Psychoactive and Physiological Homogeneity of Cannabis: A Literature Review: Actions of the Medical Plant that Takes Care of Itself

Abstract

Naturally occurring plants like Cannabis and the biologically ubiquitous alkaloids (e.g., morphine, quinine, and atropine) are composed of mostly physiological and psychoactive compounds. Extracts of the Cannabis plant are not alkaloid substances nor are they not related chemically to alkaloids, having no component nitrogen in their structures. Three species of Cannabis (marijuana) are recognized in scientific classifications: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indicus and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis sativa is the species that contains the largest amounts of two highly active compounds. Delta9-THC is the primary component of Cannabis sativa, used for its widely desired effects in drug abusers that are centered mostly in the mind (i.e., with intoxication and euphoria). Cannabidiol (CBD) is not intoxicating but has a seeming plethora of therapeutic actions. Cannabis indicus, with a different biological appearance than Cannabis sativa, has generally milder physical effects that tend to be expressed somatically (i.e., rather than mentally). Cannabis ruderalis, as a plant species often indistinguishable from Cannabis sativa, nonetheless, generally exhibits much less pharmacological activity.

Keywords: Cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), delta9-THC, homogeneity

Cite this Article

P. Flaer. Psychoactive and Physiological Homogeneity of Cannabis: A Literature Review: Actions of the Medical Plant that Takes Care of Itself. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Immunology. 2017; 7(2): 1–4p.