The Magic of Cannabinoids

Difference between CBD and THC in extraction process

Author

Picture of Dr. George Stantchev
Dr. George Stantchev

PHD, MBA, MSEE, Entrepreneur and CEO of most innovative extraction technology company.

What does Cannabis give us?

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabigerol (CBG) and their effects and its potential as a therapeutic agent in the fight against depression, anxiety, burn-out syndrome, excessive stress, insomnia, and even cancer.

CBD is one of the main cannabinoids in the industrial hemp (plant Cannabis Sativa) and THC is the one of the main cannabinoids in the marijuana cannabis (Cannabis Indica). Then CBG is the precursor of both. However, very few of us know exactly what causes its action, we do not know what it does and how it works.

Before we start talking about the CBD, THC and CBG molecules, however, we need to understand what the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is, the one that is responsible for the observed effects of cannabis as well as a basic mechanism that is embedded in the way our bodies function and especially those 3 main cannabinoids.

What is an Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

At school we have learned that there are 10 basic body functional systems in the human body. Those are the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the excretory system, the reproductive system, the nervous system, the muscular system, the endocrine system, the lymphatic system and the gastrointestinal system.

Did you know that in addition to the above-mentioned systems, there is also an endocannabinoid system (ECS)? Of course not, because if you are not a doctor or do not work with medical cannabis, it is unlikely that you will read about it. And still some scientists call the ECS system “the most important physiological system that participates in the establishment and maintenance of human health.”

cbd oil and marijuana leafImagine that cell receptors in the body are a series of houses, each of them has a set of keys. These receptor keys are chemical molecules called “agonists.” Each time an agonist attaches to a cell receptor, it sends a signal and gives a specific order to the cell. 

The endocannabinoid system consists of two primary cellular receptors (houses) – CB1 and CB2. The agonists or keys to these receptors are actually cannabinoids that are produced in the body, but also cannabinoids that enter the body from the external environment, such as those from the ingested or inhaled cannabis oil.

How does the ECS work?

We do not have a full cap on what the ECS does, but we know that the ECS helps to fine-tune most of the vital physics. It promotes homeostasis and affects the processes that regulate sleep, appetite, pain, inflammation, memory, nausea and even depression. The ECS helps to regulate homeostasis in all major systems of the body, which guarantees that all systems work together.

It is often mistakenly thought that endocannabinoid receptors are found exclusively in the brain. This is not entirely true, as they can be found in some glands as well as in immune cells. The functions of the receptors are mainly to maintain the balance in the body and to monitor the proper course of homeostasis.

The receptors that act as locks in the endocannabinoid system are CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are found in abundance mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) – the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, cerebellum and less in the periphery.

CB2-receptors predominate in the tissues of the immune system – spleen, tonsils, thymus, immune cells.

Every lock needs a key. The keys that unlock the receptors are called ligands. These are small biologically active molecules that interact with receptors in different ways and “unlock” them. They can also be produced by the human body, and in ECS such ligands are anandamide (its name comes from the Sanskrit word “ananda”, which means bliss) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol.

When ligands are imported into the body from the outside, they have an exogenous origin. In our case, these are the molecules of CBG, CBD and THC we ingest. Those 3 cannabinoids in combination 1:1:1 provide one of the strongest anti cancer behaviour as described below. By their action, exogenous ligands can be agonists (resembling the effect of an endogenous ligand) or antagonists (bind to the receptor and block the action of endogenous ligands).

Although studies of the endocannabinoid system are still very fragile, they are very promising in terms of the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of a number of diseases. Scientists have found that ECS plays an immediate role in homeostasis by regulating the proper course of all metabolic processes in the body.

The endocannabinoid system plays a role in processes such as: mood regulation appetite memory, inflammation, pain sensation, muscle tone and movement, erasing traumatic memories, protecting nerves and brain tissue, bone growth, regulation of tumors, pleasure in breastfeeding, stress management, intraocular pressure, gastrointestinal peristalsis, seizures and many others.

What is the magic combination?

Out of the 70 known cannabinoids that occur in the cannabis plant few are major and occur with high intensity as example the CBN, THC, CBD and CBG. Each of them have specific functions in stimulating certain vital cells. For example CBD stimulates collagen, CBG stimulates the stem cells, CBN stimulates the peripheral nervous system, THC stimulates the central nervous system, etc. 

Collectively the effect of all cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids define the so-called entourage effect of the plant. The entourage effect is so important because the terpenes by itself modulate the effect of the cannabinoids and amplify it by itself in time. So a proper combination of cannabinoid with a terpene can amplify, prolong or speed up the medical effects of the plant. 

During the flowering of the cannabis the cannabinoids change their intensity starting from their precursor CBG and blooming in THC and CBD depends on the Indica or Sativa genetics and end up in CBN. During the bloom the complementary part of the iol called terpenes also raises up in a flavorful combination bringing the uniqueness to every plant. The blend of terpenes and cannabinoids maintain exceptional properties to promote homeostasis and balance our body.

The medicine is in a hunt for the perfect drug that is the ultimate cure of any disease. Are cannabinoids the vital ingredients for formulating that drug? The combination of the top 3 cannabinoids CBG, THC and CBD is the more powerful combination for treatment of all major cancer conditions. If they are applied in a 1:1:1 formula the effects are fast and permanent. 

What is true power?

Studies show that CBD, combined with other cannabinoids such as THC and CBG, offers more acute therapeutic benefits. A phenomenon best referred to as the entourage effect. CBD binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors as well to give the desired effects. However, its action mechanisms on the body are not yet fully understood.

Cannabidiol can also help mitigate the less desirable THC qualities. That is, stopping the paranoia, impaired cognitive function, and anxiety THC cause. Cannabidiol acts on the ECS, a network of neurotransmitters responsible for homeostasis. CBD binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors as well to give the desired effects. However, its action mechanisms on the body are not yet fully understood.

When you take CBG and CBD together, they ideally balance each other out. Cannabigerol works directly on your receptors. Meanwhile, cannabidiol stimulates the enzyme that produces endocannabinoids (cannabinoids by your body). According to users, CBG alone can induce drowsiness, while CBD alone has an energizing effect. As such, when used in a blend, the experience is more balanced.

Who we are?

At PURE5™ Extraction, we design and manufacture cost- and process-optimized extraction systems and applicable post-processing stages targeting specific end products. PURE5™ is committed to offering the fastest, safest, and most economical extraction process for Cannabis sativa oils named Pure Botanical Extraction (PBX) standard.

Our technology originated from building machines for fragrance and flavor production in Europe utilizing various solvents as hexane, steam, ethanol and R134a. This technology alone and with the combination of ethanol has been used for extracting various herbs. The consistency and the economics have been proven over a couple of decades. Based on that vast experience, PURE5™ developed equipment differentiated by processing capacity. 

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For inquiries contact:

Dr. George Stantchev, CEO

(602) 992-0744

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