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The eternal question… what about the safety of cannabis extracts?
Cannabis and its extracts are becoming more and more popular in the world due to their positive properties in several areas. In Western cultures (Europe, North America) they are already found at practically every step and in various possible forms intended for ingestion.
Due to the beneficial and positive effects that are characteristic to cannabis and its extracts, this field is increasingly encountered by official medicine and research. Nowadays, the question is no longer whether cannabis has medical value. It is now primarily a matter of identifying and validating how to optimize the therapeutic use of cannabis and its extracts in a way that suits the individual’s lifestyle and situation.
One of the most common misconceptions about cannabis therapy is that it is necessary to achieve a high level of intake of individual cannabinoids in order to achieve relief of individual symptoms. The basic rule of taking and consuming cannabinoids is to start slowly with smaller amounts and doses, then gradually raise it to optimal amounts that are different for each different effect. The same is true for our bodies which are different and individuals react differently. We should talk about personalized medicine. You can read more about cannabinoid dosing here.
Ways of ingesting and consuming cannabis and its extracts
Oral ingestion
This group includes the consumption of cannabis and its extracts by eating or drinking. We are talking mainly about teas, oils, bakery products and the like, where cannabis is absorbed through stomach to the digestive system and liver. Metabolism occurs in the liver and enters the bloodstream. With this type of cannabinoid intake, the effectiveness is low. Taking cannabis and its extracts in this way is recommended if you want to alleviate stomach or digestive problems with cannabis products. Increasingly popular products are the so-called "CBD Infused" products, which include various coffees, teas, honey and other products with added cannabinoids.
Absorption through the mucous membranes of the mouth
Ingestion of cannabinoids through the mucous membrane is one of the more popular ways to consume cannabinoids. This method of consumption brings high strength and fast effect, as the active ingredients are absorbed directly through the mucous membrane of the mouth. In the area under the tongue, there are a multitude of capillaries and tiny blood vessels that allow cannabinoids to enter the bloodstream directly. If cannabis extracts are consumed in this way, cannabinoids and other active substances bypass the digestive system and liver. Cannabinoids thus pass directly into the bloodstream, which results in higher efficiency and, consequently, the need for the amount of cannabinoids consumed is lower. Hemp CBD drops and hemp CBD resin are the most suitable products for oral ingestion.
"Vaporization" (i.e. "vaping") or ingestion through the lungs
Vaping is becoming an increasingly popular way of introducing cannabinoids and terpenes into our body. In this method, the active ingredients of cannabis enter the bloodstream through the lungs, and the effectiveness is higher than the method of oral ingestion (through the stomach) or absorption through the mucosa. Veiping has an almost immediate effect, as absorption through the lungs is significantly faster than absorption through the digestive system or through the mucosa. The effect of this method of consumption will probably be shorter, as well.
Rectal usage
Suppositories are of typical pharmaceutical forms, which means that they are given into the rectum or vagina. Suppositories are the most commonly used and also the most famous for this purpose. They are made by pressing or pouring a mass consisting of an active ingredient and a carrier. This method of use is recommended when it comes to relieving gastrointestinal symptoms (eg Crohn's disease). In addition to the direct effects on the digestive system, rectal use of cannabinoids has other benefits. Thus, among others, we can achieve high yield and efficiency of cannabinoids. The intestinal membranes thus rapidly absorb high concentrations of cannabinoids, which are then distributed throughout the bloodstream.
Dermal use
Cannabinoids are very effective for a variety of skin problems. In these cases, we achieve the best results when cannabinoids are applied directly to the affected area of the skin. The skin contains cannabinoid receptors to which cannabinoids bind directly. Cannabinoids, which are applied to the skin in this way, consequently serve to eliminate problems such as dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, itching and various rashes.
Capsules
Cannabis and its extracts can also be consumed in capsules. With capsules, the intake of cannabinoids in the body is the same as with oral administration. The only difference is that in the case of ingestion with capsules, we do not feel any unpleasant taste in the oral cavity. Consumption with capsules is especially suitable for those persons who do not tolerate the unpleasant taste in the case of oral administration.
Mixing cannabinoids into food and drink
Recently, more and more products can be found on the market, marketed under the names "Water soluble CBD" or "micellar CBD". These are products, as the name suggests, that are soluble in water. Basically, in nature we find compounds that are hydrophilic or water-soluble, and on the other hand hydrophobic or oil-soluble compounds. Cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are active compounds found in cannabis. These compounds are mostly hydrophobic and therefore soluble in non-polar media such as oils. Through the use of various technologies used mainly in the field of pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids have also become available to become "water-soluble". It should be emphasized that these are not actually water-soluble molecules, but emulsions, where the oil phase is dispersed in the aqueous phase.
What about the safety of cannabis and its extracts?
In general, the use of cannabis and its extracts is safe and without side effects. It should be noted that we are talking mainly about cannabinoids that do not have a psychoactive effect. Of all the cannabinoids known and scientifically proven, only three have the side effect of intoxication. These are cannabinoids from the THC groups (d9-THC, d8-THC, THCP). Because cannabis, or most cannabis strains, contain at least some THC, it has long been banned. Most cannabinoids do not have psychoactive effects, but they have a positive effect on our body and immune system. Terpenes in combination with cannabinoids are characterized by a synergistic effect, which increases their "entourage effect".
Cannabis contains cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and some other compounds. In medicine, cannabis is used in the form of tops, extracts and synthetic analogues of active ingredients. Historical records of the use of cannabis for medical purposes date back to 2737 BC. You can read more about the health benefits of cannabis here .
Everyone first asks the following about the word cannabis: what about the safety of cannabis use and its extracts? Is this safe for my body or can I harm my body by ingesting cannabinoids?
In 2020, a team of Project CBD collaborators helped recruit individuals for a large-scale clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of daily cannabidiol use. Contrary to FDA warnings, preliminary results from the ValidCare study showed that "none of the participants had clinical evidence of liver disease."
Peter Grinspoon, M.D., an American physician, internist and cannabis specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School, said in a post that the side effects of cannabidiol use include nausea, fatigue and irritability. Cannabidiol (CBD) can increase the level of blood thinning and other medicines in your blood by competing for liver enzymes that break down these medicines. Grapefruit has a similar effect with some medications. People taking high doses of CBD may show abnormalities in liver-related blood tests. Many over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have a similar effect. Therefore, it is necessary to inform your doctor and talk to him in advance if you regularly consume large amounts of cannabinoids (> 100 mg / day).
In a 2017 study, Iffland and co-workers in a review study confirmed a favorable safety profile of CBD in humans. Most studies have been performed to treat epilepsy and psychotic disorders. The most common side effects were fatigue, diarrhea and changes in appetite / weight. Compared to other drugs used to treat these medical conditions, CBD has a better side effect profile. This could improve patient compliance and adherence to treatment. CBD is often used as adjunctive therapy. Therefore, more clinical research is needed on the effects of CBD on liver enzymes, transporters and interactions with other drugs, and to determine whether this leads to predominantly positive or negative effects (eg reduction of required doses of clobazam in epilepsy and thus side effects of clobase).
In a 2011 study, Bergamaschi and colleagues described, in the light of recent advances in cannabinoid administration in humans, that controlled use of cannabidiol may be safe in humans and animals. However, further studies are needed to elucidate possible side effects.
In a 2019 study, Silvestro and colleagues in an extensive clinical study concluded that controlled cannabinoid consumption is safe in humans and animals. Further research and studies are needed to elucidate the individual adverse reactions reported in vitro and in vivo. CBD is a compound that has been extensively researched for its potential effectiveness in treating epilepsy. Studies in infants, children, and adolescents have been reported in this review.
Conclusion
There are already a lot of articles in the scientific literature, research results and also clinical studies on the possibilities of using cannabinoids. Very little data can be found on side effects, which indicates that the use of cannabis and its extracts is safe. At the same time, we should not ignore the fact that some analogues of THC cannabinoids are psychoactive, and all other cannabinoids do not have these side effects. At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize the fact that in order to treat some of the symptoms, THC must be present, thus achieving greater effectiveness of the action of cannabinoids on our body and well-being. The FSA (Food Standards Agency) suggests that the maximum daily intake of cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) is 70 mg / day for the average healthy person weighing 70 kg, at the same time, they do not recommend the use of large quantities of CBD to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and to people who regularly take medication.
Resources:
https://www.projectcbd.org/science/expanded-clinical-study-cbd-effect-liver-adults
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22129319/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22129319/
https://repozitorij.upr.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=14003&lang=slv
https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/tox202002cbd.pdf
https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/cannabidiol-cbd
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