Cannabinoids are a group of compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors in our cells. Basically, according to their origin, we divide them into three groups. Endocannabinoids are synthesized under certain conditions in our bodies and in all vertebrates, phytocannabinoids are synthesized in certain plants, and synthetic cannabinoids are synthesized artificially in the laboratory.

So far, over 140 cannabinoids have been identified in the Cannabis Sativa plant, and the vast majority have also been isolated and analyzed. Phytocannabinoids were classified into 9 groups that differ according to the basic skeleton of the molecule (THC / THCV, CBD / CBDV, CBN / CBNV, CBC / CBCV, CBG / CBGV, CBL / CBLV, CBT-C5 / CBT-C3, CBND / CBNDV, CBE-C5 / CBE-C3).

Phytocannabinoids are very similar in structure to endocannabinoids and can consequently bind to the same receptors in our bodies. Endocannabinoid AEA is a phytocannabinoid analogue of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while 2-AG is an analogue of cannabidiol (CBD).

AEA and THC bind primarily to CB1 receptors in our bodies, which are present primarily in the central nervous system and brain. Activation of these receptors causes a feeling of intoxication (hit). d9-THC is one of the few cannabinoids to cause intoxication, the other two being d8-THC and THCV, but both significantly less than d9-THC. In addition to natural tetrahydrocannabinol, we also know the synthetic analogue, which is prepared in the laboratory. Research shows that natural is significantly more effective than a synthetic analogue, which is attributed to the combination of several molecules, especially cannabinoids and terpenes, which gives a synergistic effect ("entourage" effect).

On the other hand, the CB2 receptor is more distributed throughout the body. It is present mainly in the peripheral nervous system and in the cells of the immune system. It binds mainly to the endocannabinoid AEA and the phytocannabinoid CBD, which, like most phytocannabinoids, has no psychoactive effect. It has been the most researched cannabinoid in recent years. Research into cannabinoids and their positive and beneficial effects on our body is growing exponentially.

Cannabinoids bind to receptors in the body and are therefore divided into three groups. The first group includes agonists, which bind to receptors and trigger responses in cells. The second group includes antagonists that bind to receptors and do not trigger responses in cells. The third group includes modulators that have different affinities for receptors or directly or indirectly take care of the binding of agonists and antagonists.

In the field of cannabis and cannabinoids, the first serious research was conducted by a research group led by prof. dr. Raphael Mechoulam at the University of Jerusalem, considered the father of cannabinoids. He and his team and colleagues were the first to synthesize d9-THC, CBD, CBG and some other cannabinoids, the first in the world to isolate anandamide and 2-AG. He has published more than 350 professional scientific articles published in renowned journals. A documentary about him and his work has been made, which you can watch in the article below, we recommend watching it.

Use of cannabis and cannabinoids in medicine

As described above, cannabinoids act on two systems in the body, the nervous system (central and peripheral) and the immune system. When our endocannabinoid system is in balance or in homeostasis, we feel good. However, if the balance is upset, our well-being deteriorates. This phenomenon usually occurs due to perceptions and disturbances from the surroundings around us. That’s when our endocannabinoid system activates and tries to bring us back into balance.

The use of cannabinoids has been banned for a long time due to its long-standing prohibition.

Most research in the field of cannabinoids is in the field of palliative use, which includes the treatment of pain, nausea, insomnia and some other symptoms that negatively affect the quality of life. The next well-researched field of cannabinoid use is the field of neurodegenerative diseases, which includes Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. A third well-researched area covers disease states where pathogenesis is associated with excessive signal transduction, which includes epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Very good results of cannabinoid treatment are also in the field of inflammatory diseases, which include multiple sclerosis and the field of rheumatic conditions, which includes fibromyalgia. More and more research is also focused on the treatment of cancer symptoms and as an antitumor drug.

The number of publications has been increasing exponentially over the years. The graph below shows the number of publications by year in the PubMed.com database, which is part of the National Library of Medicine.