17/02/2022
The Science behind the Herb⚗️🍀
🍀Though our ancestors are likely to have had a very good understanding of therapeutic potentials of a great many plants, today many of us are disconnected from nature. However, most people have a good idea about the effect of a certain
”herb” produces! But how does Cannabis sativa produce its effect?
All Thanks go to…
🧬Cannabinoids
The plant is home to 61 unique cannabinoids, and these are part of the 400 chemicals present within the plant.
🔬Δ9THC is the most common psychotropic constituent in Cannabis.
Within Cannabis we see other psychotropic constituents too, including Δ8THC, 11-hydroxy-Δ8THC and 9-nor-9beta-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (beta-HHC).
🧬Cannabinoid Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors were first „dicovered” in 1984, although their existence had obviously long been hypothesised. We see them throughout the central nervous system, with particulary high numbers in the cerebellum and basal ganglia. We see a very low levels or, or indeed no receptors in the brain stem.
A type of receptor known as CB1 is the one which brings about the psychotropic effects when Cannabis is introduced to the body.
🧬Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are a fascinating area of study and these are endogenous compounds (compounds that occur naturally in our body) that activate the same cannabinoid receptors as the psychotropic cannabinoids in Cannabis.
It is remarkable that study of such a controversial plant led humans to gain a much deeper understanding of their own neuroscience. We found out that they are involved in pain perception, behaviour, thermolegulation, cognition, memory and in movement. Endocannabinoids and cannabinoids, despite using the same receptors, don’t always act in the same way, although the way they alter our body share many similarities.
🧬THC is a lipid (fat) found in Cannabis, and although we’re not absolutely sure why the plant makes it, we believe it is most likely to do with self-defense. Becouse of the way Cannabis plants have been cultivated, the levels of THC have increased significantly over the past four or five decades.
When THC has entered the body and made its way into the bloodstream, it can then find its way up to the brain. It stimulates receptors in the brain that are linked to pleasure. We see a raise in dopamine levels, we also believe that it influences acetylcholine metabolism, alters norepinephrine turnover, and influences biogenic amine and serotonin levels.
🧬CBD is precursor of THC, and the degradation product of THC is cannabinol (CBN), which like THC is psychotropic (but less so).
🧬Eating the fresh plant, interestingly, doesn’t produce much of psychotropic effect and this is because in the living plant most of THC is present as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid- which is psychotropically inactive. To convert it to active THC this compound must be decarhoxylated, and this requires heat and drying. The most similar process and at the same time the easiest way to do it at your own home in to use your herb vaporiser. Flowers after you „vape” them are stil suitable to eat and they still kick. Simply put your vaporiser on the lowest temperature level.