MEDIZINISCHE CANNABIS

For thousands of years, cannabis has been used as a medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Already in ancient Greece, the miracle plant was used as a remedy to alleviate clinical symptoms. Cannabis was first discovered in 1400 BC in China , where the active ingredient was used to treat patients in remote areas.

The cannabis plant grows in 3 flowering varieties. Indica, Sativa and Hybrid. In medicine, people mainly use Sativa and Indica for the specific treatment of the medical problems. To date, over 600 compounds such as amino acids, terpenes and proteins have been detected in the cannabis plant. It contains over 100 different phytocannabinoids, of which the most therapeutically relevant are the active ingredients cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

It is only through decarboxylation, which is achieved by heating the plants, that the active molecules THC and CBD are released. Once the active ingredient THC enters the patient’s body, it docks with the patient’s receptors and affects certain processes in the central nervous system and immune system.

Cannabis affects the endocannabinoid system in the body. Parts of this nervous system are CB1 and CB2 receptors. Physiological processes such as , appetite, pain perception, inflammation, sleep and mood are regulated in part by the endocannabinoid system. Clinical studies with single cannabinoids or whole plant preparations (smoked cannabis, cannabis extract) have often been inspired by positive anecdotal experiences of patients employing crude can-nabis products.

Depending on the country, THC products may be prescribed under strict conditions in the form of a doctor’s prescription. See Narcotics Law. Only when alternative medications do not help a patient are doctors allowed to prescribe THC medications. Medical THC products are very price-intensive, which can repeatedly lead to conflicts with health insurance companies.