Freedom Friday #3

Cannabinoids

What Is A Cannabinoid?

A cannabinoid is any chemical compound that acts on a cannabinoid receptor in the brain. These include endocannabinoids which get produced in the body, cannabinoids which are found in the plant cannabis, and synthetic cannabinoids manufactured in the lab.

Cannabinoid Receptors

CB1

CB1 - Cannabinoid receptor 1 - is one of two known cannabinoid receptors in the human body. These are mainly found in the brain and are the main targets for the psychoactive compound delta-9-THC.

CB2

CB2 is found in the immune system and scarcely in the brain. These are mainly linked to taking on a vital immunomodulatory role in the cell.

Cannabinoid Acids

The plant cannabis does not naturally produce the 2 most known cannabinoids - THC and CBD. These need to be activated by decarboxylation of cannabinoid acids - this is done via heat.

THCA (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)

THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw cannabis. It is the acid form of THC, which implies that it does not give a user the 'high' that TCH does, but TCHA does have a plethora of medicinal uses regardless. It has been shown that THCA has a lot of potential anti-inflammatory properties, neuroprotective properties, and can be used to treat seizures.

CBDA (Cannabidiolic acid)

CBDA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw cannabis. It is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and proliferative properties.

THCVA (Tetrahydrocanabivarinic acid)

A precursor to THCV, THCVA is a cannabinoid acid found in raw cannabis. Research has shown that it has the ability to aid in the treating of panic attacks and help with Alzheimer's.

Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is the process of heating these cannabinoid acids, making them lose a carboxyl group - the 'A' in its name - and become neutral. Carbon dioxide is produced in this conversion.

Namaste!