A recent scientific review on the components of marijuana ensures that “Complex interaction between phytocannabinoids and biological systems offers hope for new treatment approaches”, which can open a new era of innovation in cannabis-based medicines.
According to the report published at the beginning of the month in the Journal of Molecular Sciences, highlights the potential of cannabis medicine considering the whole plant, that incorporates the variety of cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds produced by the cannabis plant, rather than just THC or CBD alone.
“The Cannabis plant exhibits an effect called the 'entourage effect'.’, in which the combined actions of terpenes and phytocannabinoids result in effects that exceed the sum of their separate contributions”, says the study as stated Marijuana Moment.
further, emphasizes that “This synergy emphasizes how important it is to consider the whole plant when using cannabinoids for medicinal purposes. rather than simply focusing on individual cannabinoids”.
Much of the report 23 pages, prepared by pharmaceutical researchers from the Ovidus University of Constanta and the University of Medicine, Târgu Mures Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, both from Romania, includes an overview of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, as well as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabicromeno (CBC), cannabinol (CBN) y tetrahidrocannabivarina (THC-V), as well as how those compounds appear to interact with the human body.
Although the vast majority of research has studied THC and CBD, The new review indicates that “The exploration of new phytocannabinoids is evolving rapidly and offers interesting prospects for future therapeutic applications.”.
“Beyond well-established compounds like THC and CBD, The search for new cannabinoids expands the scope of potential treatments. Each cannabinoid, with its unique chemical structure, interacts differently with [endocannabinoid system], suggesting personalized therapeutic effects for specific conditions. “This exploration seeks to take advantage of similar benefits and at the same time avoid the associated drawbacks.”.
Each of the chemical components has specific effects, which the study briefly describes. The extensive review, that cites almost others 100 fuentes, recognizes that some effects are supported by solid scientific evidence, while others are still being explored.
Challenges and controversies in cannabinoid research
The review also evaluates the “challenges and controversies” surrounding the research and use of therapeutic cannabinoids, including legal and regulatory hurdles that still vary widely around the world, the lack of robust standardization of cannabinoid products and the potential for abuse and dependence, Furthermore, the above causes the investigations to be very onerous..
“Despite its potential, Legal restrictions and social stigma surrounding cannabis hamper investment in research and development (…) Complex regulatory frameworks further complicate exploration efforts. Rigorous preclinical and clinical trials are imperative to establish safety and efficacy prior to therapeutic implementation.”, add the report.
As cannabinoids and the body's own endocannabinoid system become better understood, researchers hope even more “potential in the management of various pathological diseases”.
“Phytocannabinoids offer various therapeutic applications, ranging from pain treatment to neurological disorders and inflammatory diseases. Their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make them valuable candidates for combating antibiotic resistance and modulating inflammatory pathways.”, concludes the study.
“By harnessing the synergistic effects of combination therapies and targeting multiple disease pathways, phytocannabinoids have immense potential to revolutionize the future of pharmacotherapy and improve human health outcomes”, emphasizes the document.
You can review the full study at this link.
