In the course of research on several varieties of cannabisresearchers have determined that this plant produces more than seven hundred chemical compounds.(1) More precisely, some one hundred phytocannabinoids and more than two hundred terpenoids (essential oils) have currently been identified. These two families of chemical substances explain the effects of cannabisbut also its aromas and fragrances.

How do these compounds affect the body?

The cannabislike other plants and living species, is made up ofamino acids andfatty acids, proteins, sugar,alcohol and flavonoids (secondary plant antioxidants responsible for color variations). These main elements, phytocannabinoids and terpenoids, act synergistically to enhance the pharmacological properties of each. They also help explain the different properties specific to each variety of cannabis plant.

PHYTOCANNABINOIDS

Phytocannabinoids are mainly present in cannabis plants in the form ofcarboxylic acids. Carboxylic acids are compounds found abundantly in nature in the form of lipids. By the action of a heat source (or high ambient temperature), these carboxylic acids are decarboxylated to become neutral elements, making them bioavailable. Cannabis produces over a hundred phytocannabinoids, the vast majority of which are detectable at very low concentrations, making them of negligible interest. Phytocannabinoids are characterized by four main structures:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• Cannabichromene (CBC)

Phytocannabinoid pentyles

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is the most abundant phytocannabinoid in Cannabis Sativa L (industrial hemp), and the second most abundant in other cannabis varieties. A 2008 study showed that this compound has anti-emetic and anti-cancer effects. However, more research into its medical benefits is still needed(5).

Its decarboxylated form cannabidiol (CBD), is a non-psychoactive compound with interesting medical applications. It regulates and reduces the undesirable effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by modulating its psychoactivity(3).

Affiliated to CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system and serotonin neurotransmitters,(6) the cannabidiol (CBD) is said to possess a long list of medical properties, including relief from chronic painnausea and vomitinginflammationmigrainesarthritisspasms,epilepsy,anxiety, withdrawal and schizophrenia. New properties are continually being discovered as research progresses.

 

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) is the best-known and most abundant phytocannabinoid, detectable in the cannabis plant in its natural state.

Its decarboxylated form, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is responsible for the main psychoactive effect experienced when consuming cannabis. It stimulates parts of the brain and causes the release of dopamine, resulting in a feeling ofeuphoria and well-being.

Affiliated to CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid systemdelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also has analgesic effects, relieving symptoms of pain andinflammation.(2) It also has neuroprotective effects (3) and reduces eye strain, spasticity and muscle tension.(4)

However, its psychoactivity can, at high doses, produce undesirable effects such asanxiety, tachycardia and sedation. Regular use can lead to tolerance and even dependence.

Cannabigerol (CBG)

Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is a non-psychoactive analgesic phytocannabinoid found significantly in some cannabis varieties, such as Cannabis Sativa L (industrial hemp).

Although the third most common phytocannabinoid, cannabigerol (CBG) has been far too little studied compared to its counterparts delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Yet this phytocannabinoid is the precursor of the latter, i.e. during plant growth,delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) andcannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are produced bycannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Its decarboxylated form, cannabigerol (CBG), is said to be an antibacterial agent with antiseptic and antibiotic properties, particularly effective against staphylococcus aureus(7).

In 2013, an Italian study obtained interesting results on the efficacy of cannabigerol (CBG) in relieving chronic intestinal bowel disease.(3) Cannabigerol (CBG) is also said to have anti-tumor properties for prostate or oral cancer.(8)

Cannabichromene (CBC)

Cannabichomenic acid (CBCA) is a very rare phytocannabinoid that is produced prematurely during the growth of cannabis plants.

Very little studied, cannabichromene (CBC) has no affiliation with endocannabinoid endocannabinoid receptors. It has antibiotic, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties.

Cannabinol (CBN)

Cannabinol (CBN) is a phytocannabinoid produced by theoxidation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so it is not produced by the cannabis plant. It can be detected in old samples of cannabis plants and derived derived products.

Cannabinol (CBN) is non-psychoactive in itself, but in synergy with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it can cause sedation and even dizziness in high concentrations. It has analgesic and antibacterial properties, but is also effective in relieving burns(9) and reducinganxiety.

Propyl phytocannabinoids

In some varieties of cannabis plant, notably fromSouth Africa, the precursor is no longercannabigerolic acid (CBGA) butcannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA), producingtetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA),cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA) etc...

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

Tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA) has been detected in cannabis varieties of Afghan, Pakistani and South African origin.

The psychoactivity of its decarboxylated form, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), is the subject of controversy among researchers. Some conclude that it has four times less psychoactivity than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while others rule out its psychoactivity. This discrepancy may be explained by the fact that, at low doses, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) does not act on endocannabinoid CB1 endocannabinoid receptorsendocannabinoid receptors, whereas at higher doses it does(10).

According to animal studies, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a good companion for weight loss and motivation during physical activity.(11) Like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and like cannabidiol (CBD), it is said to haveseizure-relieving properties.

Cannabidivarin (CBDV)

Cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA) has been detected in varieties of cannabis plants native toCentral Asia.

Recently studied for its medicinal virtues, its decarboxylated form, cannabidivarin (CBDV), is said to be effective againstepileptic seizures. In synergy with cannabidiol (CBD), to enhance the effectiveness of their anti-epileptic properties(12).

TERPENOIDS

Terpenoids, more commonly known as terpenes, are a family of chemical substances most commonly found in plants. With over thirty thousand species, their aromatic and fragrant compounds are used in the production ofessential plant oils. They are found not only in fruit and vegetables, but also in spices and food additives.

More than two hundred terpenes have been identified in cannabis plants, particularly in the flowers.(13) Phytocannabinoids have no taste orsmell, so it's these compounds that differentiate cannabis varieties according to their aromas and scents.

Its compounds are active at low concentrations, acting on a multitude of receptors in the body. Cannabis plants are composed of five main terpenoids:

• Pinenes (alpha and beta): inhibit the activity of brain enzymes and aid long-term memory (14) These terpenoids are found in many conifers, such as pine .
• Limonene An antidepressant,(15) it improvesmood and stimulates the brain. This terpenoid is found incitrus fruit, particularly in the peel.
• Myrcenerelaxes muscles and acts synergistically with sedatives(16) This terpenoid is particularly present in hops (the plant most closely related to cannabis).
• Beta-caryophyllene an anti-inflammatory found in black pepper and hops. Through its affiliation with the CB2 receptor of the endocannabinoid systemsystem, this terpenoid is a "dietary cannabinoid".(17) It is also the first phytocannabinoid discovered in a plant other than cannabis. This terpenoid is also used to train drug-detection dogs to detect cannabis users.
• Linalool: a slightly psychoactiveterpenoid found in lavender, has anxiolytic, analgesic, sedative and anesthetic effects.
  

Since 2001, researchers have been investigating the medicinal properties of terpenoids in synergy with phytocannabinoids(18). Terpenoids explain the variation in psychoactive effects found in different cannabis varieties (19).

Sources

Michael Backes: Medical Cannabis - What you need to know...

Franjo Grotenhermen - CBD - A cannabinoid with broad therapeutic potential

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