Medicinal Cannabis / ECS
Medicinal Cannabis Research
The widely held misconception that "cannabis has not yet been adequately researched" has been debunked. It is one of the most intensively studied research subjects worldwide, not only through self-experiments in the name of science, but also through studies conducted by universities, pharmaceutical companies, and governments.
There is currently a wide range of research on cannabis and its components such as THC and CBD. An important research focus is investigating the therapeutic effects of medicinal cannabis and its components in the treatment of various conditions such as epilepsy, pain, cancer, anxiety, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
In addition, the safety of medicinal cannabis and its components will also be researched, including long-term effects on physical and mental health, as well as effects on driving and occupational safety. There is also a growing body of research examining the role of the endo cannabinoid system in the body and its importance in health and disease.
On December 2, 2022, President Biden signed the “Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act” into law, becoming the first legally binding rule for the Cannabis Reform legalizing medicinal cannabis research.
Endo Cannabinoid System
The Endo Cannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex system in the human body that is responsible for regulating various biological processes.
It consists of cannabinoid receptors, endo cannabinoids and enzymes responsible for the synthesis and breakdown of endo cannabinoids. The Endo Cannabinoid System plays an important role in regulating pain, appetite, mood, sleep, and immune function. It is also associated with various medical conditions such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain and inflammation.
It was discovered in the 1990s by researchers looking for the mechanisms of action of cannabis. The most important researchers in this area were the Israeli biochemist Raphael Mechoulam and his team, which also included the Czech Dr. Lumir Hanus, Italian Vincenzo Di Marzo and German Beat Lutz belonged.
Activating the endo cannabinoid system through the use of THC and CBD or other cannabinoids can have effects on the human system and is therefore extremely studied in medical research. There are already some drugs that target the endo cannabinoid system and are used to treat conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
How does the ECS work?
The endo cannabinoid system consists of various receptors, enzymes and endo cannabinoids, that are found throughout the body. The endo cannabinoids (endon Greek for within), are produced by the body and bind to the cannabinoid receptors where they trigger a response.
There are two main types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are mainly found in the brain and central nervous system, while the CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune cells and peripheral nervous system.
When endo cannabinoids bind to the cannabinoid receptors, they can trigger various reactions in the body. For example, they can relieve pain, regulate appetite, affect mood, and reduce inflammation. The ECS can also be activated by using THC and CBD or other cannabinoids, as these also bind to the cannabinoid receptors.
The Endo Cannabinoid System regulates the body's equilibrium by playing a role in homeostasis, which keeps the body in a stable state.
Cannabinoid Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors are proteins found in cell membranes that are activated by cannabinoids.
There are two main types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, which are found in different areas of the body and have different effects. In addition to CB1 and CB2, other cannabinoid receptors have been discovered, including GPR18, GPR55, and TRPV1, which also play a role in regulating various biological processes in the body.
CB1 receptors are mainly found in the central nervous system and brain. They are particularly numerous in regions important for memory, motor function, pain sensation and appetite control. Activation of CB1 receptors can have a variety of effects, including decreased pain sensation, increased mood, and altered cognition.
CB2 receptors are primarily found in the immune system, including immune cells such as macrophages and B cells. They play an important role in regulating immune functions and inflammatory reactions in the body.
Cannabinoids such as THC, found in medicinal cannabis, bind to and activate CB1 receptors, resulting in the well-known euphoric effects of cannabis. Other cannabinoids like CBD do not bind directly to the cannabinoid receptors but affect them in an indirect way by enhancing or inhibiting the action of endo cannabinoids, called the entourage effect.
The cannabinoid receptors are an important part of the endo cannabinoid system and play a crucial role in the regulation of various biological processes in the body. By researching the functions of the cannabinoid receptors and the interactions with cannabinoids, new therapies and medicines can be developed for a variety of diseases.
Endocannabinoid
The human body produces endocannabinoids, these molecules have a structural resemblance to compounds found in cannabis.
They bind to the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and thus influence various biological processes in the body. The best-known endo cannabinoids are Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
Anandamide was the first endo cannabinoids discovered and was named after the first Sanskrit Ananda for "bliss". Appropriately, considering it plays an important role in regulating pain, sensations, appetite, mood, and inflammatory responses.
2-Arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) is considered a short-term neurotransmitter, as it is only produced when it is urgently needed.
Endo cannabinoids are produced on demand and have a short-term effect. They are usually broken down quickly to avoid over-stimulating the cannabinoid receptors.
There are many other endo cannabinoids such as Noladin Ether, Virodhamine, and N-Arachidonoyl Dopamine (NADA) whose functions in the body are not yet fully understood. Dr However, Ethan Russo, a neurologist and renowned cannabis researcher, suspects that low levels of cannabinoids may be at the root of many diseases, such as fibromyalgia.
Cannabinoid
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds produced by the cannabis plant
The most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is psychoactive and causes the euphoria, while CBD is non-psychoactive and is mainly known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative effects.
Medicinal Cannabis is specifically used to treat serious diseases including: cancer, inhibiting tumor growth, relieving or preventing inflammation and nausea, beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, cardiovascular diseases, Psychosis and anxiety disorders, pain relief for muscle spasms or neuropathic pain (nerve pain). Cannabinoids can also be produced synthetically.