Phytocannabinoids
Synopsis of phytocannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids are naturally occurring cannabinoids found in plants, most notably in Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Unlike endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids produced in the human body), phytocannabinoids interact with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) by binding to cannabinoid receptors (primarily CB1 and CB2), influencing a range of physiological processes including mood, pain sensation, inflammation, appetite, immune response, and sleep.
Over 100 distinct phytocannabinoids have been identified, but the most studied include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC). Each has unique effects: THC is psychoactive and associated with pain relief and appetite stimulation; CBD is non-psychoactive and widely researched for anxiety, epilepsy, inflammation, and neuroprotection; CBG and CBC are emerging for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and mood-stabilizing potential.
These compounds are primarily found in the resin glands (trichomes) of cannabis flowers and are lipophilic, meaning they dissolve in fats and oils. Their effects depend on dosage, method of consumption, presence of other cannabinoids and terpenes (entourage effect), and individual biochemistry. Phytocannabinoids are now available in various forms including oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles, and topical products.
Historical Use in Medicine:
The medicinal use of cannabis dates back thousands of years. Ancient Chinese texts, such as the Shennong Ben Cao Jing (circa 2700 BCE), mention cannabis as a treatment for conditions like malaria, constipation, rheumatic pain, and absent-mindedness. In ancient India, cannabis was included in the Ayurvedic system as a sacred plant with applications in pain relief, anxiety, and digestive disorders, often consumed in preparations like bhang.
In the Middle East, Arabic physicians used cannabis during the Islamic Golden Age for epilepsy and as a general analgesic. By the 19th century, Western physicians began incorporating cannabis extracts into pharmacopoeias for neuralgia, migraines, and menstrual cramps, with notable endorsements by physicians like Sir William Osler.
Cannabis use declined in the 20th century due to legal restrictions, but research resumed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries with the discovery of the ECS and isolation of individual cannabinoids. This ushered in a new era of evidence-based interest in phytocannabinoids, especially for chronic pain, epilepsy (notably Dravet syndrome), anxiety, PTSD, and inflammatory diseases. Today, phytocannabinoids represent a rapidly growing field in integrative and functional medicine.
Phytocannabinoids is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Scientific)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Scientific)
Addictions (drugs) (Scientific)
Addictions (general remedies for) (Scientific)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing) (Scientific)
Alzheimer's Disease (Scientific)
Anxiety (Scientific)
Anxiety Disorders (Scientific)
Appetite (deficient) (Scientific)
Arthritis (Scientific)
Asthma (Scientific)
Autism (Scientific)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Crohn's Disease (Scientific)
Dementia (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Dysmenorrhea (Scientific)
Epilepsy (Scientific)
Glaucoma (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Insomnia (Scientific)
Lupus (Scientific)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Migraine (Scientific)
Multiple Sclerosis (Scientific)
Muscle Tone (lack of) (Scientific)
Nausea and Vomiting (Scientific)
Parkinson's Disease (Scientific)
phytocannabinoids is used to support these body systems
Brain (Scientific)
Digestive System (Scientific)
Dopamine (Scientific)
GABA (Scientific)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Hypothalamus (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Joints (Scientific)
Muscles (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Scientific)
Serotonin (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
Specific Neurotransmitters (Scientific)
Sympathetic Nervous System (Scientific)
