THC VS CBD -
WHY IS CBD NOT PSYCHOACTIVE?
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Whenever we come across the word "cannabis", we always link it with a psychoactive drug and become very skeptical about it. But it is a lesser-known fact that there are various chemical compounds that exist in the cannabis plant, to be precise – 113, out of which some can get you "high" while others are just organic chemicals with a lot of medicinal property.
CBD and THC Two primary cannabinoid molecules are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a psychotropic cannabinoid and the principal psychoactive component of cannabis. However, CBD is one of the least active cannabinoids and aggregates for roughly 40% of the cannabis plant's extract. |
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How these two compounds affect our Brain Receptors?
After decades of research, scientists made some crucial discoveries about the active ingredients in cannabis and their effect on the brain. They defined a new system for it and named it as endocannabinoid (EC) system. EC is a novel communication system which affects several important functions including how a person feels and reacts to cannabinoids.
Normally, brain cells communicate with each other and rest of parts of the body by sending chemicals (known as neurotransmitters), released by presynaptic neurons. The neurotransmitters travel through small gaps (synapse) and attach to the intended receptors located in a nearby postsynaptic neuron. This spurs the triggering of an action.
However, EC system communicates backward. Postsynaptic neurons get activated and demand cannabinoids, which are messengers of the EC system. This order is fulfilled by providing cannabinoids from fat cells, which travels backward and gets attached to cannabinoids receptors.
To make the explanation simple, let's say cannabinoids send signals to the brain, and hence they can control what will happen next. Cannabinoids function like a dimmer switch and control the flow of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. This action of cannabinoids affects how messages are transmitted and processed by the cells.
But depending on the nature of cannabinoids the effect may differ.
Why is THC psychoactive?
To understand more about CBD, we need to understand how psychotic compound THC reacts with our brain and body. Once we know the process, it is easy to comprehend why CBD is not-psychotic.
THC is the primary psychoactive compound present in Cannabis. It is the central cannabinoid which makes you "high" and significantly affects your thinking and reactions. It acts very much as cannabinoid chemical made naturally by fat cells. Whenever a person smoke or takes THC in any form, THC floods the EC system and attaches quickly to cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain and body. These cannabinoid receptors are present in brains and body which are associated with pleasure, coordination, memory and time perception.
The receptors are named as Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), found in the brain and Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), related to the immune system. When these receptors are overwhelmed with THC, it will interfere with the working of naturally occurring cannabinoids, which is enough to throw your whole system off balance. THC arouses brain cell to trick it into creating more dopamine, creating the effect of euphoria. Other effects include slowing of reaction time, causes anxiety, trouble in remembering things which just happened.
Why is CBD not psychoactive?
CBD shows very less affinity toward CB1 and CB2 receptors. In other words, CBD is a cannabinoid which doesn't react directly with cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. It is the main reason why CBD is not responsible for any showing any psychoactive effect. However, it signals these receptors indirectly and produces some non-phycological results. Interestingly, it was found in a scientific result that CBD can counter the effect of THC and produces an antipsychotic effect.
Neurologist and medical researcher Dr. Ethan Russo explained why CBD is not psychoactive. According to him, CBD does not directly bind to the orthosteric site on the cannabinoid receptors, where THC binds. CBD bind to an allosteric site on receptors, altering the binding of THC and other cannabinoids. This property of CBD helps in modulating the effect of THC. This means that if someone is feeling more anxious after taking some cannabis, it could mean that there was more THC in that cannabis than the CBD.
After decades of research, scientists made some crucial discoveries about the active ingredients in cannabis and their effect on the brain. They defined a new system for it and named it as endocannabinoid (EC) system. EC is a novel communication system which affects several important functions including how a person feels and reacts to cannabinoids.
Normally, brain cells communicate with each other and rest of parts of the body by sending chemicals (known as neurotransmitters), released by presynaptic neurons. The neurotransmitters travel through small gaps (synapse) and attach to the intended receptors located in a nearby postsynaptic neuron. This spurs the triggering of an action.
However, EC system communicates backward. Postsynaptic neurons get activated and demand cannabinoids, which are messengers of the EC system. This order is fulfilled by providing cannabinoids from fat cells, which travels backward and gets attached to cannabinoids receptors.
To make the explanation simple, let's say cannabinoids send signals to the brain, and hence they can control what will happen next. Cannabinoids function like a dimmer switch and control the flow of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. This action of cannabinoids affects how messages are transmitted and processed by the cells.
But depending on the nature of cannabinoids the effect may differ.
Why is THC psychoactive?
To understand more about CBD, we need to understand how psychotic compound THC reacts with our brain and body. Once we know the process, it is easy to comprehend why CBD is not-psychotic.
THC is the primary psychoactive compound present in Cannabis. It is the central cannabinoid which makes you "high" and significantly affects your thinking and reactions. It acts very much as cannabinoid chemical made naturally by fat cells. Whenever a person smoke or takes THC in any form, THC floods the EC system and attaches quickly to cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain and body. These cannabinoid receptors are present in brains and body which are associated with pleasure, coordination, memory and time perception.
The receptors are named as Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), found in the brain and Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), related to the immune system. When these receptors are overwhelmed with THC, it will interfere with the working of naturally occurring cannabinoids, which is enough to throw your whole system off balance. THC arouses brain cell to trick it into creating more dopamine, creating the effect of euphoria. Other effects include slowing of reaction time, causes anxiety, trouble in remembering things which just happened.
Why is CBD not psychoactive?
CBD shows very less affinity toward CB1 and CB2 receptors. In other words, CBD is a cannabinoid which doesn't react directly with cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. It is the main reason why CBD is not responsible for any showing any psychoactive effect. However, it signals these receptors indirectly and produces some non-phycological results. Interestingly, it was found in a scientific result that CBD can counter the effect of THC and produces an antipsychotic effect.
Neurologist and medical researcher Dr. Ethan Russo explained why CBD is not psychoactive. According to him, CBD does not directly bind to the orthosteric site on the cannabinoid receptors, where THC binds. CBD bind to an allosteric site on receptors, altering the binding of THC and other cannabinoids. This property of CBD helps in modulating the effect of THC. This means that if someone is feeling more anxious after taking some cannabis, it could mean that there was more THC in that cannabis than the CBD.
Medicinal Properties of CBD
You must be wondering, how CBD can be used as a medicine when it does not show any psychotic effect and not react with CB1 and CB2.
CBD does a lot more than just engaging cannabinoid receptors. CBD are found out to affect other receptors as well. Some of them are:
Leading research shows very promising results, but some of them are done on mammals other than humans. So before making a conclusive perception more research on humans are needed.
But CBD is already proved to be useful for many ailments, and patients are taking it for below treatments:
Even if CBD is not psychoactive one should take precaution not to mix it with other cannabinoids. You can take CBD by any of your preferred methods, including smoking, vaping, or making CBD-rich edibles.
Bottomline: CBD has an endless therapeutic application yet to be discovered along with its current potential. Researchers need to work hard in this direction to make it available in the form of biochemical and psychiatric medicine.
Source:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol
[3] http://herb.co/2016/07/26/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cbd/
[4] http://hightimes.com/culture/10-little-known-uses-for-cbd/
[5] http://headsup.scholastic.com/students/endocannabinoid
[6] Ameri, Angela. "The effects of cannabinoids on the brain." Progress in Neurobiology 58.4 (1999): 315-348.
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18404144
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604182/
You must be wondering, how CBD can be used as a medicine when it does not show any psychotic effect and not react with CB1 and CB2.
CBD does a lot more than just engaging cannabinoid receptors. CBD are found out to affect other receptors as well. Some of them are:
- Adenosine Receptors: Other than eliciting effect in central nervous system, CBD is found to influence the cardiovascular system as well by reacting with Adenosine A2 receptors. It helps in regulating blood flow and oxygen consumption by cardiac muscles and forebrain. Blood flow and oxygen supply are the key point for sleep-wake cycle.
- Glycine Receptors: It is related to neuropathic pain and inflammation. Another target receptor of CBD glycine receptor which mediates synaptic transmission.
- Serotonin receptors: Important for managing stress and mood swings. CBD act via serotonin 1A receptors and mediates the inhibitory neurotransmission. It can be used to cure depression, anxiety, nausea and even Schizophrenia.
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: CBD modulates this receptor and helps in reducing nicotine addiction.
- Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors (PPAR)y:This receptor is also known as glitazone receptor and linked with lipid storage and glucose metabolism. Some anticancer effects of CBD also intercede through interaction with (PPAR)γ.
Leading research shows very promising results, but some of them are done on mammals other than humans. So before making a conclusive perception more research on humans are needed.
But CBD is already proved to be useful for many ailments, and patients are taking it for below treatments:
- Diabetes
- Motor Disorder
- Nicotine Addiction
- Osteoporosis
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Even if CBD is not psychoactive one should take precaution not to mix it with other cannabinoids. You can take CBD by any of your preferred methods, including smoking, vaping, or making CBD-rich edibles.
Bottomline: CBD has an endless therapeutic application yet to be discovered along with its current potential. Researchers need to work hard in this direction to make it available in the form of biochemical and psychiatric medicine.
Source:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol
[3] http://herb.co/2016/07/26/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cbd/
[4] http://hightimes.com/culture/10-little-known-uses-for-cbd/
[5] http://headsup.scholastic.com/students/endocannabinoid
[6] Ameri, Angela. "The effects of cannabinoids on the brain." Progress in Neurobiology 58.4 (1999): 315-348.
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18404144
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604182/