Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that act upon receptors in our bodies to produce physiological and psychological effects. Cannabinoids are the essential compounds in cannabis that provide most of the medicinal benefits.

However, cannabinoids also occur naturally in our bodies.

Cannabinoids are “endogenous” to our bodies, meaning they are developed “within” our bodies. This “Endogenous Cannabinoid System” is vital to our well being and is commonly referred to as the “Endocannabinoid System” or “ECS“. The endocannabinoid system is present in all animals, not just humans.

The Endocannabinoid System is explained well on Leafly, and states, “The endocannabinoid system is like the Internet of your body — a communications network facilitating communications between your brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. The primary goal of the ECS is homeostasis — helping your body maintain a stable internal environment.”

Two distinct types of cannabinoid receptors have been discovered in our bodies… CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system and CB2 receptors in our immune system, our gastrointestinal system, and other organs outside the brain.

When cannabinoids activate CB1 or CB2 receptors, they change the way our cells function.

Cannabinoids act in a way that utilizes “retrograde” signalling. That is they cause a “backwards” effect on the process occurring in a target cell.

During normal neurotransmitter exchange, neurotransmitters are released from nerve cells and bind to receptors on a target cell leading to either an excitation (increase) or inhibition (decrease) of that cell’s activities. CB1 receptors for cannabinoids located on nerve cells cause the cell to decrease the level of neurotransmitter release on excitatory (enhanced activity) neurons and to increase the level of neurotransmitter release on inhibitory (hinder or restrain) neurons thus regulating our system.

This might be compared to a thermostat controlling the temperature in our house….when the house is too cold the thermostat increases the heat by telling the furnace to blow warm air and when the house is too warm it decreases the heat by telling the furnace to blow cold air thus keeping the house at a constant temperature.

For instance, conditions such as epilepsy are caused by an excessive release of excitatory neurons. Cannabinoids may play a therapeutic role in such a condition because they have been shown to inhibit the excessive release of neurons.

If the cannabinoids in our own endocannabinoid system are lacking, and not regulating our system as they should, then it is possible that the cannabinoids in cannabis may help to improve this function.

Here is a very interesting video of how the Endocannabinoid System works:

The trichomes on the cannabis plant contain about 100 different cannabinoids….some reports say 88 while some say as many as 133… and these cannabinoids in cannabis mimic the cannabinoids present in our own Endocannabinoid System.

It’s as if God, (whatever you perceive that to be), created the cannabis plant to aid our Endocannabinoid System when it gets out of whack and maybe that is, at least partly, why it is so effective as a medicine for so many conditions.

For instance, recent research by Dr. Ethan Russo, as reported on LIFT, indicates that lower levels of the endocannabinoid, “Anandamide”, may contribute to migraines.

Both anandamide and THC attach to the CB1 receptors and it is reported that cannabis was effective in reducing migraine severity and frequency in 85% of patients in one study.

A list of cannabinoids can be found on the Leafly Web Site….. HERE.

The chart below indicates which cannabinoids are thought to be effective for different medical conditions. Some of these have been proven scientifically…after all, studies of cannabinoids in cannabis have been, and continue to be, occurring in many countries all over the world. Studies in Israel have been ongoing for 50+ years.

Those who claim marijuana has not been sufficiently studied are ignorant of the volumes of papers that have been published throughout the world !

Some of the claims in this chart are based solely on anecdotal evidence, rather than scientific studies, and have yet to be proven … but that should not condemn them to being ignored.

For example, there may not be scientific evidence to prove that chocolate tastes good, either, but, if hundreds of thousands of people say it does, then you can probably be assured that it will taste good. (Especially if you just used cannabis and have the munchies !)

Do your research if you are interested in cannabis for your certain medical condition. The results of many scientific studies can be found online.

Web Sites such as LEAFLY allow you to search for strains, amongst thousands of strains, for specific medical conditions.

When researching online, however, keep in mind that you can not trust everything you read on the internet!

Social Media Sites are full of unfounded claims about the medical benefits of cannabis. Be very skeptical of most of these claims and do your research on reliable Websites.

Facebook may be a convenient way of sharing vacation pictures with your friends but it is certainly NOT a reliable source for news and findings in medical research !

I have included links to Sites with reliable information about studies of cannabis on the “Conclusion & Links” page of this Web Site.

Cannabis is an amazing plant and current studies are revealing that it may be useful in treating many medical conditions. HOWEVER, it is not a panacea or “cure all”. Don’t be led to believe it is a miraculous plant that will cure all afflictions !!

Most of the cannabinoids in cannabis require more study to determine their exact function but hundreds of studies on the two main cannabinoids in cannabis are providing a very good understanding of how they work…..

THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol).

THC is the best known cannabinoid in marijuana as it is the one that causes the “high” or “stone” associated with marijuana use. It has medical benefits for reducing chronic pain, anti nausea, anorexia, and several other conditions. THC activates the CB1 receptors in the brain to produce the “high” effect.

CBD activates mainly the CB2 receptors. It also can have an effect on the CB1 receptors and is showing a great deal of promise in treating many medical conditions. Due to the fact that it does not get you “high”, it may prove to be a preferable treatment for patients who are averse to the “intoxicating” affects of THC. In fact, studies have indicated that CBD can actually help moderate any negative effects of strong THC, such as nervousness, paranoia and panic.

When synthetic THC was first used for chemotherapy patients many of them experienced extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Without the moderating effect of CBD the straight THC was too intense.

Here is another chart that indicates which cannabinoids may be best for specific medical problems…

In some circles there is a mistaken belief that THC is the “BAD cannabinoid” (because it gets you high) and CBD is the “GOOD cannabinoid” (because it doesn’t get you high).

Each of these individual cannabinoids, however, has its’ own amazing benefits separately but combined they can be even more effective. The “high” feeling produced by THC does not necessarily have to be avoided, (except for some individuals). It can, in fact, be the more beneficial cannabinoid in treating some conditions such as nausea. For pain management both THC and CBD have been proven to be effective, but together they have been shown to be more effective than either one taken separately.

There is a synergy amongst the cannabinoids in cannabis and it is not always advisable to separate them.

There can be different ratios of the various cannabinoids but they work best together.

The Mayo Clinic had, at one time, posted recommended dosages of cannabinoids for various conditions HERE. Keep in mind, though, that synthetic may act much differently than natural cannabis.

An interesting study, “A tale of two cannabinoids: The therapeutic rationale for combining tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol” by Ethan Russo and Geoffrey W. Guy studies the relationship of these two major cannabinoids. It’s a bit of a heavy read but if you want to delve into it you can do that….HERE. If you just want the conclusion, though, it states…”The data herein presented strongly support the therapeutic rationale for combining THC and CBD for therapeutic usage.”

Even in very high CBD strains there is usually a small amount of THC…but certainly not enough to make a lava lamp seem totally “groovy and far out “!

CBD is the cannabinoid used in Charlotte’s Web, the medication that was developed by the Stanley Brothers in Colorado, that has been reported to miraculously treat seizures in many young children. It is made from a strain that is very high in CBD and very low in THC and has been specifically developed to treat these children.

Another interesting cannabinoid is CBN (Cannabinol) which is a product of THC degradation…..as THC oxidizes it converts to CBN.

CBN induces less of a psychoactive effect, it won’t get you as “stoned” as THC, and has been found to have excellent sedative effects and may help with “Restless Leg Syndrome”.

CBN will naturally occur if you leave your cannabis improperly stored for a long period of time. The effects of heat, oxygen and light will break down THC and convert it to CBN.

Marijuana kept in a glass (not plastic) oxygen-free container (“Food Saver” Vacuum) at approximately 62% humidity and stored in a cool (5℃ – 20℃) dark place can last for years but cannabis exposed to heat, light and oxygen will, over time, degrade and CBN will replace the THC. ………Good to know if you have some old dried pot and need a good nights sleep !

Boveda Humidipaks placed in an air-tight jar with your marijuana will keep the humidity at the optimal level (62%) to maintain freshness and prevent mold.

Please note:

Percentage levels of THC in cannabis should only be viewed as a “general indication” of the strength of a particular strain and how it might affect you !

There are other variables that may determine how marijuana might affect the individual user.

The physical and psychological makeup of the person, the mood of the person at that time, the chemical characteristics of an individual strain of marijuana, the method of delivery and several other factors can all influence how it will affect the user.

This is why many doctors are reluctant to prescribe marijuana as medicine. They like to know that a specific dose will result in a specific reaction and this can be difficult to do with cannabis.

As long as patients realize they must always start with a low dose until the effect on them is determined, there should not be a problem with prescribing marijuana, dry or oil, as a medication ! Always start low and go slow !

For example, I have used a strain, “Ghost Train Haze” that was tested to be 16% THC and found that strain to be much stronger than many other strains I’ve used that were tested at 24% THC.

Inhaling vapor from a “Volcano Vaporizer”, or smoking from a “bong” can result in a much stronger effect than from other ways of inhaling marijuana.

Again, always “START LOW AND GO SLOW !”. Take it easy when first trying a new strain until you know how it will affect you…..especially when ingesting cannabis edibles !!

Ingesting cannabis edibles will usually result in a stronger effect if taken on an empty stomach as opposed to ingestion on a full stomach.

The percentage levels of THC and CBD reported on the label of your Medical Marijuana bottle may give 2 readings, “Actual” and “Potential”.

The “Actual” percentage of THC will be a very low number as there is very little THC in the cannabis plant.

The “Potential” percentage of THC refers to the THCA cannabinoid which is non-psychotropic….it will not get you high. When THCA is heated it will convert to THC.

However, not all the THCA will be converted to THC….some research suggests only 75% might be converted. Therefore, the “Potential” THC percentage reported on the label may not be totally accurate.

As well as cannabinoids, studies indicate that the TERPENES in cannabis also play a roll in the effectiveness of marijuana as medicine for certain conditions. TERPENES are found in the ESSENTIAL OILS of plants and give the cannabis strains distinct flavours such as pine, citrus, berry, earth and, yes, even skunk! Different flavours may change how the cannabis affects different symptoms and possibly even influence the effect of the THC and CBD cannabinoids.

Most licensed cannabis retailers list the Terpene profile of their strains on their Web Site ensuring that a patient can select strains with Terpenes they have found to be more effective.

This wheel explains the properties of seven of the major terpenes found in marijuana. “More information about Terpenes can be found on the Leafly Web Site here.

You can see then how different combinations of THC and CBD, plus different combinations of SATIVA and INDICA, plus different combinations of TERPENES might lead to thousands of different marijuana “STRAINS”.

However, DNA testing has proven that there are not as many different strains as are being claimed.

Strains from different sources with the same name have been found to have no relationship whereas some strains with different names have been found to have the same DNA…..they are the same strain.

Growers and seed sellers can give a strain whatever name they want…..that doesn’t guarantee you’re getting what they say it is.

Perhaps, with legalization, a more standardized naming convention will eventually be adopted.

Buyers should know that if they purchase “Blue Dream” from one source that “Blue Dream” from another source will be the same, and not a different strain with different effects.

Now that you know how marijuana works, learn how it can be used….HERE