Cannabinoid-like compounds that mimic cannabigerol (CBG) are present in a unique genus of sunflower called Helichrysum. This sunflower also contains amorfrutins, which reduce blood sugar and have anti-inflammatory effects much like CBD.
Echinacea: Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is full of cannabimimetics. Echinacea interacts with the brain receptor that regulates the immune function of inflammation, among other things. This plant is used in the treatment of conditions from arthritis to colds and migraines.
Electric daisy: The electric daisy is also known as the “toothache plant.” It contains a cannabimimetic (N-isobutylamides) that can block pain receptors at nerve endings and thus is powerful for treating toothaches.
Chinese rhododendron: Folic acids in this flower act like cannabinoids by helping with inflammatory and pain response. Cannabinoid-like derivatives help reduce muscle contractions.
Exploring other similar compounds
Beyond flowers, a host of other plant-based goodies have cannabimimetic compounds:
Cacao: Cacao is known as a joyful compound; no wonder people eat chocolate to boost a bad mood. Its active compound is anandamide, a cannabinoid native to the human body. Anandamide has a cool linguistic origin. The word actually comes from the Sanskrit word ananda, which literally translates to “bliss.”
Black truffles: Black truffles also contain anandamide. This “joy” molecule is supposedly what causes truffle pigs to hunt for the mushrooms so furiously.
Black peppercorn: Black pepper prevents endocannabinoid uptake and acts like a cannabinoid in the body. It has been known to have anti-inflammatory properties, much like other cannabinoid compounds. Also containing the terpene beta-caryophyllene, black pepper compounds cannabis-like effects. (The earlier section “Exploring terpenes and flavonoids” has details on terpenes; you can find out which types of hemp strains contain beta-caryophyllene in “Investigating the Hemp Strains and Varieties.”)
Kava: Kava has incredible calming effects and may even relieve anxiety and chronic pain. It contains compounds called kavalactones; one of them interacts directly with the brain receptors that help regulate pain.
Choosing between Synthetic and Natural CBD
The debate over getting CBD naturally or synthesizing it is in full swing, and both options have their merits. Synthesizing, in this case, means creating a man-made version of CBD. (The scientific term for it is biomimicry.) Companies are already hard at work creating their own versions of CBD synthetically. The ultimate goal is mass production for the consumer market.
The main argument for the synthetic process is the cost benefits that come from efficient production. Early studies show that CBD can in fact be created in a lab. Additionally, synthetic CBD looks like a viable option as over-the-counter and pharmaceutical markets around cannabis develop.
Another issue is the THC problem. Early tests have shown that naturally derived CBD can be converted to THC with simple lab procedures. THC is a psychedelic and, as of this writing, illegal substance that requires control at the federal level. The concern is that science-savvy criminals could easily convert the natural CBD in drugs to the illegal THC for profit. The black market and drug abuse (largely of opiates) are already huge problems, so the concern is legitimate. Synthetic CBD, on the other hand, cannot be converted to THC in a lab and therefore prevents the potential for entry into the illicit market.
Proponents of natural CBD point to the environmental implications. The considerate farming and growth of the hemp industry for CBD production creates jobs as well as natural healing medicine. Besides, the byproducts and positive implications of hemp growing are vast: carbon offsets, soil remediation, fiber production, and more.
One of the largest current arguments for natural CBD is the entourage effect I discuss in “Debating the benefits of using the whole plant versus the sum of its parts” earlier in the chapter. If using all parts of the plant brings the most benefits, how can lab-created CBD compare?
The counterargument from the scientific community is that the variables of nature prevent the kind of scaling up needed for mass production. Science wants to repeat results for control of effectiveness. But strain and varietal variation mean that no two plants are going to present the same chemical features, at least not long-term. That makes replicating medicinal compounds and results on use and application impossible.
Chapter 3
Looking into What CBD Does
IN THIS CHAPTER
You know the old saying: When life gives you CBD, make pillows and lozenges and… . At least, that seems to be the philosophy of the CBD market, which has been absolutely inundated with product. But what CBD is and how it works can be confusing for the novice consumer.
I use this chapter as a way to unpack the available science around CBD. I discuss not just the scientific nature of the molecule but also the theoretical applications. The information here can be quite helpful in developing a plan to use CBD in a way that works best for your mind and body.
Discovering What Makes CBD Work
The diversity of interactions CBD is capable of can address imbalances in your body, thus creating homeostasis, or balance in the body’s system. The next sections explain how CBD works in your body and compares that chemical to THC.
Comparing and contrasting CBD and THC
As I discuss in Chapter 2, cannabinoids are a class of plant chemicals found in the cannabis plant that parallel your body’s own endocannabinoids — your internal human cannabinoids. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoids in any cannabis plant.
What makes each of the varieties of cannabis similar, and historically prohibited, is that each contains a chemical compound known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis; it’s the compound that gives you a “high” (scientifically referred to as the “psychedelic experience”).
