Hemp and the future of natural extracts?
Hemp: Will we receive synthetic (or isolated) cannabinoids or natural hemp extracts in the future?
Cannabis, its extracts and regulation. More and more countries are paying attention to proper regulation of cannabis use, both for medical and personal purposes, instead of banning and stigmatizing it. It is not yet known how the matter will be settled in Slovenia, but we can only hope that it will be to the greatest possible benefit of the people. One can feel the tendency of regulation in the direction of synthetic (or isolated) cannabinoids, which is by no means the best.
Natural extracts are more effective and safer
Numerous studies confirm that it is more advantageous (both in terms of therapeutic effect and safety) to consume natural cannabis extracts than synthetic ones (or individual cannabinoids isolated from natural extracts).
It is very well known that this therapeutic "bell" effect can be avoided with natural cannabis extracts. This is also proven by scientists from Israel, among others. In the scientific publication Pharmacology & Pharmacy, a study was published in 2015 (Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in Cannabidiol), in which he also participated Lumír Ondřej Hanuš. Let us recall that it is next to dr. R. Mechoulam, Hanuš, one of the leading cannabis researchers, also credited for his participation in the discovery of anandamide. It is a cannabinoid produced by our body that makes us feel blissful, inner satisfaction, happiness, and has many other functions.
In the mentioned research, the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect of the isolated was studied on mice CBD compared to the natural extract of hemp flowers. The latter in addition to abundance CBD it also contains other medicinal or beneficial active ingredients (traces of cannabinoids, bioflavonoids, terpenes...). In the first case, by increasing the dose after the initial strengthening of the therapeutic effect, a complete decline of the therapeutic effect was achieved - this bell effect, while in the second, the therapeutic effect steadily increased. Thus, swelling, pain and inflammation were effectively reduced in the tested mice when the dose of natural cannabis extract was increased. Which means that the potency of the whole extract did not decrease with increasing dose, as it did with isolated CBD, but increased. The credit for such a good result of the natural hemp extract goes to the synergy of all active ingredients present in the natural extract of hemp flowers, which create a favorable therapeutic effect in the body (the "entourage effect").
"Entourage effect" is a term that explains why herbal preparations made from the entire spectrum of a plant's active ingredients can be more effective than preparations made from a single active ingredient of this plant. "Entourage" is thought to result from interactions between cannabinoids (e.g. CBD works synergistically with THC, CBG in other cannabinoids) and between terpenes and cannabinoids. Terpenes are essential oils with characteristic aromas and flavors. Different concentrations of many essential oils can be found in hemp. Interestingly, the types of cannabis containing pinene, limonene, myrcene, linalool and caryophyllene are attributed the following therapeutic potentials: anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, calming anxiety, improving sleep, improving well-being, etc. If we know that pinene improves mental focus, myricen helps to sleep better, in short, that each essential oil has a therapeutic effect by itself, then it is logical that cannabinoids will work even more successfully in combination with them.
It is also known that the therapeutic effect of the natural extract (due to the synergy of the active ingredients) is often manifested already at lower doses. The active substances support each other also in the sense of 1 + 1 = 3. So, it is not just the sum of the effects of individual plant components, but much more.
A good example of the "entourage effect" is listening to music where one musician plays one instrument, or listening to music conjured by a great orchestra with dozens of musicians and different instruments. Which music would you rather listen to or what cannabinoid preparations would you prefer to consume?
A meta-analysis from 2018 reveals that it is better to choose natural extracts or those preparations that are made from a combination of cannabinoids and terpenes. They found that the preparations were made from pure CBD much less effective in calming and reducing epileptic seizures than preparations containing a mixture of hemp cannabinoids and terpenes. Seizure reduction was achieved in 71 % patients taking the mixture and only in 46 % patients taking isolated CBD.
It is also increasingly recognized that natural extracts are probably due to the synergy between cannabinoids safer than isolated or synthetic cannabinoids. CBD e.g. known to inhibit the side effects of THC (e.g. the onset of psychosis). A 2016 study examined the impact of smoking pure THC compared to smoking cannabis preparations that contained, in addition to THC, CBD. They found that memory problems and other cognitive impairments only occurred in people who smoked pure THC.
Experts urge to consider natural extracts
Not only the general public, but also the profession is increasingly vocal in its demand for the availability of high-quality cannabinoid preparations or medicines.
He also appealed to the regulatory authorities, among other things, by proposing the use of natural preparations from hemp Icanna Institute. Among other things, they believe that treatment with cannabinoids or hemp (its natural preparations) is a demanding process, which is inextricably linked to determining the right combination of cannabinoids or active substances from hemp and various methods of application. Our experience from abroad is helpful, but we must trust and rely primarily on ourselves and thus follow the words of doctor Ilya Reznik, they believe. As an invited lecturer in November 2016, at a press conference on the occasion of the first official school for doctors in Slovenia, he pointed out that he hopes that we will build our own system in this area and not imitate foreign problems. In Slovenia, we know and are able to grow and process hemp for medical purposes, conduct research and ensure the development of the field.
Text: Adriana Dolinar, Ph.D.Vet.Med.
Source: https://www.zazdravje.net/zdrava-medicina/prihodnost-naravnih-konopljinih-izvleckov/
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