Exploring the Endocannabinoid System Cannabinoids and their Therapeutic Potentials

Exploring the Endocannabinoid System Cannabinoids and their Therapeutic Potentials

Montana Biotech is a lab focusing on RE-discovering the science behind cannabis. Cannabinoids are the therapeutic compounds found in the cannabis genus. Both hemp and marijuana produce phyto-cannabinoids. The true difference between cannabis hemp and cannabis marijuana is the plants ability to produce, enzymaticaly, THCA. New discoveries have lead researchers to the hypothesis that it is the functionality of the enzyme, THCA synthase, not the absence of the gene coding for the enzyme that differentiates marijuana varieties from cannabis hemp varieties. Plant derived cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, are created by the cannabis plant through a single enzyme catalyzed reaction. Each cannabinoid has a corresponding enzyme catalyzing their creation. CBN is the only known cannabinoid NOT derived from an enzymatic process; instead CBN is a degradation product, UV light exposure, heating, of THC.

Endocannabinoid System Network

Endocannabinoid System Explained, Dr. Melamede Ph.D professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Wikipedia: Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system refers to a group of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors that are involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory; it mediates the psychoactive effects of cannabis and, broadly speaking, includes:

The cannabinoid receptors CB₁ and CB₂, two G protein-coupled receptors that are located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, respectively.
The endogenous arachidonate-based lipids, anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG); these are known as “endocannabinoids” and are physiological ligands for the cannabinoid receptors.
The enzymes that synthesize and degrade the endocannabinoids. Unlike traditional neurotransmitters, endogenous cannabinoids are not stored in vesicles after synthesis, but are synthesized on demand (Rodriguez de Fonseca et al., 2004).^{[citation needed]} However, some evidence suggests that a pool of synthesized endocannabinoids (namely, 2-AG) may exist without the requirement of on-demand synthesis.^[1]

The endocannabinoid system has been studied using genetic and pharmacological methods. These studies have revealed a broad role for endocannabinoid signaling in a variety of physiological processes, including neuromodulator release,^[2]^[3]^[4] motor learning,^[5] synaptic plasticity,^[6] appetite,^[7] and pain sensation.^[8]

Cannabis potency testing has come of age! Knowing the cannabinoid profile of a cannabis strain or variety will help providers of medical cannabis fit a patients’ condition to a medicine they will benefit from the best. Montana Biotech offers cannabinoid potency testing in Montana. There are two types of testing that can be employed by a laboratory or individual to analyze their cannabis, qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative testing of cannabinoids:

When thinking of the difference between qualitative vs quantitative testing methods think of quality verses quantity. Thin layer chromatography, T.L.C., is a qualitative method of testing cannabis that provides a “picture” or “finger print” of the quality of phytocannabinoids present in a medical marijuana sample. It is an absent or present testing method; is CBD in the sample or not? T.L.C. is not a method to determine the amount of CBD in a cannabis sample as accurately as a quantitative testing method like gas chromatography, GC.

Quantitative testing of cannabinoids:

When thinking of the difference between quantitative vs qualitative testing methods think of quantity verses quality. Quantitative methods determine how much THC, CBD, CBN or other novel cannabinoids are present in a medical cannabis sample or cannabis infused preparation. Some of the well known quantitative methods are gas chromatography (GC), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both methods are currently used by cannabis potency testing labs all over the U.S.

Montana Biotech specializes in cannabis potency lab testing. Botanical Genetic profiling is now offered to help with the identifying and categorizing of new varieties / cultivars / strains for the medical cannabis industry. Cannabis varieties / cultivars / strains will be added to our data base and made public as soon as samples are scrutinized and released by the grower. Montana Biotech is willing to help patients and caregivers achieve the best results from their medicine.