WHAT IS CBD?
CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in the flowers of the hemp and cannabis plant. It is extracted from industrial hemp and is the second most studied phytocannabinoid.
CBD is a safe, non-intoxicating and non-addictive substance. Furthermore, it has a strong therapeutic potential. Thus, CBD has become an appealing treatment option for a number of conditions.
CBD is a safe, non-intoxicating and non-addictive substance. Furthermore, it has a strong therapeutic potential. Thus, CBD has become an appealing treatment option for a number of conditions.
WHAT IS HEMP?
Hemp and marijuana are two different names for the Cannabis plant, both in a botanical class of Cannabis Sativa L.
In Europe, for a plant to be considered hemp, it must have a THC content of less than 0.2%. Plants with higher THC contents are considered marijuana.
Hemp, similar to Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on Earth – this being the reason why it was one of the most grown and widely used crops in past history.
In Europe, for a plant to be considered hemp, it must have a THC content of less than 0.2%. Plants with higher THC contents are considered marijuana.
Hemp, similar to Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on Earth – this being the reason why it was one of the most grown and widely used crops in past history.
WHAT IS CANNABIS?
Cannabis is a genus of plant, originating in Asia, which has three different species: sativa, indica and ruderalis. Despite being used in medicine for thousands of years, only recently have the benefits of cannabis on health and well-being been studied and confirmed.
Cannabis flowers are rich in compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids and cannabinoids, which give it its therapeutic potential. There are over 100 phytocannabinoids unique to the cannabis plant, and cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of them. One of the most studied is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is particularly known for the “high” associated with cannabis use. Other phytocannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG), also appear to have beneficial health properties, but research is still limited.
Cannabis flowers are rich in compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids and cannabinoids, which give it its therapeutic potential. There are over 100 phytocannabinoids unique to the cannabis plant, and cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of them. One of the most studied is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is particularly known for the “high” associated with cannabis use. Other phytocannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG), also appear to have beneficial health properties, but research is still limited.
What is CBG?
A lesser-known cannabinoid called cannabigerol (CBG), while not present in large quantities in most strains, is nonetheless worth learning about for a number of reasons.
Because it is present in low levels (usually less than 1%) in most cannabis strains, CBG is considered a minor cannabinoid. Cannabis plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the precursor to the three main cannabinoid lines: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). This means CBG is the mother cannabinoid – the first and primary creation cannabinoid.
CBG has been found to act on very specific physiological systems and problems, and results for medicinal use are promising:
Endocannabinoid receptors are prevalent in eye structures, and interestingly, CBG is thought to be particularly effective in treating glaucoma because it reduces intraocular pressure. It is a powerful vasodilator and has neuroprotective effects to boot.
CBG is showing great promise as a cancer fighter. Specifically, CBG was shown to block receptors that cause cancer cell growth. In one such study, it was shown to inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells in mice, thereby slowing colon cancer growth. CBG inhibited tumors and chemically-induced colon carcinogenesis, therefore demonstrating a very exciting possibility for a cure for colorectal cancer.
European research shows evidence that CBG is an effective antibacterial agent, particularly against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) microbial strains resistant to several classes of drugs. Since the 1950s, topical formulations of cannabis have been effective in skin infections, but researchers at the time were unaware of the plant’s chemical composition.
What is CBN?
CBN (cannabinol) is a non-intoxicating compound that is best known as the cannabinoid created when THC ages. For that reason, it’s usually present in high amounts in older cannabis. While this might be a turn-off for some, others seek out older cannabis just to enjoy the effects of CBN.
Here are a few of the potential benefits of CBN currently being explored in research. Keep in mind, current research on CBN is limited with very few studies demonstrating its effects in the human body.
Antibacterial
Studies on CBN have found that it may be a potent antibacterial agent. In lab settings, CBN was tested on strains of MRSA bacteria that are resistant to traditional antibiotics. Researchers found it to be a potent antibacterial agent against these resistant strains. Perhaps in the future, we will see CBN being used to fight off bacterial infections that our usual antibiotics can’t heal.
Neuroprotectant
CBN may also be a powerful neuroprotectant. In one rodent study, researchers used CBN as a treatment for ALS and found that it was able to delay the onset of the condition. While human studies need to be done, this suggests that CBN may provide a powerful tool in the fight against ALS and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Appetite stimulation
In rodent studies, CBN increased the amount of food that rat subjects ate, suggesting that it could be an effective appetite stimulant. Since some avoid THC (another well-known appetite stimulant) due to its intoxicating effects, CBN could potentially offer an alternative for those seeking the munchies without the high—but more research is needed.
Glaucoma
CBN may also be helpful for those suffering from glaucoma. One study on rabbits found that CBN (as well as THC) reduces intraocular pressure—the biggest risk factor for glaucoma. Still, research is in early stages and CBN hasn’t been shown to be superior to other glaucoma medications. More research is needed to know if cannabinoids could ever effectively replace any traditional treatments for glaucoma.
Anti-inflammatory
CBN may also be a potent anti-inflammatory agent capable of helping those with rheumatoid arthritis. In one rodent study, CBN was shown to reduce arthritis. While more research needs to be done, this could end up being an incredible help to those suffering from this debilitating condition.
What is Delta8 thc?
Delta-8 is a cannabis compound that has become popular because of its similarity to delta-9 THC, the main compound in cannabis that gets you high, causing euphoria, happiness, sedation, symptom relief, and much more. Large amounts of THC are found in a majority of cannabis strains.
The similarities between the two cannabinoids lie in their chemical structures and their names. THC’s scientific name is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-9 THC, or just delta-9. Delta-8 is short for delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC can cause effects similar to regular delta-9 THC—but they will be much less potent.
Delta-8 and delta-9 are both forms of THC. In common usage, when people refer to THC they are talking about delta-9 THC. (In this article, when we use the term “THC” without a modifier, we are referring to delta-9 THC.).
Nearly all delta-8 THC on the market today is manufactured from hemp-derived CBD, which makes it, in theory at least, part of a federally legal chain of origin.
Delta-8, like delta-9 (regular THC), binds to the body’s endocannabinoid system, which causes you to feel high. Chemically, delta-8 and delta-9 are similar in that they both have a double bond in their structures. This double bond is thought to produce the intoxicating effects that make you feel high.
Delta-8 binds to the endocannabinoid system in a slightly different fashion than Delta-9. This is what is thought to make delta-8 much less potent than regular THC. However, more research needs to be done on delta-8 and how it interacts with the body.