The term cannabinoid refers to one of a number of chemical compounds found in the

weed plant. If we want to get technical about things, the proper name for these plant-
based molecules is phytocannabinoid. Cannabinoid receptors are distributed in the
central nervous system and many peripheral tissues, including immune system,
reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts, sympathetic ganglia, endocrine glands, arteries,
lung and heart. Properties of CB receptor agonists that are of therapeutic interest
include analgesia, muscle relaxation, immunosuppression, anti-inflammation, anti-
allergic effects, improvement of mood, stimulation of appetite, lowering of intraocular
pressure, bronchodilation, neuroprotection and antineoplastic effects. A famous
example of this is marijuana. When you smoke or ingest marijuana, these are the
chemicals that interact with cells in your body to produce either medical benefits or
grave disadvantages.

The Most Common Cannabinoids Found in Cannabis

Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA)

THCA is the main constituent in raw cannabis. THCA converts to 9-THC when burned,
vaporized, or heated at a certain temperature. THCA, CBDA, CBGA, and other acidic
cannabinoids hold the most COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition, contributing to cannabis anti-
inflammatory effects. This cannabinoid also acts as an antiproliferative and
antispasmodic.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

The most abundant cannabinoid present in marijuana, THC is responsible for cannabis
most well-known psychoactive effects. Most of THCs effects happen in the brain, where
the chemical interacts with receptors on brain cells called cannibinoid receptors. Our
bodies actually make chemicals very similar to THC, which are used in normal brain
function and development. THC co-opts these natural pathways to produce most of its
effects.THC acts as a partial agonist at the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The compound is a
mild analgesic, or painkiller, and cellular research has shown that it has antioxidant
activity.

Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)

CBDA, similar to THCA, is the main constituent in cannabis with elevated CBD levels.
CBDA selectively inhibits the COX-2 enzyme, contributing to cannabis anti-
inflammatory effects.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD has tremendous medical potential. This is particularly true when the correct ratio of
CBD to THC is applied to treat a particular condition. CBD acts as an antagonist at both
the CB1 and CB2 receptors, yet it has a low binding affinity for both. This suggests that
CBDs mechanism of action is mediated by other receptors in the brain and body.

Cannabinol (CBN)

CBN is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that is produced from the degradation of

THC. There is usually very little to no CBN in a fresh plant. CBN acts as a weak agonist
at both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, with greater affinity for CB2 receptors than CB1.
The degradation of THC into CBN is often described as creating a sedative effect,
known as a couch lock.
Cannabigerol (CBG)

A non-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBGs antibacterial effects can alter the overall effects
of cannabis. CBG is known to kill or slow bacterial growth, reduce inflammation,
(particularly in its acidic CBGA form,) inhibit cell growth in tumor/cancer cells, and
promote bone growth. It acts as a low-affinity antagonist at the CB1 receptor. CBG
pharmacological activity at the CB2 receptor is currently unknown.

Cannabichromene (CBC)

CBC is most frequently found in tropical cannabis varieties. CBC is known to relieve
pain, reduce inflammation, inhibit cell growth in tumor/cancer cells, and promote bone
growth. The effects of CBC appear to be mediated through non-cannabinoid receptor
interactions.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

THCV is a minor cannabinoid found in only some strains of cannabis. The only
structural difference between THCV and THC is the presence of a propyl (3 carbon)
group, rather than a pentyl (5 carbon) group, on the molecule. Though this variation
may seem subtle, it causes THCV to produce very different effects than THC. These
effects include a reduction in panic attacks, suppression of appetite, and the promotion
of bone growth. THCV acts as an antagonist at the CB1 receptor and a partial agonist at
the CB2 receptor.
Cannabidivarin (CBDV)

Like THCV, CBDV differs from CBD only by the substitution of a pentyl (5 carbon) for a
propyl (3 carbon) sidechain. Although research on CBDV is still in its initial stages,
recent studies have shown promise for its use in the management of epilepsy. This is
due to its action at TRPV1 receptors and modulation of gene expression.

Top 10 benefits of cannabis

1. Inhibit cancer growth
2. Reduce neurological impairment
3. Relax muscles, anti-spasmodic
4. Prevent migraine
5. Treats glaucoma
6. Treat ADD, ADHD
7. Reduce IBS, Crohns disease
8. Prevent Alzheimers
9. Treats PMS
10. Anti- psychotic

PRO
"There is now promising research into the
use of marijuana that could impact tens of
thousands of children and adults, including
treatment for cancer, epilepsy and
Alzheimer's, to name a few. With regard to
pain alone, marijuana could greatly reduce
the demand for narcotics and
simultaneously decrease the number of
accidental painkiller overdoses, which are
the greatest cause of preventable death in
this country... Marijuana is a medicine, that
should be studied and treated like any
other medicine."
CON
"[T]here really is no such thing as medical
marijuana... The dangers and risks of
marijuana use are well-known by the
scientific community, even if they are
downplayed by corporate interests wishing
to get rich off of legalization. Apathy, lost
productivity, addictive disease,
deterioration in intellectual function, motor
vehicle accidents, and psychosis are all
among the negative outcomes. All from a
product that has no demonstrated benefit.
For nearly all conditions for which
marijuana has purported benefits, we

Sanjay Gupta, MD
Medical Correspondent for CNN
"It's Time for a Medical Marijuana
Revolution," cnn.com
Apr. 20, 2016
Euphoria
When THC hits brain cells, it causes them
to release dopamine, a feel-good brain
chemical. This is a part of the brains
reward system, which makes you feel
good when you do things that ensure the
survival of yourself and your offspring.
These things include eating and having
sex.
When over-excited by drugs, the reward
system creates feelings of euphoria.
It controls epileptic seizures.
Marijuana use can prevent epileptic
seizures, a 2003 study showed.
already have existing medications - safe
medications - demonstrated to have
value."
Stuart Gitlow, MD, MPH, MBA
Former President of the ASAM Board of
Directors
It blocks memory formation.
The active ingredient in marijuana acts in
the part of the brain called the
hippocampus to alter the way information
is processed and how memories are
formed. This blockage of memory
formation can cause cognitive impairment
in adulthood if use happens during
adolescence, at least in rats. It can also
quicken age-related brain cell loss, though
marijuana has been shown to slow the
progression of Alzheimers disease.
THC messes with your balance.
THC messes with brain areas called the
cerebellum and basal ganglia, which
regulate balance, posture, coordination,
and reaction time. When these brain areas
are disturbed, the user has a harder time
walking and talking correctly, becoming
quite clumsy. It also impacts their ability to
drive.
Marijuana treats inflammatory bowel
diseases.
Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
like Crohns disease and ulcerative
colitis could benefit from marijuana use,
studies suggest.
THC-like compounds made by the body
increase the permeability of the intestines,
allowing bacteria in. The plant-derived
cannabinoids in marijuana block these
body-cannabinoids, preventing this
permeability and making the intestinal cells
bond together tighter.
THC slows the progression of Alzheimers
disease.
Marijuana may be able to slow the
progression of Alzheimers disease, a
study led by Kim Janda of the Scripps
Research Institute suggests.
The 2006 study, published in the
journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, found
that THC, the active chemical in marijuana,
slows the formation of amyloid plaques by
blocking the enzyme in the brain that
makes them. These plaques are what kill
brain cells and cause Alzheimers.
Cannabis use may increase the risk of
depression.
Although there is no conclusive evidence
that marijuana makes users depressed
(its just as likely that people who are
depressed use pot), one recent study from
the Netherlands found that smoking
cannabis increases the risk of depression
for young people who have a genetic
vulnerability to the mental illness.
In the long-term, smoking marijuana
increased depressive symptoms in
subjects with a special serotonin gene
responsible for increased risk of
depression.
Marijuana users may experience
psychosis.
Marijuana users who have taken large
doses of the drug may experience acute
psychosis, which includes hallucinations,
delusions, and a loss of the sense of
personal identity. These episodes may be
related to the link between marijuana use
and psychosis, but are distinct.
A chemical found in marijuana stops Intense anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic are
cancer from spreading. common side effects.

One chemical found in marijuana, called Somewhere between 20 and 30 percent of

cannabidiol, prevents cancer from recreational marijuana users react with
spreading. intense anxiety after taking the drug,
making it one of the most commonly
Cannabidiol stops cancer by turning off a reported side effects.
gene called Id-1, the study, published in
the journal Molecular Cancer
Therapeutics, found. Cancer cells make
more copies of this gene than non-
cancerous cells, and it helps them spread
through the body.

The researchers studied breast cancer

cells in the lab that had high expression
levels of Id-1 and treated them with
cannabidiol. After treatment the cells had
decreased Id-1 expression and were less
aggressive spreaders.

REFERENCES:
Cannabinoids. - PubMed - NCBI. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16266285

Explore Cannabinoids - SC Labs. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://sclabs.com/cannabinoids/

The positives and negatives: How marijuana affects your brain and body. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.thejournal.ie/marijauan-health-effects-legalised-
medical-negative-positve-1256236-Jan2014/

Top 10 Pros & Cons - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000141