that most of our tissues contain both CB1 and CB2 receptors, and each receptor is associated with a specific function which is to assist and protect the nervous system (CB1receptors) and to assist and protect the immune system (CB2 receptors), by maintaining homeostasis throughout the nervous and immune system as well as the Endocrine system.

The Endocrine system is part of the body’s main control mechanism and controls our hormone system, and the main function of the Endocrine system is also homeostasis and thus these two systems work alongside each other in defending the body from unnatural imbalance from external environmental sources.

It is also interesting to note that the Endocrine glands are directly aligned to the spiritual chakras, which is not a physical system but rather a system made up of aspects of consciousness. Reiki healers and other new age ‘light healers’ would focus on the chakras when carrying out their healing methods, and always with great success, which is proof that the connection between mind and body healing are essential to overall health.

It is no coincidence that the position of each of the seven chakras directly corresponds to the position of the particular Endocrine gland which it affects.

The position of the EC system as being an important regulatory system in the function of brain, endocrine and immune tissues, quite literally makes the EC System a bridge between body and mind and by gaining an understanding of the EC System, we are beginning to see a physiological engine which can go a long way to explaining how our state of consciousness can promote our health.

Figure 1 Chakras and the Endocrine System – www.healingfromtheheart.co.uk

CHAKRA	ENDOCRINE GLAND
CROWN CHAKRA	PINEAL GLAND
THIRD EYE CHAKRA	PITUITARY GLAND
THROAT CHAKRA	THYROID GLAND
HEART CHAKRA	THYMUS GLAND
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA	PANCREAS
SACRAL CHAKRA	OVARIES
ROOT CHAKRA	ADRENAL GLANDS AND GONADS IN MALES

WHAT MAKES CANNABINOIDS DIFFERENT TO OTHER NEUROTRANSMITTERS?

Brain cells are called neurons and they communicate with each other and with all the other cells in the body by sending chemical messages along the nervous system. These messages coordinate and regulate all which we think, feel and do in life.

The chemicals which are released from neurons (brain cells) are called neurotransmitters.  They travel across a small “gap” between cells known as a synapse.

Please see Figure 2 below, the space between the two purple neurons is the synapse.

They then attach themselves to specific receptors found on a nearby neuron and this automatically stimulates the receiving neuron into action, setting about a chain of events which allows the messages to be passed along.

 

 

 

When a neuron or cell is under attack, the cell in front of it is activated and is known as the pre-synaptic neuron, and the neuron behind the stressed cell is known as the post-synaptic neuron.

The EC system communicates its messages in a unique way because it essentially works in reverse, where other neurotransmitters are released and attach themselves to receptors on the post synaptic neuron forward to the presynaptic neuron.  Cannabinoids are now deemed to be among the most common and the most important of all neurotransmitters.

When a neuron is activated, the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) of the EC System, Cannabinoids, are produced on demand from the fat cells already present in the neuron.

Cannabinoids are then released from that cell and travel in reverse to the presynaptic neuron and attach to the Cannabinoid receptors of that cell.

The importance of this is that Cannabinoids can actually act on presynaptic cells and therefore they can control what happens next when these cells are activated. This is very exciting medical technology which has actually been around for over 5000 years and is now coming out of secrecy.

So Cannabinoids then work like a “dimmer switch” for presynaptic neurons by limiting the amount of various different neurotransmitters that gets released and this affects how messages and hormones are sent and received and processed by the cell.

The sole purpose of this function is to protect the cells from homeostatic imbalances which, is essential to sustaining life and optimum health as well as adjusting to environmental changes which are constantly changing and sadly not positively.

Figure 2: The Endocannabinoid (EC) System and THC – www.scholistic.com

 

 

All evidence indicates that Cannabinoids can act as both stimulants and inhibitors of the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and this is particularly evident in the research we have already seen on how Cannabinoids affect appetite control, metabolic regulation as well as auto immune functions, and it seems clear that whatever stress the body is under from external sources, where there are Cannabinoids present they will rectify the situation and avoid any medical disorder.

 

 

 

 

CAN CANNABIS CURE? - CRASH COURSE ONTHE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

CAN CANNABIS CURE?

Right now we are living in very exciting times and there is currently a lot of publicity surrounding the debate of legalising Cannabis for medicinal and recreational use all over the world and indeed we are seeing very positive results as many countries are beginning to relax their Cannabis laws.

So what is all this hype about and what does it mean for the average person?

It’s all about the recently discovered physiological system which since the early 1990’s has been named The Endocannabinoid System (EC system) and is named after the Cannabis plant.

When ii started off as a student nurse at Groote Schuur Hospital in the 1980’s ii can remember being very unpopular, always harassing the professionals in the Neurological department and anyone else who would listen; running around with a piece of paper with a picture of the human brain and insisting that they show me where the “THC receptors” were.  THC is the most well-known Cannabinoid and was first isolated back in 1964.They used to chase me out telling me that ii was in the wrong department. It was a great blessing to receive the teachings of my Elders from a very young age when ii learnt that Cannabis could cure cancer and a variety of other disorders for which the medical world say there are no cures.

It now turns out that all of life, even jelly fish, have the EC system which consists of Endocannabinoids, which are Cannabinoids naturally made by our bodies, and Endocannabinoid receptors.  So far only two receptors have been officially identified, as the CB1 and CB2 receptors, but there is already promise of more receptors and Cannabinoids being discovered in the near future. It is my personal reasoning that Cannabinoids and their receptors are to be found throughout the entire body in all cells and atoms.

So we know that the CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs with the highest concentration found in the cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, amygdale, hypothalamus and cerebellum.

The CB2 receptors are located in the immune system and its cells, tissues, systems and organs, particularly the spleen.

 

 

Make no mistake the EC system is a very complex system and the complexity of the interactions between the various Cannabinoids, cell types, systems and individual organisms continues to challenge scientists and scholars alike, pushing researchers to think about new ways to study health and how the body works.

Here’s the important stuff to give you an overall idea of how the EC system works in your body.

FUNCTIONS OF THE EC SYSTEM

HOMEOSTASIS

Personally ii feel that the function of Homeostasis is the number one factor in the biology of all living things and is best described as the ability to maintain a stable and balanced internal environment despite the constant fluctuations in the external environment. The ability to maintain homeostasis is necessary for survival and medical disorders and disease are the direct result of the body’s inability to maintain homeostasis.

So we now know that Cannabinoids are responsible for promoting homeostasis at every level of biological life, right from the sub-cellular to the organism, and perhaps even to the community and beyond. Over and above regulating our internal and cellular homeostasis, Cannanbinoids also influence a person’s relationship with the external environment. On a social level, the consumption of Cannabinoids clearly changes human behaviour, and often promotes feelings of sharing, humour, positive vibrations and creativity.

NEUROGENESIS

This is the creation of new neurons in the brain, new brain cells. Contrary to popular belief, research continues to show that Cannabis does not kill brain cells and rather the opposite is true, and in fact a recent study published in The International Journal of Neuropharmacology points to Cannabinoids as a cause of neurogenesis in the brain and it was shown that the Cannabinoid named Cannabidiol (CBD) increases adult neurogenesis while having no effect on learning.

 

“Most ‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis.  Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis” – Dr Xia Zhang (Canadian researcher)

 

The Endocannabinoid Research Group has stated that their results suggest that the Cannabinoid CBC (Cannabichromenes) can help the growth and survival of NPSCs. 

Neural Progenitor Stem Cells (NPSCs) are the stem cells of the brain and are vital to brain functioning.  NPSCs are the precursors to the three types of brain cells, being Neurons, Oligondendrocytes and Astrocytes, and because they are able to create any of these cells, they are now being investigated to help regenerate brain cells.

One can only imagine how valuable this type of therapy would be in the treatment of Epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, Multiple Sclerosis and other Neurological disorders.

This research study has also found that CBC is related to higher concentrations of NPSCs and that CBC also seems to inhibit the creation of proteins that cause the NPSCs to convert to other brain cells.

This is such exciting medical technology because what this really means is that CBC appears to interact with this process and also takes on the characteristics of being able to decide what brain cells are being developed and when they are being developed at cellular level.

This is truly revolutionary stuff and while CBC’s ability to promote neurogenesis is a fairly recent finding previous studies suggest that THC and CBD can do the same.

 

 

 

AUTOPHAGY

The EC system controls the process of autophagy, a process involving cellular destruction of unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components for example cancer cells and ‘free radicals’.

So this process breaks down damaged organelles, cell membranes and proteins, but does not damage or alter healthy cells at all, unlike many cancer fighting drugs which kill off healthy cells as well as damaged cells.

The failure of the process of autophagy is largely believed to be the main reason for on-going cell damage and the aging process.

This makes a lot of sense and we all know about the role of ‘free radicals’ in the aging process, they quickly multiply and become uncontrollable in the absence of antioxidants to flush them out of the body.  Free radicals also cause inflammation throughout the body thus intensifying other conditions commonly connected with the aging process such as arthritis.

The Cannabinoids CBD (Cannabidiol) and CBC (Cannabichromene) are known to relieve inflammation and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBN (Cannbinol) are known to act as antioxidants.  These are two very important factors in maintaining homeostasis and overall health. The death of cancer cells, in turn, promotes homeostasis and survival at the level of the entire entity in both humans and animals alike.

By now everyone knows that Cannabis can cure cancer and I am living proof of this along with all the hundreds of thousands of testimonies including the works of Rick Simpson.  Mr Simpson’s work has created a lot of controversy of late but the fact remains that he has suffered greatly in his quest to save thousands of people’s lives with his Cannabis oil extract.

ANALGESIA AND ANTI-IMFLAMMATORY

Personally ii believe that Endocannabinoids and receptors are located all over our bodies, deep rooted within the cell membranes and it is now believed by many Cannabis students that Endocannabinoids are more numerous than any other receptor in the body.

 

They are also found at the intersection of the body's various systems, allowing communication and coordination between different cell types. Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoids are therefore neurotransmitters.

For example, at the site of an injury, Cannanbinoids can be found decreasing the release of activators and sensitizers from the injured tissue, thus stabilizing the nerve cells to prevent excessive firing, and calming nearby immune cells to prevent release of pro-inflammatory substances.

Millions of people from all walks of life use Cannabis as a pain killer and anti-inflammatory especially people who experience back ache and arthritis related conditions.

REGULATION OF METABOLISM

Researchers have recently discovered that Cannabinoids can actually increase the amount of energy and fat which the body burns.

Most people have heard the expression “the munchies” so Cannabis is better known for inducing hunger in those who consume it, but scientists have now found that Cannabis also has an appetite suppressing effect.

It has been clinically proven that Cannabis boosts metabolism, leading to lower levels of fat in the liver and reduced cholesterol in the blood stream.

There is a definite link between Cannabis use, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance.

Scientists now know that Cannabis activates the stimulation of Adiponectin, a protein involved in regulating glucose and lipid (fat) metabolism, proving that there is a strong relationship between Cannabinoids and therefore Cannabis, and exterior metabolic processes.

The importance of fats cannot be overlooked and it is interesting to note that Cannabis and Cannabinoids are fat soluble components and the human brain is 60% fat. This is one of the reasons why the pharmaceutical industry struggles with Cannabis because it is not water soluble and therefore cannot be administered via any water based solution.

 

Another Cannabinoid known as THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) has been found to increase sensitivity to insulin while also protecting the cells that produce insulin, allowing them to work more effectively. 

THCV also has the ability to regulate metabolism and suppress appetite. This has certainly raised hopes in the medical world that Cannabis can be developed into treatments for obesity related diseases as well as diabetes.

The effect of THCV on the CB1 and CB2 receptors is different to the effects of THC.

THCV is in reality an antagonist (inhibitor) of the CB1 and CB2 receptors, so in other words instead of stimulating these receptors THCV actually blocks them from being activated which is what makes THCV so important in the study of obesity,  appetite control and metabolic regulation which it is showing signs of being able to control, as an appetite suppressant. This is exactly why you don’t often see an overweight person who consumes Cannabis.

Some of the best loved sativa strains are known to be high in THCV for example Durban poison and many of the Haze and Cheese strains as well as their hybrids.

It has also been revealed that CBD (Cannabidiol) has an effect on the genes which affect cholesterol metabolism and also has an appetite suppressing effect.

There is not much you can do to increase CBD levels other than to choose strains with a known high CBD content.  CBD is naturally found in higher amounts in low THC varieties such as Cannabis ruderalis and some hemp species.

So in other words, people suffering from diabetes and other metabolic conditions would need to source a ‘lower THC quality’ herb to prepare a high CBD medication. Some of the more popular high CBD strains include Charlotte’s Web’, Harlequin, AC/DC, Sour Tsunami as well as Cannatonic.

HORMONE ABSORPTION

Studies have already shown that Cannabinoids have a regulatory effect on the Endocrine System which controls hormone release as well as homeostasis in our bodies, indicating that Cannabinoids can control the production and release of hormones, and therefore controls the functions of the Endocrine system. This is very important information to consider when looking at conditions such as thyroid gland disorders.

 

The EC System has scientifically proven to play an important role in the secretion of the hormones relating to reproductive functions and response to stress, Tests involving the production and release of oxytocin have given scientists hope to pursue studies of the role of Cannabinoids in hormone release in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, as well as symptoms of autism.

So, what do YOU think, can Cannabis cure?

Truly the Cannabis plant really is a plant of renown as mentioned in the Revelation in the Bible and the intricate workings of its chemical components continue to amaze the medical world.

It is also very true that many medicines are only made up from certain parts of plants containing specific chemicals, where in fact the other parts of the same plant are toxic for example Foxgloves (Digitalis), which contains chemicals used in medicines to treat certain cardiac conditions, but the entire plant if consumed has toxic effects.

The same is not true of Cannabis, where the entire plant including the roots may be consumed without any negative side effects at all. In fact Cannabis is one of the few plants known to man which actually improves the soil after it has been harvested. To this day there has never been an account of death by natural herbal Cannabis and truly the most dangerous thing about Cannabis is getting caught with it!

All natural remedies have some specific health benefits that are truly remarkable, but none are likely to cure everything, and so people shouldn't expect them to.

However, in Cannabis we have a truly extraordinary healing plant and evidence now shows that Cannabis is actually an amazingly tranquil substance that in fact poses no risk of overdose and only a slight risk of addiction, alike to that of craving coffee or chocolate. Through the teachings of my elders and the numerous healings ii have personally witnessed truly ii do believe that in Cannabis we have the single most useful herbal remedy for the treatment of the widest range of health care issues mental, physical and spiritual problems.

                                            

Many experts also now believe that the psychoactive properties of Cannabis are most likely to only be short lived and in fact do not pose any risk of long term brain damage.

 

Whilst many medical practitioners will cringe at the idea of recommending herbal remedies, let alone smoking any of them, many doctors today are in fact aware of the medicinal healing properties of Cannabis and everyone should be urged to discuss this very serious matter with their health care practitioners to find the best solution for their personal medical disorders. It is possible for conventional and natural medical practitioners to work together for the overall healing of the people.

More and more doctors are beginning to realise the truth about Cannabis, however, they lack the scientific research to adequately administer this medication and as such so much more research is required on the part of the medical world. It seems certain that pretty soon medical practitioners will be forced to learn about the healing powers of Cannabis from their own patients.