The Medical Benefits Of Cannabis
Marijuana, clinically known as Cannabis, is a leafy plant found in many areas around the world. Cannabis has two main subtypes: Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa (Gerich, 2015).The medical benefits of marijuana include analgesic, anti-emetic, sedative, anti-inflammatory , anti-convulsive and laxative effects (Audu, 2014).
The phytochemical composition for Cannabis involves over 500 chemical compounds of which the cannabinoids are the most clinically relevant. They can be derived from three sources: Phytocannabinoids produced by the Cannabis plant; endocannabinoids produced naturally in the body; and synthetically produced cannabinoids.The primary active compound in cannabis is Terahydrocannabinol or THC. THC is commonly known for its psychoactive …show more content…
effects on the brain but also has an effect on vomiting and nausea (Audu, 2014).
Phytocannabinoids are conducted within the endocannabinoid system, which occurs in the brain and has naturally occurring cannabinoids active in this system, namely anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol.
THC mimics the effects of anandamide. Within the endocannabinoid system there are two receptors: CB1 and CB2 which are G protein coupled receptors. (Gerich,2015). Receptor type 1 is mainly found in the brain, including the hypothalamus which regulates appetite and the brainstem which controls vomiting (Madras, 2015). Cannabinoids exert palliative effects in patients that suffer from cancer by alleviating symptoms of vomiting, nausea and pain by acting to stimulate appetite in these patients (Guzman, 2003)
There are currently two synthetically derived substances based on the chemical composition of THC which are used to treat nausea and vomiting, namely Dronabinol and Nabilone (Gerich, 2015).
The bioavailability of active cannabinoids, in cannabis, differs between administration methods. Inhalation by smoking or vaporization releases maximal levels of THC into blood within minutes, peaking at 15-30 minutes, and decreasing by 2-3 hours, while fixed dose oral delivery bioavailability is low at 10-20% due to slow absorption. The effects occur from 30-90 minutes, peaking between 2-3 hours and lasting for longer periods of 4-12 hours (Madras,
2015).
The phytochemical composition for Cannabis involves over 500 chemical compounds of which the cannabinoids are the most clinically relevant. They can be derived from three sources: Phytocannabinoids produced by the Cannabis plant; endocannabinoids produced naturally in the body; and synthetically produced cannabinoids.The primary active compound in cannabis is Terahydrocannabinol or THC. THC is commonly known for its psychoactive …show more content…
effects on the brain but also has an effect on vomiting and nausea (Audu, 2014).
Phytocannabinoids are conducted within the endocannabinoid system, which occurs in the brain and has naturally occurring cannabinoids active in this system, namely anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol.
THC mimics the effects of anandamide. Within the endocannabinoid system there are two receptors: CB1 and CB2 which are G protein coupled receptors. (Gerich,2015). Receptor type 1 is mainly found in the brain, including the hypothalamus which regulates appetite and the brainstem which controls vomiting (Madras, 2015). Cannabinoids exert palliative effects in patients that suffer from cancer by alleviating symptoms of vomiting, nausea and pain by acting to stimulate appetite in these patients (Guzman, 2003)
There are currently two synthetically derived substances based on the chemical composition of THC which are used to treat nausea and vomiting, namely Dronabinol and Nabilone (Gerich, 2015).
The bioavailability of active cannabinoids, in cannabis, differs between administration methods. Inhalation by smoking or vaporization releases maximal levels of THC into blood within minutes, peaking at 15-30 minutes, and decreasing by 2-3 hours, while fixed dose oral delivery bioavailability is low at 10-20% due to slow absorption. The effects occur from 30-90 minutes, peaking between 2-3 hours and lasting for longer periods of 4-12 hours (Madras,
2015).