Beginners Guide to CBD, THC, & Cannabinoids
When trying to understand how Cannabis works for our bodies, we must first understand what it is in our bodies that responds so well to Cannabis. You will be surprised to learn this involves one of our most important bodily systems. The Endo-Cannabinoid System.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The Cannabis Plant is made up of multiple compounds. Some of which are called Cannabinoids. Our body naturally produces Cannabinoids in our Endo-Cannabinoid system. Our Endo-Cannabinoid system is present in our Limbic, Nervus and Immune systems and is essential for keeping these important systems in a balanced state. See why Cannabis can work for so many people!? When we consume Cannabis, we are essentially replenishing Cannabinoids that many of us are lacking. Because we have a natural Cannabinoid producing system inside of us, our bodies do not respond to Cannabis as a toxin in comparison to many Pharmaceutical Drugs. This enables Cannabis to be a strong contender when thinking about a Natural alternative medicine for many ailments. Take a look at this video for a more detailed explanation…
CBD and THC
There are many types of Cannabinoids present in the Cannabis Plant. Two of which we are most familiar with: CBD and THC. All cannabinoids have medicinal benefits, but there is a difference in how they interact with the body. Over many years of scientific study and experimentation, we now have technology to extract certain Cannabinoids from the Cannabis Plant so that we can enjoy the medicinal effects of one without the other. Why you ask? As you may know, the use of the Cannabis plant is associated with getting “high.” What you may not know is that CBD by itself does not have those psychoactive affects whereas THC does. This is beneficial for a user interested in the medicinal effects of the Cannabis plant but did not want the “high” feeling that comes with THC. With that being said, every user has to take in consideration that medicinal benefits of cannabis are greater when the plant is taken as a whole, consuming both THC and CBD along with other compounds found in the plant. Here is an image that help us see the different Cannabinoids present in the Cannabis plant and their correlating health benefits…
Terpenes, Flavinoids & Amino Acids Too!
Terpenes, Flavinoids and Amino acids are other compounds found in the Cannabis Plant. Many people are unaware that Terpenes play a significant role in health benefits for the user. Found in all plants, Terpenes are the smells and tastes; the aroma’s a plant gives off. In the Cannabis plant there many different terpenes present, all with therapeutic effects for the user. The Image here shows different Terpene profiles you may find in a Cannabis Plant and their corresponding therapeutic properties.
The Entourage Effect
We have learned about cannabinoids, our Endo-Cannabinoid system and other important compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is also important to understand the relationship of cannabinoids when coupled together. This relationships is called The Entourage Effect. The Entourage Effect is the theory that the compounds in the Cannabis plant have a synergistic effect when taken as a whole. Meaning they have the most effect when CBD, THC and other compounds of the plant are used at the same time. For example, if CBD were to help 25% of my pain and THC were to help 25% of my pain then if taken together, I would feel relief of not 50% but 75% of my pain. When taken together they become greater than the sum of their equal parts.
There are many relationships involved here. The relationship between CBD & THC and other compounds in the Cannabis Plant. Also, the relationship between the Cannabinoids and our Endo-Cannabinoid system, or put another way, the relationship between the Cannabis plant and our bodies. Despite proven research still being young in regard to Cannabis as a Medicine, Cannabis has been working as an aid for MANY different ailments in MANY different people. Cannabis has also been a desirable natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for thousands. If you are new to Cannabis and want to see how it can help you, I encourage you to reach out to contact@mytlc.ca. We would be more than happy to assist you on this new healing pathway!
If you are interested in leaning more about CBD, THC and the Entourage Effect have a look at this video for a detailed explanation and thorough conversation with Scientist, Samantha Miller.
If you would like to see if CBD or THC would be a good option for you and have some additional questions we encourage you to contact us!
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