HOW IT WORKS
More than 100 different cannabinoids (cannabis-specific chemicals) have been identified in cannabis, but two in particular are medically important: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC and CBD act through the endocannabinoid system, and have different effects on the body
THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
The endocannabinoid system is spread right throughout the body and influences many different areas – in particular the immune and nervous systems. The chemicals THC and CBD interact with this system by binding to the endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which are expressed by different tissues in the body.
Medicinal cannabis products have different actions depending on the ratio of THC to CBD that they contain. CBD acts to balance out some of the negative effects of THC, so combining THC with CBD can allow patients to receive higher doses of THC with a reduced risk of unwanted side-effects.
The endocannabinoid system has been shown to have important roles in regulating many different bodily functions, including sleep, appetite, pain sensation and inflammation.
