What are cannabinoids? Despite the U.S. government’s nearly century-long prohibition of the cannabis plant, scientists in America and around the world have continued to closely study the plant and its effects on living organisms, including in clinical trials. In recent years, scientists’ interest in the cannabis plant and its active constituents, known as cannabinoids, has increased exponentially. Scientific study of the cannabis plant has identified over 60 unique, biologically active cannabinoids [2] – such as THC, THCV, CBD, THCA, CBC, and CBG, – many of which possess documented therapeutic properties. A recent meta-analysis of these compounds identifies well over a dozen potential therapeutic properties attributable to cannabinoids, including neuro-protective, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic properties. [3] To date, there are over 22,000 published studies or reviews in the scientific literature pertaining to the cannabis plant and the cannabinoids. Nearly one-half of these were published within the last five years. This total includes over 2,700 separate papers published in 2009, 1,950 papers published in 2010, another 2,450 published in 2011, and over 2,900 papers published in 2012, according to a key word search on PubMed, the U.S. government repository for peer-reviewed scientific research.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 23:09:25 +0000