OCT/NOV 2017
27
ACTIVE CANNABIS
By Martin James
There are many of you out there that still look at cannabis as a recre-
ational drug, a pastime for those that like to listen to reggae music and
ride longboards. But since Oregon legalized cannabis in 2015, more and
more people have been turning to cannabis as a medicine and treatment.
Cannabis is used by everyone from cancer and parkinson’s patients
to athletes and insomniacs. While still federally illegal, cannabis has
been shown to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, suppress anxiety and
even reverse tumor growth. There is a huge variety of products on the
market now as well, ranging from salves and lotions, to tinctures, mints
and drinks. For those not comfortable with smoking and the associated
psychoactive effects, there are now ways to ease the pain with small
dosages and well tested products.
In the future, this column will explore a number of these products and
how they can be used to treat different issues, however we want to start
with a base knowledge. Rather than throw out acronyms and confusing
jargon from the start, let’s begin with some of the important terminol-
ogy and dispel the rumors you might have heard about cannabis and its
use. Here is a quick glossary of terms and compounds associated with
cannabis:
Cannabinoids- While this term my sound like a foreign language to you,
it is important to understand before dissecting the specific molecules
found in cannabis. Cannabinoids are produced in the plant as secondary
metabolites and are believed to act as an immune system. In our bodies,
we produce similar naturally occurring cannabinoids that react with the
receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS). For example, when you
exercise, you release anandamide (a cannabinoid produced in your body)
into the blood which travels to the brain and causes a “runner’s high”. Not
only does our ECS receive the cannabinoids found in our body, but the
cannabinoids found in cannabis (THC and CBD primarily) can activate
these receptors as well.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)- This is the most well known cannabinoid,
because the euphoric high that it produces is so pronounced and imme-
diately felt. While many who consume cannabis are only after this effect,
there are many that are turned off by the effects and find the high un-
comfortable and anxious. Aside from the psychoactive effects however,
THC can be used to treat a number of ailments from PTSD to arthritis to
migraines to ADHD and cancer.
CBD (Cannabidiol)- Though cannabis has been cultivated for THC for
thousands of years, we have only recently learned about cannabidiol
(CBD) and its wonderful therapeutic effects. CBD is non-psychoactive,
so it doesn’t get you “high”, but it is believed to be anti-anxiety, anti-de-
pressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, anti-psychotic, neuroprotective,
and pain relieving. While CBD alone can be an effective treatment for
anxiety or seizures, for pain and sleep it is often best used in combination
with THC. Both cannabinoids engage the receptors in different ways, so
having both CBD and THC (often 1:1 or 2:1 ratio) can be more effective.
CBD is also known to directly or indirectly affect vanilloid, serotonin, and
adenosine receptors.
Terpenes- Although not technically a cannabinoid, terpenes are a huge
part of cannabis both as a plant and a medicine. Terpenes are the
fragrant oils associated with cannabis, lending the citrus, pine, pepper,
sweet, or earthy flavor to the plant. Beyond lending flavor and taste to
cannabis, terpenes can also act on receptors and neurotransmitters.
They can act as serotonin uptake inhibitors, like antidepressants, and
they increase dopamine activity. Different terpenes are found in different
strains and provide both a variety of smells and medical benefits. Strains
that smell of clove are sedative and relaxing (myrcene); piney aromas
are often good for mental alertness and memory (pinene); and lemony
strains are uplifting in mood and attitude (limonene).
Whole Plant Medicine- This refers to any medicine that contains the full
spectrum of cannabis compounds. While CBD or THC specific products
have become popular in recent years, the presence of terpenes and can-
nabinoids together is thought to be more effective. The collaboration of
these compounds is referred to as the “entourage” or “ensemble” effect.
There are currently a variety of products on the market that are high in CBD. Wyld Strawberry Gummies and
Mr. Moxey’s Ginger Mints (pictured above) are high in CBD, low THC, and come in easy to dose servings.
Leif Goods makes a Peanut Butter and Jelly and a Mint Hibiscus (pictured below) chocolate bar that are a
1:1 ratio, CBD to THC.