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Marijuana/Dagga
Marijuana is the broad term used to refer to the main plant varietal, Cannabis sativa, that has psychoactive effects (gets you high)
It is more commonly referred to as ‘weed’ and ‘pot’ and in South Africa the popular word used to refer to Marijuana is Dagga, an Afrikaans term derived from the Khoikhoi word dacha.
On the positive side, it is made up of 150 cannabinoid components, of which only two are widely known and researched; cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the latter being the psychoactive chemical responsible for the High(The High Chemical) Hemp
Hemp is a term also used to refer to Cannabis Sativa but the difference between Hemp and Marijuana is that the latter contains more than 5% THC (the reason for its tainted reputation), whereas the former contains less than 5% THC and has a much higher CBD %.
Hemp is a plant that has been harvested for thousands of years to produce everything from clothing, to paper, to rope as well as food products like Hemp protein powder and oil.
Because it has such a low percentage of THC, it is much more commercially available and legal.
In recent years it has been elevated to the status of luxury in the commercial sphere because of its eco-durability and adaptability to various uses particularly in the fashion, homeware, construction industries and more recently, the very sought-after CBD compound.
CBD/ Cannabidiol
This is one of the most well researched of the 150 naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds.
It is found in a high percentage in the Hemp varietal.
It is the reason for all the hype and fuss regarding the therapeutic use of the plant. Unlike the other most well-known compound; THC, CBD has no psychoactive properties yet contains just as potent healing properties.
CBD has become the ‘darling’ of the alternative medicine industry and a large amount of verified scientific research is being conducted into its use to treat modern lifestyle ailments, conditions, syndromes and diseases, with great success.
Currently research has indicated promise in aiding in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and PTSD, amongst others, as well as other diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, autism, epilepsy, Parkinsons and Alzheimers to name a few.
CBD is the main active ingredient in all Eilxinol products.
THC/ Tetrahydrocannabinol
As the second most research compound of Cannabis Sativa, THC is the one that has dampened the plant’s reputation over the years.
The psychoactive effects of THC have become very well-known and for the most part over long term use, individuals who already present with psychological vulnerabilities can present with undesirable symptoms such as increased psychotic episodes, paranoia, cognitive difficulties and memory loss.
Commercial CBD products such as Elixinol’s are readily available because they contain minimal trace amounts of THC that don’t impact users psychoactively and fall well within the legal limits.
Endocannabinoid System
In recent years, and thanks to the research conducted on the effects of Cannabis, scientists discovered the reason it works so well in aiding the treatment of various modern diseases and health conditions.
Enter: the Endocannabinoid System, a biochemical communication system innate to the human body that plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood, and everyday experience, which is fed by the CBD compound.
As this article states, ‘The discovery of receptors in the brain that respond pharmacologically to cannabis—and the subsequent identification of endogenous cannabinoid compounds in our own bodies that bind to these receptors—has significantly advanced our understanding of human biology, health, and disease.’
Preclinical trails sponsored by the US government have shown that the properties in Cannabis activate the receptors in the endocannabinoid system to help in combating tumours, psychiatric disorders, pain, convulsions and encourages antioxidant release as well as serotonin receptors to get to work
Think of it as a secret community who, once galvanized, all work together towards a common goal: internal communication for optimal health.
Full Spectrum and the Entourage Effect
To really get a grip on the hype around Cannabis we have to look at the way CBD products are formulated and extracted.
Full Spectrum CBD refers to the elixir that is extracted from the whole plant which contains all 150 cannabinoids, which is what you are after, thereby getting the full benefit of the plants properties including terpenes (the same compounds that give essential oils their potency) as well as other biochemical compounds.
CBD on its own, like in Isolate form, has been shown to be up to 30 times less effective, than if it is consumed with all 150 cannbinoids, terpenes and other biochemical compounds.
The adage then of power in numbers is what is called the Entourage Effect in CBD-speak, so whilst CBD is the star player, its performance is enhanced by the rest of the team of compounds. Furthermore, the way the plant has been grown, the climate, soil quality etc affects these properties greatly, which is why all Elixinol products are comprised with CBD from organically grown plants who live in ideal conditions.
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