Medicinal cannabis is a natural product that provides a range of health benefits.

Cannabis was used medicinally in ancient Indian, Chinese, Egyptian and Islamic cultures. Nowadays, cannabis finds application in the treatment of a wide range of diseases and symptoms. Owing to its therapeutic benefits, cannabis has been approved for medical use in numerous countries, with varying degrees of legal restrictions.

The cannabis plant produces natural compounds called cannabinoids that can help regulate our body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for many key physiological functions, including mood, memory, energy, metabolism and immunity. These compounds can be extracted from the plant and used in medicine to help alleviate a host of symptoms.

The cannabinoids that are in greatest abundance in cannabis (and used most in medicine) are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and CBD (cannabidiol). THC and CBD act through the endocannabinoid system and have different effects on the body.

Cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, are a diverse set of chemical compounds present within cannabis flowers. Cannabinoids are compatible for special receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and imitate compounds that are naturally produced by the body to regulate homeostasis (maintain internal stability).