Cannabis

Cannabis indica

Pharmacology

The Cannabis genus produces compounds called cannabinoids. The most important ones are the the psychoactive cannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and the degradation product cannabinol. Humans and animals have two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. The activation of these receptors is responsible for several medicinal and psychotropic properties of consuming cannabis. Olfactory senses are also enhanced as a result of the receptor activation.

Related Topics:
Cannabinoid - Tetrahydrocannabinol - Cannabidiol - Cannabinol - Receptors

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marijuana refers to varieties of cannabis having a high content of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), which is the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana whereas industrial hemp refers to varieties of the Cannabis plant that have a low content of Δ⁹-THC.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The controversy regarding the medicinal use of cannabis is centered not only on what is delivered but on how it is delivered. Specifically, the primary method used to deliver cannabis into a patient's system is by smoking; however, smoking poses certain possible risks. Furthermore, as discussed above, cannabis does contain high levels of a psychoactive drug, Δ⁹-THC, which some professionals see as a benefit, others a drawback.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, it is of note that Δ⁹-THC is only one of a family of about 60 bi- and tri-cyclic compounds named cannabinoids. These natural products usually contain a 1,1'-di-methyl-pyrane ring, a variedly derivatized aromatic ring and a variedly unsaturated cyclohexyl ring, and include for example the non-psychoactive cannabinol, cannabidiol and cannabinolic acid. These latter compounds have been suggested to contribute to some of the beneficial effects of cannabis, such as cell protection, immunosuppression and ant-inflammatory properties. This suggests that these non-psychoactive cannabinoids recognize the same cellular receptors as Δ⁹-THC but, due to structural differences, do not have the same side effects.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In addition, cannabis species also contain a related class of compounds, the cannflavins. These natural products usually contain a 1,4-pyrone ring fused to a variedly derivatized aromatic ring and linked to a second variedly derivatized aromatic ring, and include for example the non-psychoactive cannflavins A and B. These compounds have been suggested to contribute some of the beneficial effects of cannabis, such as analgesia and anti-inflammatory properties, and as such are considerably more effective than aspirin.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term cannabinoids refers to a family of natural products that usually contain a 1,1'-di-methyl-pyrane ring, a variedly derivatized aromatic ring and a variedly unsaturated cyclohexyl ring and their immediate chemical precursors.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term cannaflavins refers to a family of natural products that usually contain a 1,4-pyrone ring fused to a variedly derivatized aromatic ring and linked to a second variedly derivatized aromatic ring.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~