CANNABINOIDS

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors. They are generally divided into three groups based on their origin.

ENDOCANNABINOIDS are produced under certain conditions in the body of vertebrates, including humans. They are our own cannabinoids. They are produced in nerve cells and function as signaling molecules. Every single cell in our body has cannabinoid receptors, which detect the concentration of cannabinoids in their vicinity and respond accordingly.

We can say that endocannabinoids send five key messages to our body about what is important to it: to eat, sleep, forget, relax, and take care of itself.

Our brain is very sensitive to changes in the cannabinoid concentration. They affect virtually every process in our bodies, such as fertility/fertilization, breastfeeding, development, immunity, learning, coordination, metabolism, hormone production, the circulatory system, pancreatic function, etc.

PHYTOCANNABINOIDS are found in certain plants (cannabis, Echinacea, common rue, etc.). Plant-based cannabinoids are chemically very similar to endocannabinoids, which is why they activate the same receptors in our body. The cannabis plant contains over 140 different cannabinoids and over 1,060 biologically active components in total. THC and CBD are the most well-known cannabinoids, even though other cannabinoids have also demonstrated extraordinary potential (CBN, CBG, CBC). Research clearly shows the best results with extracts from the whole plant, where the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other biologically active and inactive components is present.

SYNTHETIC CANNABONOIDS are produced in a laboratory through chemical reactions, they are also present in most pharmaceutical concoctions. Synthetic cannabinoids are significantly less effective compared to natural cannabinoids.

CBD

Cannabidiol or CBD is one of over 140 identified cannabinoids in the cannabis plant so far. The average concentration of CBD in the plant depends greatly on the species and growth conditions. In contrast to THC, which is illegal in Slovenia (the legislation allows up to 0.2% of THC per gram of dry substance), CBD does not have an intoxicating effect. Despite the low legal THC levels, its presence is desired since THC and CBD have a much greater therapeutic potential when combined and a broader spectrum of beneficial effects than individual cannabinoids.

CBD primarily affects the peripheral nerves and the immune system. In general, CBD helps balance the activity of the endocannabinoid system, which also affects the sensation of pain, movement, emotions, and sleep.

DECARBOXYLATION

Phytocannabinoids in a fresh cannabis plant occur as acids, the most well-known of which are cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Other beneficial compounds found in cannabis are terpenes, flavonoids and phytosterols.

Decarboxylation converts inactive acidic compounds into active compounds (e.g., CBDA into CBD, THCA into THC) and in so doing unlocks their therapeutic effects. Decarboxylation requires heat and time. Drying or aging cannabis buds already starts the process of decarboxylation. To enable the body to absorb the beneficial cannabinoids more easily, we expose the dried cannabis buds to a certain temperature for a longer period of time.

Information on the correct procedure, the appropriate temperature and time of decarboxylation of cannabis vary considerably. It’s clear that different cannabinoids (also terpenes) need different temperatures and exposure times to activate. If the thresholds for the temperature and/or time are exceeded, the healing substances, especially THC, start to degrade.

Decarboxylation is not a linear process, so using a kitchen oven (the temperature isn’t exact or stable) isn’t the most reliable method and it can’t be used to achieve perfect decarboxylation.

To preserve as many essential compounds as possible, a longer decarboxylation at a lower temperature is recommended. Studies show that the optimal temperature for CBD is 100 °C. As far as the time frame is concerned, neither THC nor CBD will immediately decarboxylate at exact temperatures. In order for the COOH group break down into water and carbon dioxide, a longer period is needed – usually between 40 and 90 minutes.

Our method

Heat the oven to 110 °C.

Spread the crushed cannabis flowers on a baking sheet and heat them for 90 minutes.

Raw, non-activated cannabinoids also have beneficial effects. Cannabinoid acids have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Fresh flowers are full of vitamins and nutrients found also in other healing plants. Juicing is the best way to get the full advantages of these raw cannabinoids.