Law and order in India

<h2 id="contextualising-cannabis-regulations">Contextualising Cannabis Regulations</h2>“Is this even legal? What are the rules and regulations governing cannabis?” These are often the first questions that arise whenever someone comes across cannabis medicine in India. In this brief explainer, we break-down what the current laws governing cannabis are, and their likely evolution in years to come.In India, cannabis is a restricted substance, governed by the draconian Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. It is pertinent to note that prior to the enactment of the NDPS Act in 1985, cannabis was legal in India. But as a founding member of the United Nations, and as signatory to the United Nation’s Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs which it signed in 1961, India was obliged to ratify into its local laws its international obligations under this UN Convention, which outlawed cannabis. It is thus that the NDPS Act was born.However, due credit must be given to the mandarins in New Delhi who, when drafting the NDPS Act, recognised that cannabis was widely cultivated across the country, and had been for millennia. Furthermore, India’s classical medicine systems, primarily Ayurveda and Unani, classified cannabis as a therapeutic herb, and cannabis was widely used as an ingredient in many classical medical formulations. Furthermore, large parts of the Indian population, especially persons residing in rural areas, often relied on these traditional medicine systems for primary care. Keeping all this in mind, while ensuring India did not fall foul of its international commitments, the government of the day enacted the NDPS Act, but carved out exceptions, which remain in force today, and which make India a uniquely interesting and uniquely positioned country with respective to cannabis medicine regulations.<h2 id="legality-under-ndps">Legality Under NDPS</h2>The first thing to note is that cannabis cultivation is banned in India. However, the NDPS Act allows State governments to enact Rules for the cultivation of cannabis for scientific, medical and industrial purposes. In other words, cultivation for recreational use is expressly forbidden, but enabling provisions in the Act exist to allow for cultivation for scientific/industrial uses. It is under these provisions that various State governments, such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and others have enacted, or are contemplating enacting cannabis cultivation regulations.The other interesting facet to note is that while the NDPS Act disallowed cannabis cultivation, it defined only the flower/bud of the cannabis plant as ganja. Thus, only the fruiting top of the cannabis plant and resin extracted from this fruiting top (charas) are expressly prohibited. All other parts of the plant, that is the seed, leaf, stem, stalk and roots are allowed to be used for various purposes, including medical/horticultural/industrial uses. Now it is anyone’s guess how one part of a plant can be legal and another part illegal, but it is this unique legal definition that actually sets India apart from many other countries that have explored deregulating or legalising cannabis for industrial/medical/recreational use.<h2 id="cannabis-medicine">Cannabis Medicine</h2>Cannabis is listed as a therapeutic herb in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). The API is a book of standards listing all therapeutic herbs, minerals, metals (single drugs) that can be manufactured, sold and marketed across India. Thus, classical formulations, listed in reference texts of Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine, and even novel, proprietary formulations, made using single drugs listed in the API, can be manufactured and sold as medicine across the country.&nbsp;Given that Ayurveda is the science of “whole-plant” medicine, cannabis formulations approved under India’s Ayurveda regulations must necessarily be made using “whole-plant” extracts. Another common reference to “whole-plant” extract is “full-spectrum” extract, which refers to an extract of the cannabis plant (‘cannabis leaf’ in India) that retains all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids found in the cannabis plant, that is over 500 unique compounds. It is pertinent to note that even in countries around the world conducting “modern” pharmacological research, “full-spectrum” extracts are proving more efficacious than any single cannabis compound in isolation.Which brings us to the fact that isolated cannabis compounds, in other words, single compounds such as THC or CBD, or even their combination in any ratio, are illegal in India. This is because modern drug rules require that any compound which is used in a medical preparation must first undergo a series of tests to establish the safety and efficacy of that compound – which is a long and expensive exercise wherein India’s allopathic drug regulator needs to sanction each stage of this clinical testing process. Only once a compound has successfully undergone these tests/trials does it get listed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) – which is like the API, but lists all single molecules/compounds used in modern allopathic formulations. No cannabinoid, whether THC or CBD or any other, is listed in the IP – thus anyone selling any product marketed just as CBD or THC or any ratio thereof is technically operating in a regulatory grey-zone. Furthermore, isolated THC is specifically illegal in India, as the Central Bureau of Narcotics has listed THC as a narcotic substance; whereas CBD is neither legal nor illegal.For this reason, any patient accessing cannabis-based medicines in India should be cautious only to purchase medicines approved by India’s traditional medicine regulator, that is the AYUSH Department of the Govt. of India; and these medicines should be “whole-plant” extracts and not simple THC or CBD.<h2 id="oral-vs-topical-medicine">Oral vs. Topical Medicine</h2>One further distinction to be understood is the difference in regulations governing oral versus topical cannabis medicines. As cannabis-based medicines fall under “Schedule E(1)” of the Drugs &amp; Cosmetics Rules, any formulation containing substances listed under Schedule E(1), and meant for oral consumption, should be “taken under medical supervision”. Given the vagueness of this official guidance, it is better to interpret the same strictly and equate “should be taken under medical supervision” as “prescription medicine”. Technically, only drugs listed under “Schedule H” of the Drugs &amp; Cosmetics Rules require a doctor’s prescription – but given the potential for abuse of drugs containing cannabis, it is prudent to equate Schedule E(1) with Schedule H and allow access to oral cannabis medicines only post a prescription from a Registered Medical Practitioner.No such restriction is applicable to topical medicines. These can be sold over the counter, thus any formulations in form factors such as oils, creams, gels, balms, and patches can be bought and used by persons as per need. Such topical formulations typically target localised pain relief, inflammations and dermatological use cases.Explore from our wide range of plant based medicine <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">here</a>.&nbsp;

“Is this even legal? What are the rules and regulations governing cannabis?” These are often the first questions that arise whenever someone comes across cannabis medicine in India. In this brief explainer, we break-down what the current laws governing cannabis are, and their likely evolution in years to come.

In India, cannabis is a restricted substance, governed by the draconian Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. It is pertinent to note that prior to the enactment of the NDPS Act in 1985, cannabis was legal in India. But as a founding member of the United Nations, and as signatory to the United Nation’s Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs which it signed in 1961, India was obliged to ratify into its local laws its international obligations under this UN Convention, which outlawed cannabis. It is thus that the NDPS Act was born.

However, due credit must be given to the mandarins in New Delhi who, when drafting the NDPS Act, recognised that cannabis was widely cultivated across the country, and had been for millennia. Furthermore, India’s classical medicine systems, primarily Ayurveda and Unani, classified cannabis as a therapeutic herb, and cannabis was widely used as an ingredient in many classical medical formulations. Furthermore, large parts of the Indian population, especially persons residing in rural areas, often relied on these traditional medicine systems for primary care. Keeping all this in mind, while ensuring India did not fall foul of its international commitments, the government of the day enacted the NDPS Act, but carved out exceptions, which remain in force today, and which make India a uniquely interesting and uniquely positioned country with respective to cannabis medicine regulations.

The first thing to note is that cannabis cultivation is banned in India. However, the NDPS Act allows State governments to enact Rules for the cultivation of cannabis for scientific, medical and industrial purposes. In other words, cultivation for recreational use is expressly forbidden, but enabling provisions in the Act exist to allow for cultivation for scientific/industrial uses. It is under these provisions that various State governments, such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and others have enacted, or are contemplating enacting cannabis cultivation regulations.

The other interesting facet to note is that while the NDPS Act disallowed cannabis cultivation, it defined only the flower/bud of the cannabis plant as 

. Thus, only the fruiting top of the cannabis plant and resin extracted from this fruiting top (

) are expressly prohibited. All other parts of the plant, that is the seed, leaf, stem, stalk and roots are allowed to be used for various purposes, including medical/horticultural/industrial uses. Now it is anyone’s guess how one part of a plant can be legal and another part illegal, but it is this unique legal definition that actually sets India apart from many other countries that have explored deregulating or legalising cannabis for industrial/medical/recreational use.

Cannabis is listed as a therapeutic herb in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). The API is a book of standards listing all therapeutic herbs, minerals, metals (single drugs) that can be manufactured, sold and marketed across India. Thus, classical formulations, listed in reference texts of Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine, and even novel, proprietary formulations, made using single drugs listed in the API, can be manufactured and sold as medicine across the country. 

Given that Ayurveda is the science of “whole-plant” medicine, cannabis formulations approved under India’s Ayurveda regulations must necessarily be made using “whole-plant” extracts. Another common reference to “whole-plant” extract is “full-spectrum” extract, which refers to an extract of the cannabis plant (‘cannabis leaf’ in India) that retains 

 the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids found in the cannabis plant, that is over 500 unique compounds. It is pertinent to note that even in countries around the world conducting “modern” pharmacological research, “full-spectrum” extracts are proving more efficacious than any single cannabis compound in isolation.

Which brings us to the fact that isolated cannabis compounds, in other words, single compounds such as THC or CBD, or even their combination in any ratio, are illegal in India. This is because modern drug rules require that any compound which is used in a medical preparation must first undergo a series of tests to establish the safety and efficacy of that compound – which is a long and expensive exercise wherein India’s allopathic drug regulator needs to sanction each stage of this clinical testing process. Only once a compound has successfully undergone these tests/trials does it get listed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) – which is like the API, but lists all single molecules/compounds used in modern allopathic formulations. No cannabinoid, whether THC or CBD or any other, is listed in the IP – thus anyone selling any product marketed just as CBD or THC or any ratio thereof is technically operating in a regulatory grey-zone. Furthermore, isolated THC is specifically illegal in India, as the Central Bureau of Narcotics has listed THC as a narcotic substance; whereas CBD is neither legal nor illegal.

For this reason, any patient accessing cannabis-based medicines in India should be cautious only to purchase medicines approved by India’s traditional medicine regulator, that is the AYUSH Department of the Govt. of India; and these medicines should be “whole-plant” extracts and not simple THC or CBD.

One further distinction to be understood is the difference in regulations governing oral versus topical cannabis medicines. As cannabis-based medicines fall under “Schedule E(1)” of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, any formulation containing substances listed under Schedule E(1), and meant for oral consumption, should be “taken under medical supervision”. Given the vagueness of this official guidance, it is better to interpret the same strictly and equate “should be taken under medical supervision” as “prescription medicine”. Technically, only drugs listed under “Schedule H” of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules require a doctor’s prescription – but given the potential for abuse of drugs containing cannabis, it is prudent to equate Schedule E(1) with Schedule H and allow access to oral cannabis medicines only post a prescription from a Registered Medical Practitioner.

No such restriction is applicable to topical medicines. These can be sold over the counter, thus any formulations in form factors such as oils, creams, gels, balms, and patches can be bought and used by persons as per need. Such topical formulations typically target localised pain relief, inflammations and dermatological use cases.

Explore from our wide range of plant based medicine 

Is Cannabis Legal in India? Here's Everything You Need

Two cannabis plant

<h2 id="what-is-cannabis">What is cannabis?</h2>A plant species found to grow naturally in various regions across the globe, endemic to South Asia. Mature cannabis plants contain unique compounds called ‘cannabinoids’ that are utilised for their therapeutic and medicinal value.A great many cultures from different regions across the globe have a long history of utilising cannabis as a natural remedy for anxiety, pain, insomnia, and the treatment of various other ailments. However, despite this storied and shared cultural heritage, an overall lack of scientific understanding coupled with a perceived potential for societal harm has resulted in decades of strict prohibitions worldwide.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, the accumulation of a slow but steady trickle of evidence-based research has begun to rapidly change perceptions regarding cannabis medicine, and the wide range of therapeutic applications of cannabinoids.<h2 id="common-symptoms-and-conditions-for-cannabis-medicine-therapy">Common symptoms &amp; conditions for Cannabis medicine therapy</h2>COMMON SYMPTOMS &amp; CONDITIONS FOR CANNABIS MEDICINE THERAPYAcute PainAmyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAnxietyArthritisADHDAutism Spectrum DisorderAutoimmune DisorderBipolar DisorderCachexia / Poor AppetiteCancer Related PainChronic FatigueChronic Pain&nbsp;Crohn&apos;s DiseaseDepressionEndometriosis&nbsp;EpilepsyFibromyalgiaHeadache / MigraineInflammatory Bowel DiseaseIrritable Bowel SyndromeInflammationInsomnia / Sleep DisordersMenstrual Pain / CrampingMood Disorders&nbsp;Multiple SclerosisMuscle SpasticityNausea and VomitingNeuropathic Pain / Nerve DamagePalliative CareParkinson’s DiseasePolycystic Ovary SyndromePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder&nbsp;Seizure DisordersSpinal InjuriesStress<h2></h2><h2 id="countries-studying-cannabis-therapies">Countries Studying Cannabis Therapies</h2>This research has helped to fuel recent regulatory and social changes across the globe, leading to a resurgence in the use of cannabis as medicine, and redefining our understanding of its therapeutic potentials.&nbsp;Countries such as India, Canada, the USA, Uruguay, Australia, Germany, the UK and many more have enabled pathways for patients and health care providers to access cannabis medicine-based therapies. This has rapidly accelerated advancements in research into the many applications of cannabis medicine, and has subsequently led to the creation of an entirely new generation of products and consumption methods. All of which have been designed to maximize efficacy while minimizing any potential harm/side-effects.<h2 id="commonly-available-products-in-the-global-cannabis-market">Commonly available products in the global Cannabis Market</h2>COMMONLY AVAILABLE PRODUCTS IN THE GLOBAL CANNABIS MARKETFull Spectrum ExtractsTHC DistillateCBD IsolateSynthetic CannabinoidsInfused Edible Oils&nbsp;Gel CapsulesTincturesSublingual Sprays / PatchesTopical CreamsTransdermal PatchesDry Whole FlowerVaporizer Cartridges<h2 id="cannabis-in-india">Cannabis in India</h2>For patients in India, cannabis is recognised as a potent plant ingredient in Ayurveda, and cannabis medicine has earned ratification from India’s Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). As with other medications, patients can speak with their doctor about the appropriateness of cannabis medicine therapy for their needs. One can also seek out the advice of a medical practitioner who specialises in the use of cannabis medicine. If deemed appropriate, patients will be provided with a prescription to be fulfilled by a manufacturer of approved cannabis medicine products.&nbsp;Cannabis medicine products currently available in India are to be made from the leaves of the cannabis plant. Once harvested, the leaves undergo an extraction process resulting in a highly concentrated mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the cannabis plant. This concentrated extract is then used by manufactures of cannabis medicines to create infused edible oils, topical creams/lotions and other form factors.<h2 id="commonly-available-products-in-india">Commonly available products in India</h2>COMMONLY AVAILABLE PRODUCTS IN INDIAFull Spectrum Edible OilsMedicated Roll-onsCapsules / TabletsTopical CreamsTopical OilsAs the body of research on cannabis medicine grows, so shall the medical form factors, including development of targeted formulations for treating specific ailments. India is poised to become a leader in the cannabis medicine and phytopharmaceutical revolution.Check out our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">extensive range of plant based medicine</a> here.&nbsp;Originally published in the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://iafm.in/"> Indian Association of Functional Medicine</a> Newsletter

A plant species found to grow naturally in various regions across the globe, endemic to South Asia. Mature cannabis plants contain unique compounds called ‘cannabinoids’ that are utilised for their therapeutic and medicinal value.

A great many cultures from different regions across the globe have a long history of utilising cannabis as a natural remedy for anxiety, pain, insomnia, and the treatment of various other ailments. However, despite this storied and shared cultural heritage, an overall lack of scientific understanding coupled with a perceived potential for societal harm has resulted in decades of strict prohibitions worldwide.  

Fortunately, the accumulation of a slow but steady trickle of evidence-based research has begun to rapidly change perceptions regarding cannabis medicine, and the wide range of therapeutic applications of cannabinoids.

Common symptoms & conditions for Cannabis medicine therapy

COMMON SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS FOR CANNABIS MEDICINE THERAPY

This research has helped to fuel recent regulatory and social changes across the globe, leading to a resurgence in the use of cannabis as medicine, and redefining our understanding of its therapeutic potentials. 

Countries such as India, Canada, the USA, Uruguay, Australia, Germany, the UK and many more have enabled pathways for patients and health care providers to access cannabis medicine-based therapies. This has rapidly accelerated advancements in research into the many applications of cannabis medicine, and has subsequently led to the creation of an entirely new generation of products and consumption methods. All of which have been designed to maximize efficacy while minimizing any potential harm/side-effects.

Commonly available products in the global Cannabis Market

COMMONLY AVAILABLE PRODUCTS IN THE GLOBAL CANNABIS MARKET

For patients in India, cannabis is recognised as a potent plant ingredient in Ayurveda, and cannabis medicine has earned ratification from India’s Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). As with other medications, patients can speak with their doctor about the appropriateness of cannabis medicine therapy for their needs. One can also seek out the advice of a medical practitioner who specialises in the use of cannabis medicine. If deemed appropriate, patients will be provided with a prescription to be fulfilled by a manufacturer of approved cannabis medicine products. 

Cannabis medicine products currently available in India are to be made from the leaves of the cannabis plant. Once harvested, the leaves undergo an extraction process resulting in a highly concentrated mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the cannabis plant. This concentrated extract is then used by manufactures of cannabis medicines to create infused edible oils, topical creams/lotions and other form factors.

As the body of research on cannabis medicine grows, so shall the medical form factors, including development of targeted formulations for treating specific ailments. India is poised to become a leader in the cannabis medicine and phytopharmaceutical revolution.

 Indian Association of Functional Medicine

Cannabinoid Medication - Past Remedies Rediscovered

The Quint- Feature Image

<h2 id="are-you-smoking-indica-or-sativa-heres-why-it-matters-and-what-the-difference-between-the-two-is">Are you smoking indica or sativa? Here&apos;s why it matters and what the difference between the two is.</h2><h2 id="the-uses-of-cannabis">The Uses of Cannabis</h2>Cannabis. Weed. Ganja. Charas. Hash. Pot. Marijuana. The devil&apos;s lettuce. Jazz Cabbage. It&apos;s known by many names and consumed in many forms, but the one thing most people can safely agree on is that weed&nbsp;is just great&nbsp;has a multitude of uses.Parts of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://fit.thequint.com/alt-remedies/patanajali-studying-medical-marijuana-benefits#read-more">cannabis</a>&nbsp;plant are used to create medicines (CBD oil), hemp-based cloth, and to treat a range of disorders. In India, recreational use of cannabis is strictly prohibited under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. But there are exceptions to this, which we&apos;ll cover in this story.Different strains of cannabis are used to create different medicines and products. The three species of cannabis are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, or Cannabis Ruderalis.These are further categorized into thousands of strains.Today we&apos;ll explain what you should know about these, and we&apos;ll also dispel some common myths and misconceptions around the different types of marijuana.<h2 id="the-history-of-indica-and-sativa">The History of Indica and Sativa</h2>&nbsp;In 1753, botanist Carl Linnaeus, in his book,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5531363/">Species Plantarum</a>, which documented every known species of plant at the time, identified marijuana as JUST one species of plant - Cannabis sativa. There were no two strains, it was just the one type, according to him.Cannabis indica was discovered by biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785, when he was given marijuana specimens from India.On the basis of physical characteristics like the thickness of the plant&apos;s bark, the shape of leaves, and the height of the plant, Lamarck felt that this plant should be categorized differently from Cannabis sativa. Thus, he coined the species Cannabis indica.&quot;They categorized them into two types back then because hemp was an industrial resource - for fibre and medicine alike. Hemp and cannabis were often used interchangeably. The amount of hemp fibre you&apos;d get from indica and sativa would vary because they&apos;re both different sizes. These categories served a purely economic purpose back then.&quot;Raghav Priyadarshi, CEO, Savikalpa&nbsp;At some point in the history of marijuana&apos;s use, this classification which was based on appearance and economics extended to also mean different effects that each strain had.Check out a vast variety of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">plant based medicine here</a>.

Are you smoking indica or sativa? Here's why it matters and what the difference between the two is.

Cannabis. Weed. Ganja. Charas. Hash. Pot. Marijuana. The devil's lettuce. Jazz Cabbage. It's known by many names and consumed in many forms, but the one thing most people can safely agree on is that weed is just great has a multitude of uses.

 plant are used to create medicines (CBD oil), hemp-based cloth, and to treat a range of disorders. In India, recreational use of cannabis is strictly prohibited under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. But there are exceptions to this, which we'll cover in this story.

Different strains of cannabis are used to create different medicines and products. The three species of cannabis are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, or Cannabis Ruderalis.

These are further categorized into thousands of strains.

Today we'll explain what you should know about these, and we'll also dispel some common myths and misconceptions around the different types of marijuana.

 In 1753, botanist Carl Linnaeus, in his book, 

, which documented every known species of plant at the time, identified marijuana as JUST one species of plant - Cannabis sativa. There were no two strains, it was just the one type, according to him.

Cannabis indica was discovered by biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785, when he was given marijuana specimens from India.

On the basis of physical characteristics like the thickness of the plant's bark, the shape of leaves, and the height of the plant, Lamarck felt that this plant should be categorized differently from Cannabis sativa. Thus, he coined the species Cannabis indica.

"They categorized them into two types back then because hemp was an industrial resource - for fibre and medicine alike. Hemp and cannabis were often used interchangeably. The amount of hemp fibre you'd get from indica and sativa would vary because they're both different sizes. These categories served a purely economic purpose back then."

At some point in the history of marijuana's use, this classification which was based on appearance and economics extended to also mean different effects that each strain had.

Sativa vs. Indica - Understanding Differences in Cannabis

Use of Cannabis in Egypt feature image

Cannabis, in all its forms, has played an important role in many societies across all corners of the globe for millennia. Let’s take a trip through Egyptian history.<h2 id="a-background-of-cannabis-in-ancient-egypt">A Background of Cannabis in Ancient Egypt</h2>In Egypt, medical cannabis use goes back for millennia.And while many different early cultures cultivated cannabis, the ancient Egyptians exemplified a truly holistic use of the plant. It’s even possible that cannabis — Egyptian hieroglyphs called it shemshemet — became popular before the great pyramids were built.Egypt’s historical use of shemshemet appears twofold. On one hand hemp may have been used for fiber and textile; on the other hand, the more psychoactive components of cannabis may have been used medicinally. Though many sources today appear authoritative in their claims that the ancient Egyptians used hemp for this and cannabis for that, a closer inspection of the evidence is needed.Let’s take a trip back through Egyptian history, beginning around the year 3,000 BC.<h2 id="marijuana-hints-in-historical-egyptian-records">Marijuana Hints in Historical Egyptian Records</h2><img height="768" width="1200" class="wp-image-25840 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865284917_shutterstock_1780108154-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=768&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq8r5j003hulnwpvsqhetz">Luxor, Egypt: KV9, Kings’ Valley No. 9, Tomb of Memnon, tomb of the pharaohs from the 20th dynasty: Ramses V and Ramses VI (Shutterstock)While the exact timeline is less than crystal clear, cannabis was likely used in ancient Egypt as many as 5,000 years ago. Some speculate that depictions of the Egyptian Goddess of writing, Sheshat, are brimming with cannabis-inspired themes. In many paintings, she’s shown with a star-shaped leaf atop her head and a fibrous rope in her hand. Was Sheshat’s creative ability courtesy of some help from hemp? It’s a fun theory, but let’s move on to more evidence-based examples.First, it’s important to understand the context in which Egyptian medicine found itself. The culture’s understanding of the human body was far ahead of its time, and, relatively speaking, extraordinarily advanced. Although the ancient Egyptians preceded Pasteur’s germ theory by thousands of years, they nonetheless placed a great value on cleanliness and sanitation. And customs like embalming added to the Egyptian’s understanding of how the human body worked.This same medical knowledge lent itself to the extensive use of medicinal plants. At first, this usage blurred the lines — merged them, even — between science and religion. As <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ancient.eu/Egyptian_Medicine/">Egyptologist Barbara Watterson</a> notes, “the earliest ‘doctor’ was a magician, for the Egyptians believed that disease and sickness were caused by an evil force entering the body.” Thankfully, plant-based incantations seemed to be a perfect cure.Soon enough, cannabis was discovered as among the best and most powerful of these plant-based preparations. Its dual psychotropic and healing properties likely made cannabis popular among the dual doctor-magicians of ancient times. And while it’s unclear exactly when cannabis use became mainstream, the plant’s residue has been found in Egyptian artifacts dating back to more than 4,000 years ago.Around 2,000 BCE, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6126750_History_of_Cannabis_and_Its_Preparations_in_Saga_Science_and_Sobriquet">cannabis salves were used</a> to treat eye sores and glaucoma. Today science has proven what the ancient Egyptians learned through centuries of experience: that cannabis is a potent anti-inflammatory which <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224386/">reduces intraocular pressure</a>. Another Egyptologist, Lise Manniche, notes in her book An Ancient Egyptian Herbal that several texts dating back to the 18th century BCE encouraged readers to “plant medicinal cannabis.”<h2 id="cannabis-referenced-in-ancient-scrolls">Cannabis Referenced In Ancient Scrolls</h2><img height="1269" width="1200" class="wp-image-25848 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865286635_shutterstock_1150431401-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=508&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq8shf003iulnw8x2zb1zi">Egyptian papyrus (shutterstock)It’s now fairly common knowledge that Egypt was a pioneer in the development of papyrus and parchment papers. With these scrolls came the culture’s ability to write and document — and our ability to take a glimpse into their world. Papyri covering everything from legal topics to mythological tales to medical records have been found, and naturally, the medical papyri sometimes mention cannabis.The Ramesseum Papyri | According to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA10759-4">The British Museum</a>, the Ramesseum Papyri “have been described as the ‘most precious single find of papyri’ from pharaonic Egypt.” As one of the oldest medical records ever discovered (circa ~ 1750 BCE), it’s likely these tales reflect a cumulative buildup of the healing techniques of even earlier generations.The Ramesseum Papyri get their name from their origin: the ancient city of Ramesseum. Researchers have uncovered countless other gems from this Ramesses II-built city, nearly all of which points to the era’s educational prowess.The Papyri themselves point to this, too. They include information about childhood illness, anatomy, recovery from volcano-induced injuries, and the birthing process. Plate A26 of the Ramesseum III Papyrus describes this treatment for the eyes: “celery, cannabis is ground and left in the dew overnight. Both eyes of the patient are to be washed with it in the morning.” Could this have been an effective early THCA therapy?The Ebers Papyri | This remarkable collection of papyrus scrolls is the world’s oldest complete medical book. Written around 1500 BC, it describes its era’s most popular medicinal remedies. The Ebers Papyri gets its name from botanist George Ebers, who obtained it in the late 1800s. Like many others in his field, Ebers was understandably interested in gleaning whatever he could from the ancients. And with <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/papyrus.html">700 medical and magical formulas</a> spanning 110 pages, it seems there’s a lot to glean.A formula for feminine health is as follows:Formula No. 821: Shemshemet (i.e., cannabis) was to be “ground in honey; introduced into her vagina to cool the uterus and eliminate its heat.”Another cannabis-based formula for “a painful finger or toe” is effective enough that physicians are instructed to encourage their patients — “you must say to this patient: ‘A problem that I can treat’.”Formula No. 821: “honey: 1/4; ochre 1/64; cannabis: 1/32; hedjou resin: 1/32, ibou plant: 1/32. Prepare as for the preceding, and dress [the affected area] with it.”The Berlin Papyri | This slightly newer scroll (circa ~1,300 BCE) points towards the evolution of cannabis as medicine. It wasn’t just good for eye problems, feminine issues, or inflamed extremities — cannabis could be used to treat fever and inflammation too.The papyri’s 81st formula shows that cannabis was prescribed as an “ointment to prepare for driving away the fever.” Today, modern medicine has made these same anti-fever, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/">anti-inflammatory qualities</a> abundantly clear.<img height="416" width="1200" class="wp-image-800 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865288126_pasted-image-0-30.png?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8tj6003julnwizcpkqqa">The Chester Beatty Papyri | Also written around 1,300 BC is the Chester Beatty papyri. This artifact is geared mostly towards treating colorectal diseases. It likely mentions shemshemet at least twice and prescribes the plant’s crushed seeds as a valuable cure. There are even instructions on the use of cannabis suppositories for digestive purposes.Overall, examples of cannabis use within the papyri records are somewhat sparse. But the ones that are present are also very telling. As Dr. Ethan Russo quotes in a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6126750_History_of_Cannabis_and_Its_Preparations_in_Saga_Science_and_Sobriquet">2007 publication</a> in the Journal of Chemistry and Biodiversity, “as a drug, it [cannabis] has remained in active use ever since pharaonic times. It does not appear very often in the medical papyri, but it was administered by mouth, rectum, vagina, bandaged to the skin, applied to the eyes and by fumigation.”<h2 id="cannabis-for-the-pharaohs-cannabis-for-all">Cannabis for the Pharaohs, Cannabis for All</h2><img height="768" width="1200" class="wp-image-25844 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865289571_shutterstock_581069161-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=768&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq8ujw003kulnwb8vj0ow8">The Front of the Abu Simbel Temple, Aswan, Egypt (Shutterstock)Egyptian pharaohs may have used cannabis for more ceremonial purposes, too. The remains of Ramses the Great (Pharao in 1213 BCE) contain traces of cannabis, as do the remains of other mummified Egyptians. In the 1990s a series of studies from <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00199392#page-2">Nerliche</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00322236#page-1">Parsche</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01140178?LI=true">Balabanova</a> reported this surprising find. Nerliche’s study noted that mummies had a significant deposition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and concluded that this was likely obtained through cannabis smoke. As you might imagine, these studies were very controversial when they first came out.As time went on Egyptian use of medical cannabis continued to develop. By around 1,000 BC, it seems as though even Egypt’s common people had caught on to the plant’s potential benefits. Unfortunately, though, there is relatively less historical data on cannabis use during this time period.<h2 id="cannabis-as-a-medical-remedy">Cannabis as a medical remedy?</h2>Could the ancient Egyptian’s understanding of cannabis have trickled down to adeptness in other areas related to health and the body? Perhaps. In his epic work The Odyssey, Homer notes that “everyone in Egypt is a skilled Physician”. Everyone, in this case, even <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ancient.eu/article/49/female-physicians-in-ancient-egypt/">included women</a> — which was a very rare allowance in those times. Indeed, some of Egypt’s first doctors were women prized for their caregiving; other women were skilled as midwives.A final papyrus-written record surfaced around 200 AD: the Vienna Papyri. This one appears to mention cannabis as a treatment for tumors, ear pain, and fevers. In some instances, the Vienna papyri recommend using acacia and cannabis in conjunction. Though not truly ancient, this one distills down information gathered from prior time periods.Translation difficulties make coming to a full knowledge of the Egyptian’s medical cannabis use challenging, though researchers like <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfr65rYccz0&amp;t=1169s">Dr. Greg Gerdeman</a> agree that ancient mentions of shemshemet most definitely refer to cannabis. What can be said with full confidence is that the ancient Egyptians were leaders in the medical world of their era — and they attained this leadership through devotion to medicinal plants like cannabis.It’s likely that practical lessons can be learned from their devotion, too. Perhaps Dr. Russo’s review said it best: “information gleaned from the history of cannabis administration in its various forms may provide useful points of departure for research.” In the future, the wisdom of the ancient Egyptians may truly come full circle.Explore <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">plant based medicine here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

Cannabis, in all its forms, has played an important role in many societies across all corners of the globe for millennia. Let’s take a trip through Egyptian history.

A Background of Cannabis in Ancient Egypt

In Egypt, medical cannabis use goes back for millennia.

And while many different early cultures cultivated cannabis, the ancient Egyptians exemplified a truly holistic use of the plant. It’s even possible that cannabis — Egyptian hieroglyphs called it 

 — became popular before the great pyramids were built.

Egypt’s historical use of shemshemet appears twofold. On one hand hemp may have been used for fiber and textile; on the other hand, the more psychoactive components of cannabis may have been used medicinally. Though many sources today appear authoritative in their claims that the ancient Egyptians used hemp for 

, a closer inspection of the evidence is needed.

Let’s take a trip back through Egyptian history, beginning around the year 3,000 BC.

Marijuana Hints in Historical Egyptian Records

Luxor, Egypt: KV9, Kings’ Valley No. 9, Tomb of Memnon, tomb of the pharaohs from the 20th dynasty: Ramses V and Ramses VI (Shutterstock)

While the exact timeline is less than crystal clear, cannabis was likely used in ancient Egypt as many as

5,000 years ago. Some speculate that depictions of the Egyptian Goddess of writing, 

, are brimming with cannabis-inspired themes. In many paintings, she’s shown with a star-shaped leaf atop her head and a fibrous rope in her hand. Was Sheshat’s creative ability courtesy of some help from hemp? It’s a fun theory, but let’s move on to more evidence-based examples.

First, it’s important to understand the context in which Egyptian medicine found itself. The culture’s understanding of the human body was far ahead of its time, and, relatively speaking, extraordinarily advanced. Although the ancient Egyptians preceded Pasteur’s germ theory by thousands of years, they nonetheless placed a great value on cleanliness and sanitation. And customs like embalming added to the Egyptian’s understanding of how the human body worked.

This same medical knowledge lent itself to the extensive use of medicinal plants. At first, this usage blurred the lines — merged them, even — between science and religion. As 

 notes, “the earliest ‘doctor’ was a magician, for the Egyptians believed that disease and sickness were caused by an evil force entering the body.” Thankfully, plant-based incantations seemed to be a perfect cure.

Soon enough, cannabis was discovered as among the best and most powerful of these plant-based preparations. Its dual psychotropic and healing properties likely made cannabis popular among the dual doctor-magicians of ancient times. And while it’s unclear exactly when cannabis use became mainstream, the plant’s residue has been found in Egyptian artifacts dating back to more than 4,000 years ago.

 to treat eye sores and glaucoma. Today science has proven what the ancient Egyptians learned through centuries of experience: that cannabis is a potent anti-inflammatory which 

. Another Egyptologist, Lise Manniche, notes in her book 

 that several texts dating back to the 18th century BCE encouraged readers to “plant medicinal cannabis.”

It’s now fairly common knowledge that Egypt was a pioneer in the development of papyrus and parchment papers. With these scrolls came the culture’s ability to write and document — and our ability to take a glimpse into their world. Papyri covering everything from legal topics to mythological tales to medical records have been found, and naturally, the medical papyri sometimes mention cannabis.

, the Ramesseum Papyri “have been described as the ‘most precious single find of papyri’ from pharaonic Egypt.” As one of the oldest medical records ever discovered (circa ~ 1750 BCE), it’s likely these tales reflect a cumulative buildup of the healing techniques of 

The Ramesseum Papyri get their name from their origin: the ancient city of Ramesseum. Researchers have uncovered countless other gems from this Ramesses II-built city, nearly all of which points to the era’s educational prowess.

The Papyri themselves point to this, too. They include information about childhood illness, anatomy, recovery from volcano-induced injuries, and the birthing process. Plate A26 of the Ramesseum III Papyrus describes this treatment for the eyes: “celery, cannabis is ground and left in the dew overnight. Both eyes of the patient are to be washed with it in the morning.” Could this have been an effective early THCA therapy?

This remarkable collection of papyrus scrolls is the world’s oldest 

medical book. Written around 1500 BC, it describes its era’s most popular medicinal remedies. The Ebers Papyri gets its name from botanist George Ebers, who obtained it in the late 1800s. Like many others in his field, Ebers was understandably interested in gleaning whatever he could from the ancients. And with 

A formula for feminine health is as follows:

Shemshemet (i.e., cannabis) was to be “ground in honey; introduced into her vagina to cool the uterus and eliminate its heat.”

Another cannabis-based formula for “a painful finger or toe” is effective enough that physicians are instructed to encourage their patients — “you must say to this patient: ‘A problem that I can treat’.”

honey: 1/4; ochre 1/64; cannabis: 1/32; hedjou resin: 1/32, ibou plant: 1/32. Prepare as for the preceding, and dress [the affected area] with it.”

This slightly newer scroll (circa ~1,300 BCE) points towards the evolution of cannabis as medicine. It wasn’t just good for eye problems, feminine issues, or inflamed extremities — cannabis could be used to treat fever and inflammation too.

The papyri’s 81st formula shows that cannabis was prescribed as an “ointment to prepare for driving away the fever.” Today, modern medicine has made these same anti-fever, 

Also written around 1,300 BC is the Chester Beatty papyri. This artifact is geared mostly towards treating colorectal diseases. It likely mentions 

at least twice and prescribes the plant’s crushed seeds as a valuable cure. There are even instructions on the use of cannabis suppositories for digestive purposes.

Overall, examples of cannabis use within the papyri records are somewhat sparse. But the ones that are present are also very telling. As Dr. Ethan Russo quotes in a 

 in the Journal of Chemistry and Biodiversity, “as a drug, it [cannabis] has remained in active use ever since pharaonic times. It does not appear very often in the medical papyri, but it was administered by mouth, rectum, vagina, bandaged to the skin, applied to the eyes and by fumigation.”

Cannabis for the Pharaohs, Cannabis for All

The Front of the Abu Simbel Temple, Aswan, Egypt (Shutterstock)

Egyptian pharaohs may have used cannabis for more ceremonial purposes, too. The remains of Ramses the Great (Pharao in 1213 BCE) contain traces of cannabis, as do the remains of other mummified Egyptians. In the 1990s a series of studies from 

 reported this surprising find. Nerliche’s study noted that mummies had a significant deposition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and concluded that this was likely obtained through cannabis smoke. As you might imagine, these studies were very controversial when they first came out.

As time went on Egyptian use of medical cannabis continued to develop. By around 1,000 BC, it seems as though even Egypt’s common people had caught on to the plant’s potential benefits. Unfortunately, though, there is relatively less historical data on cannabis use during this time period.

Could the ancient Egyptian’s understanding of cannabis have trickled down to adeptness in other areas related to health and the body? Perhaps. In his epic work 

, Homer notes that “everyone in Egypt is a skilled Physician”. Everyone, in this case, even 

 — which was a very rare allowance in those times. Indeed, some of Egypt’s first doctors were women prized for their caregiving; other women were skilled as midwives.

A final papyrus-written record surfaced around 200 AD: the Vienna Papyri. This one appears to mention cannabis as a treatment for tumors, ear pain, and fevers. In some instances, the Vienna papyri recommend using acacia and cannabis in conjunction. Though not truly ancient, this one distills down information gathered from prior time periods.

Translation difficulties make coming to a full knowledge of the Egyptian’s medical cannabis use challenging, though researchers like 

most definitely refer to cannabis. What can be said with full confidence is that the ancient Egyptians were leaders in the medical world of their era — and they attained this leadership through devotion to medicinal plants like cannabis.

It’s likely that practical lessons can be learned from their devotion, too. Perhaps Dr. Russo’s review said it best: “information gleaned from the history of cannabis administration in its various forms may provide useful points of departure for research.” In the future, the wisdom of the ancient Egyptians may truly come full circle.

This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

Cannabis as Ancient Egyptian Medicine

Woman holding her neck

With hundreds of active compounds in cannabis, cannabis has a multiplicity of effects on the human body, including some that are less known and fascinating, such as THC&apos;s impact on the body. Read on...If you ever stop and think about it, the human body is a marvel of nature and evolution that defies all superlatives. Now imagine there was a system that ran through the microscopic constellation that makes up our physical form — and you could modulate it using cannabis. If that strikes you as strange, then take a minute to get acquainted with your body’s endocannabinoid system and its relationship with cannabis and the body.<h2 id="what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system">What is the endocannabinoid system?</h2>First discovered by scientists in the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating all types of functions of the human body. There are two main receptors of the ECS, known as CB1 and CB2. These can modulate all types of systems in the body, and one of the ways they can be affected is through the use of cannabis-based compounds called cannabinoids (“phytocannabinoids”), which produces cannabis&apos;s effects.&nbsp;Let’s take a look at seven of the main body functions and systems that the ECS plays a key role in.<h2 id="1-memory-and-learning">1. Memory and learning</h2>Cannabis is well-known for the cannabis effects it can have on short-term memory, but it’s more complicated than that. The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activates CB1, which is found throughout the brain, including in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. In addition, the CB1 receptor is responsible for what’s known as extinction learning, the process which allows new information to overwrite old memories — including traumatic ones. This is one of the reasons that the relationship between cannabis and the body can be an effective treatment for PTSD.<h2 id="2-appetite-regulation">2. Appetite regulation</h2><img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19915 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865293669_woman-eating-pastries-at-cafe.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8xod003oulnwvi7t0b3a">(Marina Boyarkina/123rf)Studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors play an essential role in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285050/">regulating food intake</a>&nbsp;And while everyone knows the stereotype of the pot smoker feasting on snack foods during a serious case of the munchies because of THC&apos;s impact on the body, there’s also strong evidence that the ECS could help manage obesity and eating disorders. In addition, research has found that cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users.<h2 id="3-thermoregulation">3. Thermoregulation</h2>Behind the scenes, without us ever knowing, our bodies maintain a core temperature despite different external environmental temperatures and factors. The ECS plays a role in thermoregulation as well, and can raise the core temperature of the human body in order to fight off infection. Thermoregulation can also protect against strokes, in addition to viral and bacterial infection, showing the impact of cannabis and the body.<h2 id="4-female-reproductive-processes">4. Female reproductive processes</h2>&nbsp;<img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19922 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865294908_woman-looking-at-pregnancy-test-fertility.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8yqs003pulnwa8ri9eyp">(Dmytro/123rf)The ECS plays an important and complex role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions. Some scientific evidence has shown that cannabis has the potential to reduce female fertility by disrupting the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, potentially delay the ovulation cycle or prevent it altogether. At the same time, ECS involvement in female reproduction suggests modulation of the endocannabinoid system is essential for <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1517/14728222.2015.1062878">essential for reproductive success</a>.<h2 id="5-immune-system-function">5. Immune system function</h2><img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19925 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865296212_man-in-bed-with-a-cold-sick.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8zpc003qulnwsaulbgwv">(nuclearlily/123rf)The ECS is generally considered a “gatekeeper” for the immune system, largely through its ability to suppress the immune system. This is one reason that cannabis can be effective in treating auto-immune conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. This effect is also a reason that some cannabis products are being studied as potential treatments to stave off the “cytokine storm” over-reaction of the immune system, including in patients with COVID-19, emphasizing a positive relationship between cannabis and the body.<h2 id="6-sleep-and-sleep-cycles">6. Sleep and sleep cycles</h2><img height="486" width="1200" class="wp-image-19928 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865297585_lying-awake-in-bed-sleep-insomnia.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq90rz003rulnwqhuxewqg">(stockme/123rf)Cannabis is a popular treatment for insomnia, and research has shown that the <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.med.upenn.edu/cbti/assets/user-content/documents/s11920-017-0775-9.pdf">activation of CB1 receptors can induce sleep </a>in laboratory settings. At the same time, cannabis use can actually reduce REM sleep — the phase of sleep during which dreams happen, highlighting the impact of cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids, on sleep and sleep cycles.<h2 id="7-pain-perception">7. Pain perception</h2><img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19931 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865298832_woman-hand-joint-pain-arthritis.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq91mw003sulnwxb4td5u0">(serezniy/123rf)Chronic pain is the most common reason patients are prescribed medical marijuana. This is because the ECS is one of the main systems responsible for the regulation of pain. ECS receptors are found in various parts of the peripheral and central nervous system, and nearly every part of the body’s pain pathway. Read more about the endocannabinoid system and how cannabis affects it to understand the full spectrum of the benefits and risks of cannabis.Explore a vast range of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">cannabinoid medicines here</a>.&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

With hundreds of active compounds in cannabis, cannabis has a multiplicity of 

effects on the human body, including some that are less known and fascinating, such as THC's impact on the body. Read on...

If you ever stop and think about it, the human body is a marvel of nature and evolution that defies all superlatives. Now imagine there was a system that ran through the microscopic constellation that makes up our physical form — and you could modulate it using cannabis. If that strikes you as strange, then take a minute to get acquainted with your body’s endocannabinoid system and its relationship with cannabis and the body.

First discovered by scientists in the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating all types of functions of the human body. There are two main receptors of the ECS, known as CB1 and CB2. These can modulate all types of systems in the body, and one of the ways they can be affected is through the use of cannabis-based compounds called cannabinoids (“phytocannabinoids”), which produces cannabis's effects. 

Let’s take a look at seven of the main body functions and systems that the ECS plays a key role in.

Cannabis is well-known for the cannabis effects it can have on short-term memory, but it’s more complicated than that. The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activates CB1, which is found throughout the brain, including in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. In addition, the CB1 receptor is responsible for what’s known as extinction learning, the process which allows new information to overwrite old memories — including traumatic ones. This is one of the reasons that the relationship between cannabis and the body can be an effective treatment for PTSD.

Studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors play an essential role in 

 And while everyone knows the stereotype of the pot smoker feasting on snack foods during a serious case of the munchies because of THC's impact on the body, there’s also strong evidence that the ECS could help manage obesity and eating disorders. In addition, research has found that cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users.

Behind the scenes, without us ever knowing, our bodies maintain a core temperature despite different external environmental temperatures and factors. The ECS plays a role in thermoregulation as well, and can raise the core temperature of the human body in order to fight off infection. Thermoregulation can also protect against strokes, in addition to viral and bacterial infection, showing the impact of cannabis and the body.

The ECS plays an important and complex role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions. Some scientific evidence has shown that cannabis has the potential to reduce female fertility by disrupting the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, potentially delay the ovulation cycle or prevent it altogether. At the same time, ECS involvement in female reproduction suggests modulation of the endocannabinoid system is essential for 

The ECS is generally considered a “gatekeeper” for the immune system, largely through its ability to suppress the immune system. This is one reason that cannabis can be effective in treating auto-immune conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. This effect is also a reason that some cannabis products are being studied as potential treatments to stave off the “cytokine storm” over-reaction of the immune system, including in patients with COVID-19, emphasizing a positive relationship between cannabis and the body.

Cannabis is a popular treatment for insomnia, and research has shown that the 

activation of CB1 receptors can induce sleep 

in laboratory settings. At the same time, cannabis use can actually reduce REM sleep — the phase of sleep during which dreams happen, highlighting the impact of cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids, on sleep and sleep cycles.

Chronic pain is the most common reason patients are prescribed medical marijuana. This is because the ECS is one of the main systems responsible for the regulation of pain. ECS receptors are found in various parts of the peripheral and central nervous system, and nearly every part of the body’s pain pathway. Read more about the endocannabinoid system and how cannabis affects it to understand the full spectrum of the benefits and risks of cannabis.

Effects of Cannabinoids on Your Body

Dancing woman

<h2 id="how-people-use-cannabis">How People Use Cannabis?</h2>Countless people turn to cannabis medicine to help manage pain, relieve stress, ease anxiety, or to simply improve mood and experience the cannabis benefits and side effects. There is no shortage of effects that cannabis has on the human body, including some that aren’t obvious. It&apos;s amazing, cannabis and physiological effects can vary from person to person.Cannabis can be a relaxing break at the end of the day, a hobby to share with friends, and a fun and hilarious way to make movies, music, and TV shows a lot more enjoyable. But with hundreds of active compounds in marijuana, there is no shortage of effects it can have on the human body, including some that aren’t obvious. It&apos;s important to understand both the benefits and side effects, although very few, of cannabis.<h2 id="cannabis-and-the-endocannabinoid-system">Cannabis &amp; the Endocannabinoid System</h2>The effects of cannabis have a lot to do with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which exists in all vertebrates and which plays a key role in regulating all types of crucial functions such as sleep, pain, and appetite. Cannabis&apos;s impact on the body is mediated through the interaction between cannabinoids and the ECS.Our bodies produce their own cannabinoids, but the ECS can be stimulated by at least some of the more than 140 cannabinoids found in cannabis (“phytocannabinoids”) — like THC — producing the plant’s effects on the human body. Understanding the interplay between cannabis and physiological effects can provide insights into its therapeutic potential and the possible side effects associated with its use.<img height="486" width="1200" class="wp-image-18019 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865302751_smoking-joint-back-yard.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=684&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq94ut003wulnwbo6j2960">Cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users. (Joshua Resnick/123rf)<h2 id="correlation-between-cannabis-and-weight">Correlation&nbsp;between Cannabis &amp; Weight</h2>1. There’s a correlation between cannabis and lower weightThe stereotype of the stoner anchored to the couch, feeling the “munchies” and devouring bags of chips is for many people the image of cannabis. Research has shown however, that while cannabis does boost your appetite, it may actually have a correlation to lower body weight, highlighting cannabis’s benefits and side effects.A 2018 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30671538/">meta-analysis of existing research</a>&nbsp;found that cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users. The researchers suggested that acute cannabis consumption “reduces energy storage and increases metabolic rates”, proving positive for the impact of cannabis on the body.Some animal based studies suggest that THCV, a minor cannabinoid that can be found in varying concentrations in different cannabis cultivars, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.12944">“can suppress food consumption and body weight”</a>.And while <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/174/8/929/155851">further research</a>&nbsp;has confirmed that obesity rates are higher in people who don’t use cannabis, there may also be a simpler, anecdotal explanations to bolster these assertions about cannabis and weight loss: Cannabis can be relaxing and therapeutic, and stress can be a strong cause of over-eating (as anyone who has put on weight recently during the lockdowns can tell you).<h2 id="effects-of-cannabis-on-ptsd">Effects&nbsp;of Cannabis on PTSD</h2>2. It can help PTSD — by overwriting traumatic memories?Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in many states and research has shown cannabis has the ability to reduce PTSD symptoms and improve sleep quality in patients. Cannabis shows benefits and very few side effects in this regard.But what may be more interesting is one of the reasons why cannabis can be effective against PTSD. Scientists found that one of the main receptors that cannabis interacts with, the CB1 receptor, is responsible for extinction learning. This process allows new information to overwrite old memories — including traumatic ones. It only goes to show, depending on the circumstances, cannabis&apos;s impact on the body can be extremely positive.According to a theory by Yale Associate Professor of Psychiatry <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/can-pot-help-cure-ptsd/Content?oid=3555045">R. Andrew Sewell</a>, stimulating CB1 receptors with cannabinoids could alleviate PTSD symptoms and possibly cure the condition by allowing extinction learning to take place — overwriting traumatic memories. Prior to his death in 2013, Sewell had launched <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266158238_Cannabinoid_augmentation_of_extinction_learning">a study</a> to examine how the administration of cannabis can help veterans undergo “exposure therapy,” during which they revisit their trauma repeatedly until it is no longer debilitating.A simpler explanation for how cannabis can help with PTSD is simply the fact that it can help improve sleep quality.<h2 id="effects-of-cannabis-on-anxiety">Effects of&nbsp;Cannabis&nbsp;on&nbsp;Anxiety</h2>3. It can both lower and raise anxietyWith its relaxing effects, cannabis is very frequently used to ease stress and anxiety. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871913/">One study from 2015</a> found that the endocannabinoid system “seems to determine the value of fear-evoking stimuli and to tune appropriate behavioural responses.”A later study carried out in 2017 asserted that chronic cannabis use “is associated with blunted stress reactivity,” and can lessen how people react to stressful stimuli.<img height="493" width="1200" class="wp-image-13453 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865304292_anxious-woman-looking-out-window.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=682&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq95x9003xulnwho6wdxbm">Cannabis can have a different and even opposite effects with smaller or larger doses. (Maria Dubova/123rf)But you can’t talk about the effects of cannabis on stress and anxiety without discussing its “biphasic effect” — that is, cannabis can have a different and even opposite effects with smaller or larger doses. Cannabis, especially in larger or more potent doses, can spark anxiety, panic, and paranoia in users. People who are prone to anxiety may prefer to start off with a small dose, or to “microdose” cannabis until they see how their body responds.Another factor that might influence the anxiety reducing effects of cannabis is terpenes. Cannabis is more than just THC and CBD — there are hundreds of other compounds with different effects. Some terpenes such as myrcene, alpha-pinene, limonene and linalool have shown anxiety reducing properties, which suggests that cannabis varieties with higher concentrations of these terpenes might be more effective for treating anxiety than others.<h2 id="cannabis-and-nausea-cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome">Cannabis&nbsp;&amp; Nausea – Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome</h2>4. Rare but frightening: Uncontrollable nausea and vomitingYou likely have never heard of this condition, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3576702/">cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome</a> (CHS) is a rare and serious side effect of chronic cannabis use that causes repeated, severe instances of vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain that can last for days. Before being diagnosed, patients are typically able to temporarily relieve the symptoms by taking a hot shower — sometimes for hours on end. The only known way to treat CHS, however, is to stop using cannabis.The condition seemingly runs counter to the strong antiemetic (anti-nausea) properties of cannabis. In fact, many patients actually increase their cannabis use before they are diagnosed, because they believe it will help ease their nausea.Although it is not known exactly what causes cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, one theory posits that stimulating the CB1 receptor can cause negative effects on the gut, such as delayed gastric emptying and altered intestinal motility, but that most of the time the antiemetic properties are more powerful.<h2 id="effects-of-cannabis-on-sleep">Effects&nbsp;of&nbsp;Cannabis&nbsp;on&nbsp;Sleep</h2>5. Suppressing REM sleep — and dreamsMany people who have taken a break from cannabis notice very quickly that they suddenly start dreaming more, or at least they find they remember their dreams much more than before. The dream-suppressing effects of cannabis can mean bizarre, vivid or very lucid dreams — or even nightmares — if one stops using it suddenly.This is also one reason that cannabis can help people suffering from PTSD — by suppressing the nightmares that keep them from getting a decent night sleep.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18313952/">A 2008 study</a> found that “smoked marijuana and oral Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduce REM sleep.” At the same time, that study stated that “difficulty sleeping and strange dreams” are among the most consistently reported symptoms of acute and subacute cannabis withdrawal.”Ultimately, while the suppression of dreams can inhibit the brain’s ability to clean out “toxic byproducts,” cannabis is a highly-effective sleep aid and can help people suffering from insomnia and nightmares to get the rest they need.From the munchies to red eyes, a dry mouth and a tendency to laugh at things that objectively perhaps aren’t that funny, cannabis has many effects that are common knowledge. But the plant actually has a far broader range of potential benefits — and side effects — and as research continues into what makes cannabis work, we’ll get an even richer concept of how and when to use it.Check out our vast range of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/pages/about">cannabinoid based medicines</a> here.&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

Countless people turn to cannabis medicine to help manage pain, relieve stress, ease anxiety, or to simply improve mood and experience the cannabis benefits and side effects. There is no shortage of effects that cannabis has on the human body, including some that aren’t obvious. It's amazing, cannabis and physiological effects can vary from person to person.

Cannabis can be a relaxing break at the end of the day, a hobby to share with friends, and a fun and hilarious way to make movies, music, and TV shows a lot more enjoyable. But with hundreds of active compounds in marijuana, there is no shortage of effects it can have on the human body, including some that aren’t obvious. It's important to understand both the benefits and side effects, although very few, of cannabis.

The effects of cannabis have a lot to do with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which exists in all vertebrates and which plays a key role in regulating all types of crucial functions such as sleep, pain, and appetite. Cannabis's impact on the body is mediated through the interaction between cannabinoids and the ECS.

Our bodies produce their own cannabinoids, but the ECS can be stimulated by at least some of the more than 140 cannabinoids found in cannabis (“phytocannabinoids”) — like THC — producing the plant’s effects on the human body. Understanding the interplay between cannabis and physiological effects can provide insights into its therapeutic potential and the possible side effects associated with its use.

Cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users. (Joshua Resnick/123rf)

1. There’s a correlation between cannabis and lower weight

The stereotype of the stoner anchored to the couch, feeling the “munchies” and devouring bags of chips is for many people the image of cannabis. Research has shown however, that while cannabis does boost your appetite, it may actually have a correlation to lower body weight, highlighting cannabis’s benefits and side effects.

 found that cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users. The researchers suggested that acute cannabis consumption “reduces energy storage and increases metabolic rates”, proving positive for the impact of cannabis on the body.

Some animal based studies suggest that THCV, a minor cannabinoid that can be found in varying concentrations in different cannabis cultivars, 

“can suppress food consumption and body weight”

 has confirmed that obesity rates are higher in people who don’t use cannabis, there may also be a simpler, anecdotal explanations to bolster these assertions about cannabis and weight loss: Cannabis can be relaxing and therapeutic, and stress can be a strong cause of over-eating (as anyone who has put on weight recently during the lockdowns can tell you).

2. It can help PTSD — by overwriting traumatic memories?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in many states and research has shown cannabis has the ability to reduce PTSD symptoms and improve sleep quality in patients. Cannabis shows benefits and very few side effects in this regard.

But what may be more interesting is one of the reasons why cannabis can be effective against PTSD. Scientists found that one of the main receptors that cannabis interacts with, the CB1 receptor, is responsible for extinction learning. This process allows new information to overwrite old memories — including traumatic ones. It only goes to show, depending on the circumstances, cannabis's impact on the body can be extremely positive.

According to a theory by Yale Associate Professor of Psychiatry 

, stimulating CB1 receptors with cannabinoids could alleviate PTSD symptoms and possibly cure the condition by allowing extinction learning to take place — overwriting traumatic memories. Prior to his death in 2013, Sewell had launched 

 to examine how the administration of cannabis can help veterans undergo “exposure therapy,” during which they revisit their trauma repeatedly until it is no longer debilitating.

A simpler explanation for how cannabis can help with PTSD is simply the fact that it can help improve sleep quality.

With its relaxing effects, cannabis is very frequently used to ease stress and anxiety. 

 found that the endocannabinoid system “seems to determine the value of fear-evoking stimuli and to tune appropriate behavioural responses.”

A later study carried out in 2017 asserted that chronic cannabis use “is associated with blunted stress reactivity,” and can lessen how people react to stressful stimuli.

Cannabis can have a different and even opposite effects with smaller or larger doses. (Maria Dubova/123rf)

But you can’t talk about the effects of cannabis on stress and anxiety without discussing its “biphasic effect” — that is, cannabis can have a different and even opposite effects with smaller or larger doses. Cannabis, especially in larger or more potent doses, can spark anxiety, panic, and paranoia in users. People who are prone to anxiety may prefer to start off with a small dose, or to “microdose” cannabis until they see how their body responds.

Another factor that might influence the anxiety reducing effects of cannabis is terpenes. Cannabis is more than just THC and CBD — there are hundreds of other compounds with different effects. Some terpenes such as myrcene, alpha-pinene, limonene and linalool have shown anxiety reducing properties, which suggests that cannabis varieties with higher concentrations of these terpenes might be more effective for treating anxiety than others.

Cannabis & Nausea – Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

4. Rare but frightening: Uncontrollable nausea and vomiting

You likely have never heard of this condition, but 

 (CHS) is a rare and serious side effect of chronic cannabis use that causes repeated, severe instances of vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain that can last for days. Before being diagnosed, patients are typically able to temporarily relieve the symptoms by taking a hot shower — sometimes for hours on end. The only known way to treat CHS, however, is to stop using cannabis.

The condition seemingly runs counter to the strong antiemetic (anti-nausea) properties of cannabis. In fact, many patients actually increase their cannabis use before they are diagnosed, because they believe it will help ease their nausea.

Although it is not known exactly what causes cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, one theory posits that stimulating the CB1 receptor can cause negative effects on the gut, such as delayed gastric emptying and altered intestinal motility, but that most of the time the antiemetic properties are more powerful.

Many people who have taken a break from cannabis notice very quickly that they suddenly start dreaming more, or at least they find they remember their dreams much more than before. The dream-suppressing effects of cannabis can mean bizarre, vivid or very lucid dreams — or even nightmares — if one stops using it suddenly.

This is also one reason that cannabis can help people suffering from PTSD — by suppressing the nightmares that keep them from getting a decent night sleep.

 found that “smoked marijuana and oral Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduce REM sleep.” At the same time, that study stated that “difficulty sleeping and strange dreams” are among the most consistently reported symptoms of acute and subacute cannabis withdrawal.”

Ultimately, while the suppression of dreams can inhibit the brain’s ability to clean out “toxic byproducts,” cannabis is a highly-effective sleep aid and can help people suffering from insomnia and nightmares to get the rest they need.

From the munchies to red eyes, a dry mouth and a tendency to laugh at things that objectively perhaps aren’t that funny, cannabis has many effects that are common knowledge. But the plant actually has a far broader range of potential benefits — and side effects — and as research continues into what makes cannabis work, we’ll get an even richer concept of how and when to use it.

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