Guest
Brought to you by SC Laboratories and in California. Health Professionals are from CannaCenters Research California. Profiles include: THC – Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, THCA – Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid, THCV – Tetrahydrocannabivarin, CBD – Cannabidiol, CBN – Cannabinol, CBG – Cannabigerol, CBC – Cannabichromene, Terpenes – diverse group of organic HydroCarbons (C5H8). Watch online: Other information: Cannabinoids - What are Cannabinoids? Cannabinoids are a group of terpenophenolic compounds present in Cannabis (’’Cannabis sativa’’) and occur naturally in the nervous and immune systems of animals. The broader definition of cannabinoids refers to a group of substances that are structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or that bind to cannabinoid receptors. The chemical definition encompasses a variety of distinct chemical classes: the classical cannabinoids structurally related to THC, the nonclassical cannabinoids, the aminoalkylindoles, the eicosanoids related to the endocannabinoids, 1, quinolines and arylsulphonamides, and additional compounds that do not fall into these standard classes but bind to cannabinoid receptors. The term ’’cannabinoids’’ also refers to a unique group of secondary metabolites found in the cannabis plant, which are responsible for the plant’s peculiar pharmacological effects. At the present time, there are three general types of cannabinoids: ’’phytocannabinoids’’ occur uniquely in the cannabis plant; ’’endogenous cannabinoids’’ are produced in the bodies of humans and other animals; and ’’synthetic cannabinoids’’ are similar compounds produced in a laboratory. Before the 1980s, it was often speculated that cannabinoids produced their physiological and behavioral effects via nonspecific interaction with cell membranes, instead of interacting with specific membrane-bound receptors. The discovery of the first cannabinoid receptors in the 1980s helped to resolve this debate. These receptors are common in animals, and have been found in mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. At present, there are two known types of cannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2, with mounting evidence of more. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain, to be specific in the basal ganglia and in the limbic system, including the hippocampus. They are also found in the cerebellum and in both male and female reproductive systems. CB1 receptors are absent in the medulla oblongata, the part of the brain stem responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Thus, there is not a risk of respiratory or cardiovascular failure as there is with many other drugs. CB1 receptors appear to be responsible for the euphoric and anticonvulsive effects of cannabis. Cannabinoid receptor type 2 CB2 receptors are almost exclusively found in the immune system, with the greatest density in the spleen. While found only in the peripheral nervous system, a report does indicate that CB2 is expressed by a subpopulation of microglia in the human cerebellum. CB2 receptors appear to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and possibly other therapeutic effects of cannabis. Phytocannabinoids Phytocannabinoids, also called ’’natural cannabinoids’’, ’’herbal cannabinoids’’, and ’’classical cannabinoids’’, are only known to occur naturally in significant quantity in the cannabis plant, and are concentrated in a viscous resin that is produced in glandular structures known as trichomes. In addition to cannabinoids, the resin is rich in terpenes, which are largely responsible for the odour of the cannabis plant. Phytocannabinoids are nearly insoluble in water but are soluble in lipids, alcohols, and other non-polar organic solvents. However, as phenols, they form more water-soluble phenolate salts under strongly alkaline conditions. All-natural cannabinoids are derived from their respective 2-carboxylic acids (2-COOH) by decarboxylation (catalyzed by heat, light, or alkaline conditions). Types At least 66 cannabinoids have been isolated from the cannabis plant To the right the main classes of natural cannabinoids are shown. All classes derive from cannabigerol-type compounds and differ mainly in the way this precursor is cyclized. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) are the most prevalent natural cannabinoids and have received the most study. Other common cannabinoids are listed below: •CBG Cannabigerol •CBC Cannabichromene •CBL Cannabicyclol •CBV Cannabivarin •THCV Tetrahydrocannabivarin •CBDV Cannabidivarin •CBCV Cannabichromevarin •CBGV Cannabigerovarin •CBGM Cannabigerol Monoethyl Ether Tetrahydrocannabinol Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of the plant. It appears to ease moderate pain (analgetic) and to be neuroprotective. THC has approximately equal affinity for the CB1 and C
