The Cannabis Sativa L plant has been cultivated for at least 4500 years. Humans have used the Cannabis for industrial purposes such as hemp rope, medicinal herb, and of course what it is most known for today, the “high” that comes from ingestion of its psychotropic cannabinoids. Understanding the properties of cannabis empowers people to use the plant in a way that will be personally beneficial, therefore this section is dedicated to explaining the chemical properties of the plant, and how these chemical properties effect its utility.
Cannabinoids are a group of similar compounds naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. Over 70 cannabinoids have been identified to date, but many are found in only trace amounts. Most research to date has focused on those found in highest concentration, THCA, CBDA, CBCA, THC, CBD, CBC and CBN. Cannabinoids act on Cannabinoid Receptors CB1 and CB2 which are found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. As can be seen in the figure on the right, the main cannabinoids all originate from a substance called Geranyl Pyrophosphate which occurs naturally in the trichomes (glands most dense in the female flowering bud) of the cannabis plant. Geranyl Pyrophosphate combines with Olivetolic Acid with the aid of an enzyme called GOT, and this forms Cannabigerolic Acid (CBGA) which is the precursor to all the major cannabinoids. Next, CBGA is cyclized into THCA, CBDA, or CBCA via the enzymes known as TCHA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase. The presence and relative quantities of the specific enzymes are what controls which cannabinoid is the major product from each particular strain. The acid forms of these cannabinoids are not psychotropic, but they do have medicinal benefits. The psychotropic effect occurs though decarboxylation (release of CO2) of THCA into THC partially as a result of the cannabis being dried during the curing process, and more significantly due to heat as it is either smoked or cooked into edibles. The decarboxylated forms of CBDA and CBGA are not psychotropic but do have medicinal benefits.
The cannabinoid CBN is a byproduct of THC that results from prolonged exposure to air. Therefore cannabis not kept in an airtight container during storage would tend to have a high concentration of CBN due to degradation of THC. Until recently CBN was thought of as an unwanted effect of poor handling, however recent research suggests that CBN has use as a sleep aid, and can ease unwanted effects of THC such as anxiety.
The Cannabis Sativa L plant has been cultivated for at least 4500 years. Humans have used the Cannabis for industrial purposes such as hemp rope, medicinal herb, and of course what it is most known for today, the “high” that comes from ingestion of its psychotropic cannabinoids. Understanding the properties of cannabis empowers people to use the plant in a way that will be personally beneficial, therefore this section is dedicated to explaining the chemical properties of the plant, and how these chemical properties effect its utility.
Cannabinoids are a group of similar compounds naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. Over 70 cannabinoids have been identified to date, but many are found in only trace amounts. Most research to date has focused on those found in highest concentration, THCA, CBDA, CBCA, THC, CBD, CBC and CBN. Cannabinoids act on Cannabinoid Receptors CB1 and CB2 which are found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. As can be seen in the figure on the right, the main cannabinoids all originate from a substance called Geranyl Pyrophosphate which occurs naturally in the trichomes (glands most dense in the female flowering bud) of the cannabis plant. Geranyl Pyrophosphate combines with Olivetolic Acid with the aid of an enzyme called GOT, and this forms Cannabigerolic Acid (CBGA) which is the precursor to all the major cannabinoids. Next, CBGA is cyclized into THCA, CBDA, or CBCA via the enzymes known as TCHA synthase, CBDA synthase, and CBCA synthase. The presence and relative quantities of the specific enzymes are what controls which cannabinoid is the major product from each particular strain. The acid forms of these cannabinoids are not psychotropic, but they do have medicinal benefits. The psychotropic effect occurs though decarboxylation (release of CO2) of THCA into THC partially as a result of the cannabis being dried during the curing process, and more significantly due to heat as it is either smoked or cooked into edibles. The decarboxylated forms of CBDA and CBGA are not psychotropic but do have medicinal benefits.
The cannabinoid CBN is a byproduct of THC that results from prolonged exposure to air. Therefore cannabis not kept in an airtight container during storage would tend to have a high concentration of CBN due to degradation of THC. Until recently CBN was thought of as an unwanted effect of poor handling,
Until recently most of the research on cannabis was focused on the effect of cannabinoids. Interest has now risen on the effect terpenes have on human health. Terpenes are a family of chemical compounds that are found in many species of plants. Herbalists and Apothecaries have used them for compounding remedies and medicine. Terpenes are volatile at room temperature and give off the odor associated with various strains of cannabis. A strain that has a strong citrus smell will have a high concentration of the terpene limonene, and one with a strong pine smell will have a high concentration of A-Pinene.
Isoprene is a five carbon long molecule that is the basis of all terpenes. Each five carbon isoprene is one link of a chain. Terpenes are constructed of these chain links, such that most terpenes are 5, 10, 15, up to 40 carbons long. Limonene and Linalool are both 10 carbons long, or contain 2 isoprene chain links, whereas Phytol, being a larger more oily molecule, contains 20 carbons or 4 isoprene links.
Research into the medical benefits of terpenes is an ongoing endeavor, and is discussed in our Cannabis Health Benefits section. Proper testing of cannabis allows a user to know the type and concentrations of terpenes found in the strain being purchased, and therefore empowers the user make intelligent purchasing decisions.
