Cannabis is part of family of plants called Cannabaceae. There are two main types of cannabis used within the industry and the medical fields – Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa (there are other types such as Cannabis Ruderalis, that are grown specifically for materials).
When compared the two main types of Cannabis, there is a distinctive difference. The Sativa plant is larger, grows taller and it produces more fiber and material. For those reasons the Sativa plant is mainly grown as hemp for industrial purposes – food and materials. On the other hand, Cannabis Indica is a smaller, denser plant, that is mainly grown for medical or recreational use, both as hemp and marijuana. Often, depending on the industry requirements and medical demands, different markets create hybrid strains, which is a combination between Sativa and Indica (currently on the world market there are thousands of different cannabis strains, whether they are pure Sativa, pure Indica, or a hybrid).
Now what is the difference between hemp and marijuana?
The main and the only important difference between marijuana and hemp is that the marijuana plant produces significant amounts of the psychotropic cannabinoid called THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). While the hemp plant, to be recognized as a hemp plant, must produce maximum of up to 0.3% of THC (or 0.2% depending on local laws). Just for comparison, a marijuana plant can produce more than 30% THC content. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid within the cannabis plant that creates the famous “high” feeling and it is still recognized as a narcotic substance if above the allowed 0.3% within the EU laws.
The cultivation of hemp worldwide has been consistently increasing as well as the interest in different hemp products, from materials to medical products. As mentioned above there are different strains of hemp created for different purposes. In industrial hemp growing, it is important to cultivate hemp that produces bigger plants with more fiber. These hemp fibers are used in production of foods, fabrics and textile, packaging, plastic alternatives, even construction materials. Alternatively, for the medical fields, the focus is the cultivation of medical hemp strains that produce high concentrations with specific ratios of Cannabinoids and Terpenes.
What are Cannabinoids?
The reason the Cannabis plant is so unique is the large variety and high concentration of cannabinoids it produces. There are more than 70 natural cannabinoids produced by the Cannabis plant. They are the primary reason behind the therapeutic effects of cannabis. The technical term for the cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant is phytocannabinoids, but there is another type of cannabinoids called endocannabinoids. These two types of cannabinoids share almost the same structure but have a very different origin:
- Phytocannabinoids – cannabinoids that are produced from plants (such as Cannabis).
- Endocannabinoids – cannabinoids produced within the human body by the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a receptor network within our nervous system, and the endocannabinoids are a type of neurotransmitters that interact with that network (more information on the Endocannabinoid system follows Part 2).
Out of the many types of phytocannabinoids, there are a few that are most abundant in the Cannabis plant. The two cannabinoids that are usually in the highest quantity are the CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Depending on the Cannabis plant (whether it is hemp or marijuana) it can have high CBD concentration and almost no THC, or the other way around, or a ratio between them. The other cannabinoids that, although in lower concentrations than CBD and THC, are often present in cannabis are: CBC (Cannabichromene), CBG (Cannabigerol), CBN (Cannabinol), CBDV (Cannabidivarin), CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). And there are more, however these are the ones that have been studied most intensively for their medical applications and are used in hemp products.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are volatile compounds that are produced by almost every plant. In nature there are thousands of different types of terpenes, and although very similar in structure, every single type has a unique taste and aroma. Terpenes are proven to be safe for consumption and are widely used in the food and cosmetic industries. Some of the most recognizable terpenes include linalool, myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene, terpinolene, citronellol, camphene, and pinene. The human body has strong sensitivity to these compounds, and they have been shown to produce different responses in our bodies. This sensitivity is the reason why we can recognize the taste and smell of different types of herbs and spices, to feel the energizing effect of the orange aroma, or the relaxing properties of the lavender. Our anatomy is equipped with receptors that capture these terpenes and these receptors communicate the information with the rest of the body. This interaction between nature and the human body is at the bases of aromatherapy and has been studied for thousands of years by our predecessors.
The Cannabis is one of the plants with the highest terpene concentration and terpene variety. Different cannabis strains have different terpene profiles. In the medical marijuana field (in the countries that has been legalized), the terpene profile is a determining factor for the use of the cannabis strain. Whether it will be used to aid insomnia, or anxiety and PTSD, or alleviate physical pain, or help aid a different condition, these strains are carefully cultivated for a specific purpose. The reason for that is because terpenes, just like cannabinoids, also interact with our endocannabinoid system. In addition, it has been studied that terpenes in the cannabis plant influence the effects of the cannabinoids on our body. For that reason, the natural balance of terpenes and cannabinoids within the plant is extremely important for the health benefits of Cannabis. The effect of the natural combination of terpenes and cannabinoids in Cannabis is known in the industry as the entourage effect. The entourage effect has been proven to provide greater benefits when compared to the benefits of individual components within Cannabis.
What are Flavonoids?
Flavonoids are similar in structure to terpenes and cannabinoids and are also present in a wide range of plants. These compounds are primarily responsible for the color of plants – berries, green tea, cocoa (dark chocolate). In addition to the color, studies have shown that flavonoids exhibit antioxidant, anti-parasitic, and neuroprotective properties.
The cannabis plant has more than 20 types of flavonoids recognized up to date. Two of these types are uniquely present only in Cannabis and are called “cannflavins” which have shown strong antioxidative properties as well. Although far less abundant, similarly to terpenes, flavonoids also influence the overall effect of the cannabis plant on our body and contribute to the entourage effect.
