Phytocannabinoids PDF

What are Phytocannabinoids? Phytocannabinoids: cannabinoids that naturally occur in plants Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that occur naturally in plants. Since cannabinoids were first found in cannabis, we use the term “cannabinoids”, regardless of what plant they are found. Some phytocannabin...

What are Phytocannabinoids? Phytocannabinoids: cannabinoids that naturally occur in plants Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that occur naturally in plants. Since cannabinoids were first found in cannabis, we use the term “cannabinoids”, regardless of what plant they are found. Some phytocannabinoids are more mainstream than others. THC and CBD are the MOST COMMON cannabinoids. There are hundreds of cannabinoids in the cannabis species and even more to be discovered. Cannabinoids, whether from the body or from a plant, act upon our Endocannabinoid System. They bind to our CB1 and CB2 receptors. Some cannabinoids produce a psychoactive effect while others do not. Some cannabinoids make you tired and others give you energy. To help your patient find the best product for them you may consider the cannabinoid content. Finding the right cannabinoid profile for your patient can be the difference between a small improvement and a substantial one. We will discuss the more common cannabinoids. Δ-9-THC THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most known and prominent cannabinoid to date. It is the one we all recognize as the cannabinoid that “gets you high”, or produces a psychoactive effect. *Psychoactive means it has an effect on the brain. Psychotropic means it has a HIGH effect on the brain. We misuse the word psychoactive in the cannabis industry. Effects of Δ-9-THC “Gets you high”, or produces a psychoactive effect Pain Relief Anti-nausea Anti-anxiety* Helps with Spasticity Helps with Sleep Mood Elevation/Euphoria Anti-cancer Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Neuroprotectant Reduce vomiting Stimulates appetite Fun Facts: Δ-9-THC Incomplete absorption in the lungs Greater bioavailability when consumed with a high fat diet Stored in fatty tissue Crosses the blood-brain barrier First pass metabolism in the liver converts delta-9-THC into 11-hydroxy-THC by enzymes called CYP-450s (when you consume/eat THC). This is why edibles “feel stronger” and last longer. Partial agonist at CB1 and CB2 Excreted as carboxy THC, which has been glucoranated, or as 11-hydroxy-THC After about 5 days, 80-90% is excreted: 65% in the feces and 20% in the urine  CBD The second most commonly known cannabinoid is CBD, or Cannabidiol. CBD is known for being the “one that doesn’t get you high”. With CBD, it’s not what you feel, it’s what you don’t feel. Effects of CBD Inhibition of GI Acitivity Anti-inflammatory Pain Relief Anti-seizure Anti-anxiety Mood Elevation Antibacterial Anti-cancer Antioxidant Antipsychotic Neuroprotectant Promotes bone growth Reduces Depression Reduces vomiting Anti-nausea Reduces intra-ocular pressure Stimulates appetite Fun Facts: CBD Not intoxicating No tolerance or withdrawal Alerting effects in lower doses Can be used to treat THC withdrawal Allows brain-produced endocannabinoids to last longer by inhibiting FAAH  Negative allosteric modulator at CB1 Inverse agonist at CB2 Better absorption with food Does not appear to affect THC absorption Stored in fatty tissues Crosses the blood-brain barrier Excreted intact Exreted mainly through feces, but also through urine CBD-A CBD-A, or Cannabidiolic Acid, when heated, loses its acid group and becomes CBD. Simply put, CBD-A is the acidic state of CBD in the cannabis plant, before you combust or vaporize the plant material. Effects of CBD-A Anti-anxiety Anti-depressant Anti-inflammatory Potential anti-seizure Reduces vomiting Anti-nausea Pain Relief Fun Facts: CBD-A Not intoxicating Found in RAW cannabis More potent than CBD for anti-nausea effects Pain relief may be enhanced in combination with THC  CBD-V CBD-V, or Cannabidivarin, is similar to CBD. CBD-V is non- psychoactive. Currently, pharmaceutical drug manufacturers are working on a synthetic CBD-V drug. Effects of CBD-V Anti-convulsant Relieves nuropathic pain Fun Facts: CBD-V Not intoxicating May help in Rett syndrome CBG CBG, or Cannabigerol, is the godmother of all cannabinoids. When the cannabis plant is forming, the very first cannabinoid it creates is CBG. Then, THC and CBD branch off of CBG and create the rest of the cannabinoids. Effects of CBG Antibacterial/anti-MRSA Anticancer Antidepressant Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Anti-psoriasis Neuroprotectant Promotes bone growth  Reduces bladder spasms Reduces bowel inflammation Reduces intraocular pressure Reduces/eliminates nausea and vomiting Stimulates appetite Fun Facts: CBG Not intoxicating Found in higher amounts in hemp May block anti-nausea effects of CBD May enhance anti-inflammatory effects of CBD CBN CBN, or Cannabinol, is the cannabinoid known for making you tired. It is formed when THC oxidizes with time or light. Simply put, THC turns into CBN as it ages. Effects of CBN Antibacterial Anticonvulsant Promotes bone growth Reduces intraocular pressure Relieves pain Stimulates appetite Helos with Sleep Fun Facts: CBN A breakdown product of THC CBN content increases as THC degrades over time May enhance the intoxicating effects of THC Not present in freshly cut flowers  Δ-8-THC Known as simply delta-8, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, or Δ-8-THC has become a recent phenomenon in the cannabis arena. Hemp shops across America started touted this cannabinoid as a THC “high” without the failed drug test. There is still a lot to learn about this cannabinoid. Effects of Δ-8-THC Anti-anxiety Anti-cancer Neuroprotectant Reduces intraocular pressure Reduces nausea and vomiting Relieves pain Stimulates appetite Fun Facts: Δ-8-THC Conflicting research on whether or not it is intoxicating Concentrated amounts of delta-8 THC are typically manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol. The natural amount of delta-8 THC in hemp is very low, and additional chemicals are needed to convert other cannabinoids in hemp, like CBD, into delta-8 THC (i.e., synthetic conversion). THC-A Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THC-A, is the acidic precursor to THC. It exists in raw and living cannabis. When heated, it loses its acid group and converts into delta-9-THC. Left in its natural state, this cannabinoid is non-intoxicating. Effects of THC-A Anticonvulsant Anti-inflammatory Antispasmodic Blocks anticipatory nausea Neuroprotectant Potential antidepressant Fun Facts: THC-A Not intoxicating The main compound in raw cannabis flowers Converts to THC with heat Found to be the main phytocannabinoid influencing anti-inflammatory effects in the colon THC-V Found in sativa-leaning varieties, delta-9- tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THC-V is non-psychoactive. It has been shown in rodent models to be effective at appetite control and shows potential for weight and diabetes management. Effects of THC-V Anti-cancer Anticonvulsant Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Antipsychotic Appetite suppressant  Neuroprotectant Potentially improves glucose tolerance and increases insulin sensitivity Relieves pain Fun Facts: THC-V Not intoxicating in low doses May be beneficial for Parkinson’s disease when combined with CBD Known to suppress appetite Found in Durban Poison strain