Hemp and cannabis are the same species, Cannabis Sativa L. However, the name "hemp" is often used to refer to plants or products that contain low levels of THC and do not make you high. In contrast, the name “cannabis” refers to plants or products that have a high THC content and can make you high.

Medical cannabis is simply a cannabis plant or product that is used for medical purposes. Psychoactive effects aside, the cannabis plant also has many notable medical values. Medical cannabis has been used to help with a multitude of different health conditions, such as depression, insomnia, pain, nausea, epilepsy, or even cancer.

Cannabinoids are a group of active substances found in the cannabis plant. They are responsible for the psychological and physiological responses of the human body when consuming cannabis.

Currently, there are more than 100 different cannabinoids discovered by scientists. Each cannabinoid has its own characteristics and effects. The two most important cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). In addition, there are a number of other secondary cannabinoids that are also worth mentioning, such as CBG, CBN, CBC, THCV...

THC is Tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the main active compound found in the cannabis plant, known for its ability to cause psychoactive effects, also known as “feeling high". THC also has many other medical effects such as analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, anti-nausea, anti-cancer, etc.

Cannabidiol (CBD) was one of the first phyto-cannabinoids discovered. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. In contrast, CBD has the potential to help users combat the high effects of THC. Medically, CBD also has a variety of effects that are not inferior to those of THC. The most typical are antipsychotic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic and anti-cancer...

CBD alone can’t make you high.

CBD is not on the list of banned substances. As long as the THC content of your CBD product is within the limits of your local law, your CBD is legal.

CBD products can be considered a form of medical cannabis. However, not all medical cannabis products are CBD.

RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is the name for a highly concentrated cannabis oil extracted by the Rick Simpson method. This oil has a very high cannabinoid content, usually over 80%.

No.

No. CBD has no risk of addiction or dependence.

Possible side effects when using CBD are dizziness, low blood pressure, changes in eating habits, dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, diarrhea and psychological effects (if the product contains THC). However, most people who use CBD experience no side effects and if they do, they are relatively mild.

It should be noted, though, that the greatest risk when using cannabis or CBD comes from drug interactions. Cannabinoid therapy can cause elevation of liver enzymes and interactions with drugs metabolized by the liver via the cytochrome P450 enzymes. This interaction will increase or decrease the concentration of other drugs in the blood, causing the side effects of those drugs. This is especially important if you are taking chemotherapy or seizure medications, as these types of treatment require precise doses.

CBD does not and cannot replace conventional medicine, but it can help you improve your health. If you are looking to use CBD, you can ask for advice from the HEMP SAPA team.

Although CBD was discovered many years ago, due to the cannabis prohibition, studies on hemp and CBD were almost impossible. Hopefully, when medical marijuana/hemp is widely legalized around the world, more research on CBD will be conducted.

The effects of CBD are different from that of THC. It doesn't make you high and can be hard to feel. Typically, people using CBD will feel more relaxed and calm. If your body is experiencing inflammation or pain, you may also find these symptoms being alleviated quickly.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is an important system responsible for regulating most of our body's functions. These include: pain sensations, movements, emotions, digestion, metabolism, immune system, memory, reproduction, cell cycle, bone and joint development, and many other processes. ECS activity was summed up in 1998 by Professor Di Marzo as, “rest, eat, sleep, forget and defend”.

The endogenous cannabinoid system is maintained and operated by endogenous cannabinoids (anandamide and 2AG) along with the cannabinoid receptor system (CB1 and CB2). When using cannabis, the phyto-cannabinoids in the cannabis will also interact with the endogenous cannabinoid system in our body.

Our bodies produce our own substances called endogenous cannabinoids. These cannabinoids will act on cannabinoid receptors. There are two main types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. CB1 is found mainly in the nervous system. CB2 is found mainly in the immune system.

THC activates both CB1 and CB2 receptors. Activation of CB1 receptors in the brain causes you to feel high.

CBD also acts on the endocannabinoid system, but not directly on CB1 or CB2 like the way THC does. Instead, CBD may act indirectly by inhibiting the breakdown of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (making the effects of anandamide last longer, stronger, meaning more pain-relieving and stress-relieving effects). CBD can also neutralize the effects of THC, helping to reduce the cannabis high. In addition, CBD also acts on receptors of other systems, such as:

Serotonin 5HT1A receptor (antidepressant effect).

TRPV1 receptor (regulatory effect on pain sensation and inflammatory response).

PPAR-gamma nuclear receptor (effects: neuroprotection, memory and cognition regulation, analgesia, homeostatic regulation, insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism. This receptor also plays an important role in cancer).

Orphan receptor GPR55 (anti-osteoporosis and cancer effect).

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the precursor to THC. When first harvested, the cannabis plant contains very little THC, but mostly THCA instead. Through the process of decarboxylation via time, light, or under the influence of temperature, THCA will be converted to THC. THCA does not have the same psychological effects as THC.

Research shows that THCA may have antiemetic, antioxidant, antiepileptic, and anticancer effects.

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a precursor to CBD. When first harvested, the cannabis plant contains very little CBD, but mainly CBDA instead. Through the process of decarboxylation via time, light, or under the influence of temperature, the CBDA in the cannabis plant is converted to CBD.

CBDA does not cause high and has antiemetic and antidepressant effects.

Cannabigerol is a minor cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, but has also been attracting a lot of attention from scientists in recent times. Experimental and in vitro animal studies have suggested that CBG has the potential to increase appetite, and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, digestive improvement, and cancer prevention properties.

The acid form of CBG, CBGA, is the precursor to every other cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. When the cannabis plant wants to synthesize THCA or CBDA, or any other cannabinoid, it has to go through CBGA synthesis first. Therefore, in the early flowering stage, the cannabinoid in cannabis is mainly CBGA, then it will be gradually replaced by THCA or CBDA. Thus, producers can choose the right flowering time to extract CBGA.

The flowers of the cannabis/hemp plant have very little CBN content, as CBN is mainly produced not by biological processes in the plant, but by THC conversion when exposed to oxygen and light in the air after a certain time.

CBN is widely believed to have a very strong sleep-inducing effect. The reason is that many people store cannabis for a long time, and when they smoke it, they feel a strong drowsiness effect. In fact, aged cannabis products will have higher levels of CBN.

However, this is only a hypothesis. It is possible that this sleepy effect comes from another reason, possibly due to the loss of other terpenes. In fact, there are no scientific studies to confirm that CBN has a sedating effect, and it seems that CBN only produces this effect when combined with THC.

Currently, CBN is being studied for its effects such as pain relief, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties, and to increase appetite.

Cannabichromene is a minor cannabinoid in cannabis. Similar to other lesser-known cannabinoids, CBC has not been well studied. However, CBC has been shown to reduce fat formation and inflammation in human skin cells, suggesting that this cannabinoid may help you fight acne. Experiments on mice have also shown the ability to reduce intestinal motility, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and fight depression. CBC may also have effects against certain strains of bacteria and against cancer.

Terpenes are molecules that contribute to the characteristic aroma and smell of different plants. Each terpene has its own unique aroma, and may have certain medicinal effects. Terpenes are an integral part of medical cannabis.

Terpenes can provide a variety of health benefits. They can work with cannabinoids to create an “entourage effect,” which can influence how you feel and how your body will react to cannabis. In addition, terpenes can also increase the effectiveness of cannabinoids.

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

Thus, working together, the cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis work synergistically, amplifying their own medical effects. This is called the entourage effect.

Because of this, whole plant full-spectrum extracts will be far more effective than isolates.

This terpene is the most abundant in cannabis (can make up 60% of the essential oil), and is also found in abundance in hops, sour fruits, laurel, musk, lemongrass, eucalyptus and many other plants. Its smell is described as being quite similar to that of cloves. In addition, many cannabis users report that they achieve a stronger "high" when smoking marijuana after eating mangoes. This effect may come from the synergistic effect of myrcene with cannabinoid.

Possible medicinal effects of myrcene are: sedating, soothing, analgesic, anticancer and antioxidant.

The fresh and citrusy smell of orange, lemon, and grapefruit peels is due to limonene. This terpene is also present in abundance in certain strains of cannabis, giving it a hint of orange and lemon. Limonene may help THC users feel more alert and at ease.

Possible medicinal effects are: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, pain-relieving, anti-cancer and anti-diabetes.

This is the terpene that contributes to the spicy and strong aroma of black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, basil, etc., and is also present in some cannabis strains. Beta-caryophyllene has the ability to help reduce the high effect of THC, similar to limonene. Interestingly, beta-caryophyllene has the ability to act on CB2 receptors, so many people also consider this terpene to be a cannabinoid.

This terpene is believed to help fight inflammation, aid sleep, cancer, and relieve pain.

Pinene is the source of the smell of pine trees. This terpene is especially abundant in turpentine. They are also found in many other plants, such as dandelion or rosemary.

In therapeutic medicine, this terpene is used for its expectorant, bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In addition, it also helps improve memory. Pinene has the potential to help cannabis users reduce the short-term memory loss side effects of THC.

This terpene contributes to the scent of lilac. Alpha-terpineol has been known for its relaxing, antioxidant, antibiotic, and antimalarial effects. In addition, it can also be anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea and can help you sleep.

The scent of lavender has long been used as a sleep aid. This terpene also has antidepressant, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anticonvulsant properties.

Linalool has also been licensed for use as a flavoring in natural insecticides. Steam containing linalool is a good remedy for repelling insects such as fruit flies, lice, and cockroaches.

Humulene, also known as α-humulene or α-caryophyllene, is a terpene that bestows the deep, slightly spicy aroma of hops. Hops are a close relative of cannabis, and coincidentally, many cannabis strains also contain a significant amount of Humulene.

Humulene is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and appetite-reducing effects.