The following are the most common and thus, the most studied cannabinoids found in medical marijuana: Tetrahydracanabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannbichromene (CBC), cannbidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydracannabvarin (THCV).
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Tetrahydracanabinol or THC is well-known for its psychoactive effects or the “high”, which is sought-after by recreational marijuana users. Despite its psychoactive effects, THC is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.
THC is touted for its efficacy in managing symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and chronic pain. Patients suffering from anorexia or cachexia can also benefit from THC because the compound can stimulate appetite even at a small dose of 5 milligrams a day. In addition, empirical studies also found THC effective in treating different mental disorders including anxiety and depression.
Basing on anecdotal reports, THC shows potential in the treatment of different types of movement disorders such as dystonia, Tourette’s syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. In small studies involving MS patients, THC was able to alleviate ataxia and tremor.
THC can help treat autoimmune disorders and inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory ability is 20 times more powerful than that of aspirin and twice more powerful than that of hydrocortisone.
THC shows promise for cancer treatment as it can reduce vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF as well. A reduction in VEGF can hamper down the growth of new blood vessels that the brain cancer cells (glioma) need to survive.
In a more recent study that has been conducted at the Louisiana State University and published on the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, investigators has found that a daily dose of THC could block the progress of HIV among HIV-positive monkeys. While clinical trials involving humans are yet to come, such finding shows great promise for the future of THC as an HIV medicine.
Marijuana with high amount of CBD can provide therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD has an ability to balance the hunger, tachycardia, anxiety and sedation brought by THC. CBD and THC, when both present at therapeutic amounts, can be more effective than they can be when isolated.
CBD can address several hard-to-manage conditions, including antibiotic-resistant infections, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, neurological disorders, epilepsy, cancer, alcoholism and PSTD.
CBD’s antioxidant property is also more powerful than those of vitamins C and E. Even better, THC and CBD make a very potent antioxidant when combined together.
It can also treat neuropathic pain that is resistant to traditional medications because it is proven a powerful analgesic agent. Its neuroprotective ability can help people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
CBD can also balance the serotonin levels in the brain, therefore effectively reducing addiction, appetite, anxiety, nausea, pain, sleep, and vomiting.
CBD can also inhibit the progress of breast cancer and leukemia for it has an ability to kill cancer cells while protecting the healthy cells.
Cannabinol or CBN is a lesser-studied cannabinoid. As of now, clinical trials involving humans and animals are inconsistent with each other. Nevertheless, experts believe that CBN is typically found in aging Cannabis and can often boost the effect of THC. Due to its stronger affinity to CB2 receptors, scientists believe it impacts the immune system more than it does to the central nervous system. CBN has an ability to boost plasma concentration of follicle-stimulating hormones and boost testosterone level as well. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant.
Even though it is considered the fourth major cannabinoid, it is only present in tropical marijuana strains. While CBC restrains inflammatory reactions just like what CBD and THC do, it is less effective. On the bright side, experts believe that CBC’s antifungal and antibacterial abilities are stronger than that of THC and CBD.
Cannabigerol or CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and an effective antibacterial against gram-positive fungi, bacteria, and myobacteria. In fact, its antibacterial power is stronger than that of THC and CBD. In addition, even though it is present in small amounts, it can act as a biosynthetic precursor to CBC, CBD, and THC—meaning the body can morph CBG to another type of cannabinoid.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) exists in Cannabis indica and sativa that grow only in select countries like India, Nepal, and China. It can be an effective solution to migraine. Its psychoactive effects are yet to be fully understood. Even though it is not one of the main cannabinoids, it has its own important role: it serves as a biochemical indicative for illicit drugs because it does not act as a metabolite of THC and can be easily detected through drug tests.
There Are Numerous Ways On How CBD Can Make A Person’s Life Better:
- Cannabinoids reduces anxiety. It helps people act comfortably and with ease in situations that they are not used to, or in situations that increase their anxiety.
- Cannabinoids allows people to cool down and take a break from stress. It allows people to calm down and stop trying to control everything; it helps allow that person to be more in the present moment, instead of trying to solve every problem in their current reality.
- Cannabinoids may open the doors to communication. There are people who are unable to speak their minds (out loud) because of feeling indifferent. A mild dose of CBD reduces the anxiety.
- Cannabinoids increases the appetite. This can be very much helpful for people who do not have much appetite such as those suffering from anorexia nervosa or those undergoing chemotherapy.