Cannabis / Hemp
Cannabis sativa
Other names: marijuana, hemp, ganja, hashish, vijaya/bhanga (Skt.), kanapi (Geo.)
Edible plantPhoto credit: Thayne Tuason / Wikimedia Commons
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
Safety information
Toxicity: THC causes acute intoxication, impaired cognition/coordination, tachycardia, anxiety/panic, psychosis risk in predisposed; cannabinoid hyperemesis with chronic heavy use; dependence. CBD: dose-related transient liver enzyme elevations, somnolence, diarrhea. Smoke exposure is harmful.
Contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding; personal/family history of psychosis; serious cardiovascular disease; children/adolescents (recreational); hepatic impairment (high-dose CBD).
Interactions: CBD inhibits CYP3A4/CYP2C19 and raises clobazam, valproate (hepatotoxicity), warfarin, and other CYP substrates; additive sedation with CNS depressants/alcohol; THC additive with sympathomimetics and other psychoactives.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
standardized pharmaceutical extract · purified cannabidiol (CBD)
Part used: purified cannabidiol (CBD)
Traditional use: seizures in Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet, tuberous sclerosis complex
Proposed mechanism: cannabinoid receptor modulation
standardized pharmaceutical extract · THC:CBD oromucosal extract
Part used: THC:CBD oromucosal extract
Traditional use: MS spasticity, cancer pain
Proposed mechanism: cannabinoid receptor modulation
traditional preparation · flowering tops, resin
Part used: flowering tops, resin
Traditional use: pain, sleep, anxiety, ritual/recreational intoxication(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)
Proposed mechanism: THC agonism at cannabinoid receptors
Associated conditions
Edibility
Edible parts: hulled hemp seed and hemp-seed oil are foods (negligible THC), high-protein/omega-rich; psychoactive flower/resin is NOT a food
Nutritional notes
hemp seed: complete protein, omega-3/omega-6 PUFA, magnesium, fiber
Healing traditions
Sources (4)
- CRS: Cannabis & the Controlled Substances Act (US CRS)
- EPIDIOLEX (cannabidiol) FDA label (FDA, 2018)
- FDA Regulation of Cannabis/CBD (FDA)
- Nabiximols overview (ScienceDirect)