With each passing day, medical cannabis is proving itself to be a capable treatment for a variety of ailments. But even as its usage grows, many patients still have questions as to how exactly medical marijuana works.
That’s why Medical Marijuana Consultants (MMC) is here to debunk the myths and misconception about medical cannabis and help people better understand how cannabis can be a beneficial treatment options for numerous ailments.
One of the largest areas of misunderstanding is surrounding cannabinoids. What are cannabinoids, what do they do, and what do you need to know about these vital components of medical cannabis?
In this article, we’ll go through the types of cannabinoids (specifically the lesser-known ones) to better help you determine if medical cannabis is right for you or your loved one.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Before we get into the different types of cannabinoids, it’s important to first understand what they are.
Of the over 400 molecular compounds in cannabis, dozens are categorized as cannabinoids. The cannabinoids interact with our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is believed to contribute to the beneficial effects of medical cannabis (it’s worth noting now that extensive research continues to be carried out on cannabinoids and how exactly they produce those positive effects).
Your ECS is critical to maintaining homeostasis, an equilibrium in the body where all its many systems work in concert together to keep you feeling healthy and strong.
Your ECS helps regulate everything from pain management to depression to anxiety, which is why medical cannabis has been seen to generally have positive effects at treating conditions that involve any of the above symptoms.
Lesser- Known Types of Cannabinoids and Their Medical Potential
You’ve likely heard of THC and CBD, the two most well-known cannabinoids, but did you know that there are many other cannabinoids in medical marijuana? Here are six lesser-known cannabinoids found in medical marijuana and how they can help during medical cannabis treatments.
Cannabinol (CBN)
Cannabinol (CBN) develops as THC ages. Despite their connection, however, CBN is non-intoxicating, so it won’t produce that euphoric high feeling on its own. CBN has shown success in treating a variety of symptoms, from inflammation to bacterial infections to appetite stimulation.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
Cannabichromene (CBC) does not bind to the same receptors as THC, but it has shown to bind with receptors that can regulate pain perception. It is also non-intoxicating. It has been shown to help with pain and inflammation, maintaining the health of brain cells, and mitigating tumor growth.
Cannabidiolic (CBDA)
Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is another cannabinoid that doesn’t bind with the typical receptors that THC attaches to (known as receptors CB1 and CB2). That said, it is still shown to be rather effective at treating inflammation and pain, helping with serotonin regulation, and reducing nausea and vomiting.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
Another non-intoxicating cannabinoid, cannabigerol (CBG) has all the same been shown to have beneficial effects for your body. These include the ability to help treat anxiety, glaucoma, inflammation, and drug-resistant bacteria, as well as mitigate tumor growth and more.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a cannabinoid of special interest due to its potential to help suppress your appetite. While cannabis is usually associated with stimulating the user’s appetite (and is even used in some treatments precisely due to that property), an isolated THCV could have many benefits by producing the opposite effect.
That said, more research is still needed. It’s also worth noting that THCV is believed to produce the euphoric high feeling when taken in large doses. THCV has shown early success with treatment for diabetes, panic attacks and anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Tetrahydrocannabinolic (THCA)
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is one of the least-researched cannabinoids and therefore little is known about it. That said, there have been several preliminary studies that have shown some good results in a variety of areas. These include its ability to help reduce vomiting, mitigate pain, reduce inflammation, inhibit cancer cell growth, treat muscle spasms, support the immune system, and more.
Medical Marijuana Consulting Services and Cannabinoid Clinics
Now that we have a better understanding of the different types of cannabinoids, you now have a better knowledge of how these molecules can help treat your symptoms. If you’re interested in seeing if medical cannabis is right for you or your loved ones, then you can trust Medical Marijuana Consulting (MMC) to make the process simple, discreet, and fast.
As a leading cannabis clinic in Canada, we’ll help you identify the right medication as well as obtain a medical marijuana prescription for your symptoms. In fact, we stand out among other medical cannabinoid clinics in Canada due to our extensive knowledge and expert staff ready to answer all your questions about these molecules.
MMC is a premier cannabis clinic that’s committed to supporting Canadians as they connect with medical professionals with extensive medical marijuana expertise. Consult with a team of physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners that can provide prescriptions, help connect you with coverage for your prescription costs (if eligible), refer you to a licensed producer, and help you apply for the ACMPR license.
At MMC, it is our goal to help every patient that could be helped by medical cannabis access the medication. Join our Ambassador Program and receive $15 for every person you refer to MMC that becomes a patient.
To learn more about Medical Marijuana Consulting and how you can secure a prescription as part of your personalized medical cannabis treatment plan, book a consultation online, contact us at 844-312-5143, or email us at patientcare@medmc.ca.
