To date, the scientific study of the Cannabis sativa and
Cannabis indica plants has been an arduous and complex process due to the
limited availability of research funding and the extensive restrictions that
have been in place for those trying to characterize the therapeutic properties
of cannabis. Despite these hindrances, our understanding of this multifarious
flora has grown significantly in the past 20 years. We have familiarized
ourselves with the major constituents of interest in cannabis, the cannabinoids,
which are responsible for acting upon the endocannabinoid system.Tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC) has garnered the most attention primarily because of the psychoactive
response that it elicits.
However, THC is also
a very robust molecule, acting as a powerful analgesic, muscle relaxant,
anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic. There is also evidence that THC acts as
a neurodegenerative antioxidant, in which it was effective in treating in a
small clinical trial of agitated dementia patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, the propylated form of THC (THCV), induced
weight loss, decreased body fat and serum leptin concentrations with increased
energy expenditure in a murine study. This particular study poses interest in
creating molecules similar to THCV
as potential dietary drugs. Homologous to THC is cannabidiol (CBD), which
has been shown to modulate the psychoactive effects of THC, including anxiety,
tachycardia, hunger, and sedation. Recent cell studies indicate that CBD is
effective in vitro
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