Get A Tale Of Two Cannabinoids The Therapeutic Rationale For Combining Tetrahydrocannabinol And

THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the major psychoactive component and one of the 113 cannabinoids recognized in cannabis. A synthetic formulation of THC, , is FDA approved to manage chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and for appetite stimulation in HIV/AIDS anorexia.

The first discovered and best-characterized endocannabinoids are anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). An important feature of these endocannabinoids is that their precursors are present in lipid membranes.

Many of the effects of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids are mediated by two G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), CB(1) and CB(2), although additional receptors may be involved. CB(1) receptors are present in very high levels in several brain regions and in lower amounts in a more widespread fashion.

The main cannabinoids are THC and cannabidiol (CBD).

The therapeutic properties of cannabinoids include anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-oxidant, antibiotic, anticonvulsive, antiviral, antifungal, bone stimulant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, vasorelaxant, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, and anti-tumor.

Researchers have identified two cannabinoid receptors: CB1, predominantly present in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs; and CB2, predominantly found in the immune system and its associated structures.

There are two main endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system. CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells.

The CB2 receptors are mainly found on white blood cells, in the tonsils and in the spleen. The immune cells also express CB1, although there are fewer of them than CB2. In the immune system, one important function of the cannabinoid receptors is the regulation of cytokine release.