Jewel
Weed, pot, hash, bud- whatever you want to call it- everyone’s heard of the cannabis plant. From its portrayal in pop culture to its controversial status in legal and medical circles- cannabis has remained a topic of intrigue and debate for decades. However, beyond its reputation as a recreational substance, cannabis holds significant potential as a medicinal plant with a rich history dating back thousands of years.
Medical marijuana/cannabis is a broad term for the use of cannabis for treating/relieving symptoms such as chronic pain and nausea caused by medical conditions such as arthritis and cancer (to name a few) and is subject to rules and regulations to ensure safe and appropriate use. In contrast, recreational use involves the consumption of cannabis for non-medical purposes, typically to achieve intoxication or alter one’s state of mind.
This isn’t a new thing- there are records of ancient civilisations in India, China, Egypt and Greece using cannabis for medicinal properties to treat health problems such as depression and asthma. In the West cannabis wasn’t exploited for its medicinal properties until the mid-nineteenth century: in the US, it was used as a patent medicine and sold in pharmacies or available via prescription. However, in 1942 cannabis was removed from the United States Pharmacopoeia (a comprehensive collection of drug information and standards) largely due to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. This was a United States federal law that effectively criminalised cannabis and imposed heavy taxes and regulatory restrictions on it- making it difficult for manufacturers and healthcare professionals to legally obtain it. Furthermore, in 1970 cannabis was declared a Schedule 1 drug in the USA – (similar to Class A in the UK) making any research almost impossible.
Cannabinoids refer to a class of chemical compounds that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system- more on this in next weeks blog! As of the latest research, there have been over 100 cannabinoids identified in cannabis (the exact number may vary as research is still ongoing). The most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) and have both gained interest for their therapeutic applications.
THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis- responsible for the high/euphoric sensation often associated with cannabis use. In medicine, THC has been studied for its analgesic (pain-relieving), antiemetic (anti-nausea) and appetite-stimulating properties. CBD, on the other hand, is non-intoxicating and doesn’t produce a high however has potential therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) and anxiety-reducing properties. Alongside their individual effects, THC and CBD may interact with each other and other cannabinoids in cannabis producing what’s known as “the entourage effect”- suggesting the combination of multiple compounds may enhance the therapeutic benefits compared to single cannabinoids.
CBD-based medications such as Epidiolex have been shown to reduce seizure frequency in certain forms of epilepsy syndromes and have been approved and available on the NHS in the UK.
Another licensed drug available on prescription in the UK is nabilone- it is a synthetic cannabinoid medication that is structurally similar to THC. It is used for managing nausea and vomiting, particularly in patients undergoing chemotherapy (or experiencing nausea associated with other medical conditions). It works by binding to CB1 receptors, modulating neurotransmitter release and neuronal activity in areas of the brain associated with nausea and vomiting control to ultimately reduce the feeling of needing to be sick and suppress the vomiting reflex.
In the next article, I will be discussing the endocannabinoid system and how it functions, the challenges in researching medical marijuana and importantly- the risks associated with its use!
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Very insightful