What is the science behind Medicinal Cannabis

The 1st of November 2018 is an important date in the Medical Cannabis UK calendar. It was on that date that the prescribed use of Medical Cannabis here in the UK became legal for those in “exceptional need.” We here at our Medicinal Cannabis Clinic in London help to address that exceptional need.

Investigating the science in support of Medical Cannabis

Now being prescribed by many family doctors for patients for whom conventional medical treatments have failed to remedy the conditions and illnesses from which they suffer, it is obvious there must be some medical science that has promoted this acceptance. To find out more, please read on.

The discovery of the human body’s endocannabinoid system

The medical view of cannabis went under a radical rethink in the early 1990s when medical researchers discovered that the human body has its own natural endocannabinoid system. It enables the brain to recognise and respond to 60 chemicals in cannabis, two of the most talked of which, are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol), the latter being a key ingredient in the Medical Cannabis we prescribe at our Medicinal Cannabis Clinic, London facility.

Above and beyond THC and CBD

The science behind Medical Cannabis isn’t however entirely dependent on THC and CBD. In fact, Marijuana contains over 500 compounds, 100 of which are categorised as Phyto cannabinoids that are able to bind to the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) housed naturally inside our central and peripheral nervous systems.

Ongoing Research

Much is still unknown about the components of cannabis. For example, only recently, a previously unknown Phyto-cannabinoid, now known as THCP (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol) that bonds to the CB1 receptor 33 times more strongly than THC, was identified. It is now being conjectured this could be the element that gives Cannabis its “high,” rather than THC.

Where we are now

CBD is the main active element in the products we prescribe here at our Medicinal Cannabis Clinic UK facility. It is known to be 100% safe and has the ability to trigger CB2 receptors to detect inflammation, and CB1 receptors to relieve pain.

If you would like to know more about the potential benefits of the Medical Cannabis we prescribe here at our Medicinal Cannabis Clinic UK establishment in London, please visit our website.