Good chemistry

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By Jessica Edwards, Herbalist correspondent

Marijuana, ganja, weed, trees, herb, Mary J, bud or flower.

There's a lot of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda about this one plant, which, prior to becoming illegal in the 1930s, was widely used as a medication. After decades of being stigmatized and with the spread of medical and recreational cannabis laws in this country, we are finding our way back to understanding the unique relationship our bodies have with this plant.

The cannabis plant presents in two main varieties: cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Sativas are recognized by their thin, light green leaves and buds, while indica varieties have dark, thick leaves and buds that are short, thick and dense. Sativas tend to produce a “head high” that is euphoric; these strains are the ones known to make people more talkative, social and engaged. Sativas can be useful in the treatment of depression and social anxiety because of these characteristics. Indicas are known for giving a “body high”; these strains are for relaxation and can result in what is known as “couch-lock,” where the person has very little physical motivation and can become more introspective as opposed to social. This makes indicas an ideal strain for nighttime use, especially for those who suffer from insomnia or nighttime restlessness.

Most strains available these days are a blend of both sativa and indica, and are known as a hybrid; hybrids combine the known, desirable effects of two or more strains. A sativa-leaning hybrid can give people mood enhancement, with just enough indica to keep an uplifting effect from becoming paranoia or anxiety. An indica-leaning hybrid can deliver all the pain relief and relaxation with just enough Sativa to allow people to still function during the day.

The active compounds that affect the brain and body are all found in a structure on the plant called trichomes. Trichomes are small resinous glands, formed mostly on the buds, or flowers, of the cannabis plant.

Trichomes contain the three types of active compounds found in the cannabis plant: flavonoids, terpenes and cannabinoids. Flavonoids are a group of plant-based compounds believed to provide health benefits. Fruits, vegetables and some beverages like tea and wine contain high amounts of flavonoids. Terpenes are the essential oils of the cannabis plant. They are aromatic oils that vaporize at low temperatures and produce strong effects on the body; they also affect receptors and neurotransmitters in the brain. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that signal cannabinoid receptors. These receptors, CB1 and CB2, are located throughout the body. CB1 receptors are found mostly in the brain. CB2 receptors are found throughout the body; they work with our immune system.

THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most famous cannabinoid, and the one responsible for the "high" or psychoactive effect. CBD, cannabidiol, is now the second most wellknown cannabinoid. THC and CBD have been the most researched of the phytocannabinoids, the powerhouse elements of the cannabis plant.

THC

THC is the most famous cannabinoid because it’s “the fun one.” It is the psychoactive compound that provides the euphoric effect that people associate with being high or “stoned” when smoked or ingested. That’s because THC is what is known as an agonist; this means it activates receptors in a part of the brain that affects memory, motor function, cognition, focus, and most notably, pleasure. THC is the plant-based version of the cannabinoid we naturally produce in our own bodies, anandamide. Known as the “bliss molecule,” it’s responsible for what is commonly known as the runner’s high.

THC binds to cannabinoid receptors found mostly in the brain and central nervous system. This produces the intoxicating effects that everyone associates with cannabis. THC has a wide range of potential short-term side effects. Depending on the strain and a person's own body chemistry, they can experience increased social effects or decreased social effects, decreasing anxiety or an increase in anxiety.

The method of THC consumption also plays a role in how a person reacts to the substance. Smoking THC causes absorption through the lungs, and the consumer experiences a more immediate effect, within seconds to a couple of minutes. When consuming THC in an edible form, the liver converts delta-9 THC to delta-11 THC. This is a slightly different chemical compound than is produced when smoking cannabis. Smoking can wear off within 30 minutes to a couple of hours at the most. The effects of ingesting edible forms of cannabis can last from about 2 to 8 hours. Consumers also tend to feel the effects more strongly when taken in an edible form. Medical cannabis patients report better long-term effects and longer-lasting effects when using edible forms of cannabis.

Vaping is also a popular form of consumption. This involves heating the cannabis just high enough to vaporize the cannabinoids without actually burning the plant material. The consumer inhales the vaporized cannabinoids in what is basically an essential oil form. What is left behind is ground cannabis flower in a mostly brown condition. This is known as “already vaporized bud,” or AVB. It still contains many active compounds and can be added directly to any food source and consumed to reap the benefits of compounds left behind in the vaporization process.

Aside from THC's intoxicating effects, researchers continue to explore the medical potential of this compound. Efforts to study these potentials have been blocked largely by legislation and the federal drug scheduling of THC as a Schedule 1 drug, identified by the government as having has no known medical value.

Despite this designation, limited studies have shown THC to have a positive effect on pain, inflammation, nausea, Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's disease and appetite loss, among a host of other conditions. Many veterans organizations have reported success in helping disabled vets treat their pain, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. As a result, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs has loosened the regulations regarding veterans use of cannabis and their ability to maintain ongoing treatment. Veterans in states with medical and recreational programs can no longer be penalized for cannabis use. Doctors at the VA are still not allowed to prescribe or suggest cannabis; they can only document their patients use.

Pharmaceutical companies have previously isolated and created a synthesized form of THC to be used in medications. Synthetic forms of marijuana have not been as effective in treatment as the whole plant therapy consumers experienced when smoking or eating edible forms. Researchers now believe that this is because cannabis works best when all of its constituents are present. This is called the “Entourage effect.” The compounds need to be together to work at maximum benefit. This is much the same as taking the active ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen and combining it with caffeine to make the brand name Excedrin. The combination with caffeine is especially effective in treating headaches. The mechanics of cannabinoids work similarly.

As perceptions change, regulations and laws will also change. With that change will come the research and study necessary to understand the potential benefits of THC and all of the other cannabinoids.

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CBD

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is the second most abundant cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant and the most abundant cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Until recently, much less was known about CBD and it's more famous relative, THC. It has gained in popularity and can now be found on the shelves of most stores and gas stations. CBD lacks the psychoactive effects of THC: While your body will react to it in various ways, it will not get you high.

The most important thing to know about CBD is that not all CBD is created equally. Some CBD available on the market doesn't even contain the active CBD; it is just the carrier oil. There are many multilevel marketing scams and low-quality CBD flooding the market as the popularity and demand for CBD increases. Full-spectrum CBD derived from the hemp plant is the best option for high quality. Companies with a quality product will provide lab reports showing the various levels of cannabinoids present.

Some low-level quality CBD is produced by pressing hemp seeds, and then isolating and extracting solely the CBD. This ensures that there is absolutely no THC in the extract. However, this method removes all of the other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids that have their own associated mechanisms and benefits. High-quality CBD is produced through various methods using a whole plant extraction process. The plant is stripped of its active cannabinoids and compounds, and concentrated for the end consumer. Sold in its dried and cured form, CBD-rich hemp can be a smokable product. This leaves the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids intact and available for the consumer.

CBD is gaining in popularity because it has shown to be useful in the treatment of inflammation and pain, and also provides a deeply relaxing effect without the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD reacts mainly with our CB2 receptors found in their highest concentration, in our immune system. The lack of a psychoactive effect can be a positive benefit for those who might have anxiety or experience fear when consuming traditional cannabis products that include THC.

The methods for consuming CBD are the same as THC. CBD-rich hemp looks, smells and tastes a lot like traditional cannabis. It can be used in a vaporizer, extracted into oils and added to food, or smoked. Forms of CBD concentrate are also available on the market. Consumers can choose from raw isolates and distillates, or purchase disposable, prefilled vape pens. There are even CBD-infused coffees on the market.

In June, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources added regulations to CBD that prohibit the sale of unprocessed hemp to consumers. In addition, the sale of any food or edible form of processed CBD is now prohibited. This means any stores currently selling CBD-infused gummies, tinctures or other ingestible forms of CBD will have to remove these items from the shelves. The sale of these products is regulated by both the FDA on the federal level and the state. Local health inspectors will start enforcing these regulations soon. The FDA prohibits the sale of any CBD product as a food additive, dietary supplement, animal feed ingredient or in the form of any products making health benefit or medicinal claims.

The research into CBD is in even earlier stages than that of THC. There have been several studies that confirm anecdotal evidence, but, to date, there have been no studies with the proper controls to prove or disprove the links between CBD and the effects and benefits consumers have reported.

This is set to change because the federal government scheduled and regulated hemp and hemp-derived CBD in a different category than traditional high THC forms of cannabis. As such, studies and more research should be forthcoming, while consumer demand and marketing continues to expand.