Strains

Cannabis has been used medically for thousands of years. In 2700 BCE, Shen Neng, Chinese Emperor and father of Chinese medicine, used cannabis as a remedy. The Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text, also mentions cannabis. It was written in 1500 BCE and is one of the oldest pharmaceutical works known.

Cannabis is widely used by people in order to improve their quality of life. Medical use is linked to managing physical and mental problems and to preserving health. It affects people in different ways. It depends on the person, the situation, the type and quality of cannabis, and the method of use. 

More specifically, Cannabis action is closely associated to human’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Endocannabinoids are molecules that occur naturally within the body. They are present in the brain and other tissues and participate in the regulation of various cerebral functions, including pain, perception, mood, appetite, and memory. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates every major function of our bodies and keeps us in balanced homeostasis. This system stretches from head-to-toe forming a network of receptors, which are found everywhere in our bodies. The trigger to unlock these receptors is cannabis. Cannabis is made up of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids, including THC and CBD. When cannabinoids enter the body, they bind to ECS receptors and create a host of benefits. This is how cannabis is able to help regulate the body and mind, which may aid in relieving pain or anxiety, increasing appetite or diminishing nausea, reducing seizures and generally stimulating our immune response.

The endocannabinoid system was first discovered in Israel in 1992 by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, as the mechanism through which THC, CBD, and all cannabinoids are absorbed into the body. Dr. Mechoulam’s findings launched decades of scientific research and clinical studies into the therapeutic uses of the cannabis plant and were the impetus for the founding of Tikun Olam in 2002.

The two broadest categories of medical cannabis strains are Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa.

Different strain types produce different effects, making each strain uniquely effective for treating certain types of pain and medical conditions.

Sativa strains typically contain a higher amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than cannabinoids which causes more euphoria and cerebral effects than Indica strains.

Indica strains typically contain a higher amount of cannabinoids than Sativa strains which is why it is known for more of a relaxation effect.

Crossbreeding between indica and sativa strains produces hybrid plants.

These cannabis products take on a mixture of the properties of their parent plants, so they fall somewhere in between the spectrum of Sativa and Indica. The unique properties of hybrid strains allow patients to experience even more personalized and effective treatment