By M. Wheel-Zot
What is Cannabis?
The pharmacological term for Marijuana is Tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabivarin or (THC.) THC is the principle psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, and it’s derived from the 113 cannabinoids of the cannabis plant. The chemical formula for THC is (C21H30O2) and this psychoactive isomer is referred as Delta-9-THC. However, from this psychoactive plant comes another cannabinoid discovered in 1940 that has no psychoactive side effect which is CBD.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a Phyto cannabinoid which accounts for 40% of the cannabis plants extract. CBD is a part of the plant that doesn’t have the psychoactive side effects, which can be just as healing as THC; yet, if someone chooses not to use or ingest THC. In 2019, CBD resulted in studies related to anxiety, depression, gross motor movements, and other mood disorders, that resulted in mild to no side effects on the user. Today the research on many of the cannabinoid’s products derived from the cannabis medicine plant; are used to help with epilepsy, chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, depression, insomnia, restless legs, and neurofibromatosis. The plants medicinal uses have been so beneficial for adults that now science is developing milder forms for children who have epilepsy, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, and other childhood disorders that are chronic.
Endocannabinoid System & the Human Body.
The endocannabinoid system contains CB1 and CB2 that function as a medicine for the body when taken for most targeted ailments. When CBD is consumed or smoked or ingested into the body, the power of the cannabinoid enters the brain, and it has been found by the International Research Institute of (New York City), that the ECS system regenerates the brain to function within the brains cells and productive neurons. However, the 90’s discovery of ECS and its unique roll and synergy with the human body wasn’t something new; it has also been mentioned in ancient Sanskrit that the first endocannabinoid is called Ananda or bliss. Mother Earth in all her plant medicines has a deep-rooted connection to the human body.
These lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters that attach to the cannabinoid receptors are endogenous; meaning that its biological system contributes to the human cell receptors proteins throughout the vertebrate and the whole central nervous system including the peripheral nervous system. This is not only prevalent in humans but in animals as well, therefore the endocannabinoid system predates the marijuana plant on this live planet over two million years with other vital life systems on Earth.
Migraines.
Migraines can be one of the most debilitating headaches that a person can endure. As a migraine sufferer it can almost seem impossible to recover from the excruciating head pain. From the nausea to the throbbing of the temples, the sensitivity to any light, the sensitivity to sound, especially loud music, and bodily fatigue that comes from all the pain.
About 40 million Americans report suffering from migraines as a regular health concern and over one billion people around the world report having migraines as a common health problem. The migraine headache is no ordinary common head cold, but it’s a neurological disease that affects the brains neurotransmitters. However, many health care providers believe that these estimated numbers of migraine sufferers are low, and that there are roughly many people who go unreported and undiagnosed with neurological head pain. However, Science is turning to the cannabis plant to help consumers find pain relief.
Cannabis History.
Scythians (Persian Farmers) Leaving its Cannabis Mark in Eastern Europe:
In the fifth and sixth centuries, Russian and Polish farmers consumed hemp for health benefits. They created herbal teas and used the seeds in their breads. In the Middle Ages the Russian word for hemp was penka and was commonly brewed as a tea. During the Czar Empire in the 15th century- hemp and cannabis were used in Christmas soups, cakes, and stews believing; like A Christmas Carol; that the medicine plant opened a spiritual veil allowing them to see their departed loved ones.
Hemps seeds and hemp oils were a staple in the lower and upper classes in Russia and Poland. Until the 20th century hemp was an important export for Russia, and the United States, however in the 1930’s demand for the crop stopped as American Prohibitionists pressured the world to stop the consumption of cannabis and other medicine plants. However, today the medicine has come back from the veil of our historical connection and in full circle to bring back its healing properties to those that resonate with its benefits. Cannabis, CBD, Hemp- historically and scientifically is cultivating its healing properties back to the world.
CRISPR: Clustered- Regularly- Interspaced- Short- Palindromic- Repeats
CRISPR is an accurate genetic modification technique that can cut the DNA sequences that creates genes. In such a way that the genes will determine traits of the cannabis plant (such as leaf color, the synthesis of THC or CBD, and its cannabidiol compounds.) The Crisper technique can now modify or eliminate many of an organism’s DNA components. The outcome or plant creation in a cannabis plant can be custom designed with exact precision. What does this all mean for the medicine plant? What the Crispr techniques can do is design a plant to grow, taste, smell, and enhance the cannabidiol DNA in hundreds of different effects when consumed by the human body.
In research laboratories, scientists repeatedly use CRISPR to tailor genes in plants, bacteria, and animal models. Scientist can remove a particular gene in lab mice, like disease and other debilitating pathogens like all living organisms that grow and develop. Researchers can directly witness what traits or behaviors are affected. A large amount of gene therapy and gene modifications in the controlled laboratories have been conducted for decades because CRISPR is faster, cheaper, and more reliable. Therefore, now with the prevalent recognition of medical marijuana, large agribusinesses are getting the chance to create a major crop cash for consumers. That is why it’s so important that any consumption of the medicine plant should be researched on the purity and testing of cannabis products.
Its important that we review all that we have learned about CBD, Cannabis, and to remember the healing power of a complex plant, that has a long historical account, and how this plant is used for medicinal purposes.
Wishing Everyone “A Happy and Healthy 2023!”
Remember when using any cannabis medicine please consult with your health care provider.
