Medicinal Cannabis Glossary

2-AG, also known as 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, is an endocannabinoid that activates the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and regulates neurotransmitter release.

Anandamide, also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine, was the first endocannabinoid to be created. A fatty acid neurotransmitter produced in the brain that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system by attaching to CB1 receptors.

The cannabis plant contains active chemicals known as phytocannabinoids, several of which have medical characteristics that might benefit patients; the most well-known being CBD and THC. Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to relieve symptoms and maintain equilibrium.

The composition and quantity of all cannabinoids contained in the plant or product.

Cannabinoid receptors are located on the surfaces of cells throughout the body, including the brain. Because the body constantly produces endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids present in cannabis can help the system operate by triggering the EC1 and EC2 receptors. This is why medical cannabis offers a diverse set of potential advantages and applications.

Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are recommended medications derived from cannabis and intended for human use.

Cannabis flower, also known as cannabis buds, is the trichome-covered section of a female cannabis plant that may be vaporised at different temperatures to achieve various cannabinoid and terpene boiling points.

Cannabis oil is an extract from the cannabis plant that is often contained in a carrier oil and has various concentrations depending on the individual plants from which it is derived.

Cannabis sativa L. is a species of plant. Cannabis comes in hundreds of different types, each with its own unique combination of phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

CBD, one of the most prominent cannabinoids, has medical advantages for anxiety, sleep, pain, and epilepsy treatment. CBD does not produce intoxication and can mitigate the harmful effects of THC. Over-the-counter CBD oil varies from legally prescribed CBMPs, which are overseen by a doctor and administered by a chemist. Prescribed CBMPs are made to pharmaceutical standards and contain consistent levels of CBD and THC, whereas store-bought CBD oil is regulated by the Food Standards Agency.

The Care Quality Commission is an independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. Its aim is to ensure that health and social care services provide individuals with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care while pushing care providers to improve.

Different cultivars, often known as’strains’, are the product of crossbreeding and genetic stabilisation of cannabis plants to develop certain features.

The Department of Health and Social Care assists ministers in guiding the nation’s health and social care systems, allowing people to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. The DHSC is a ministerial agency backed by 29 agencies and public entities.

A specified volume and frequency with which the product will be utilised. See also: ‘Titration’.

The body produces endogenous cannabinoid compounds.

The endocannabinoid system is an endogenous neurotransmitter system in the body that regulates a variety of functions. Research has connected the system to a variety of processes, including digestion, inflammation, chronic pain, memory, muscle development, sleep, mood, and motor control.
The endocannabinoid system consists of three components:

* Receptors (EC1 and EC2) and cannabinoids.

* Endocannabinoids produced by the body, including anandamide and 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol (2-AG).

* Metabolic enzymes that break down cannabis.

The entourage effect is a theorised process in which cannabis components work together to influence the overall effects of the plant. There is presently no published study to confirm that the entourage effect exists.

Flavonoids, which occur naturally in many plants, fruits, and vegetables, are antioxidant-rich components that influence the colour pigments of cannabis.

There are several regulatory organisations in healthcare that are in charge of regulating various elements of the industry, and they are frequently given particular responsibilities over certain regulations and guidelines.

Hybrid subspecies are cultivars that result from interbreeding of indica and sativa plants, and they have a combination of the traits of their parents.

A subspecies of Cannabis Sativa.L, indica dominated plants are often lower in height with wider leaves, CBD-rich, and have a musky or earthy fragrance.

Three CBMPs are now ‘licenced’ and available for prescription on the NHS for particular disorders, where considerable clinical proof of safety and efficacy has been demonstrated:

* Sativex (THC:CBD spray) is used to treat moderate-to-severe spasticity in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis who have failed to respond to previous medications.

* Epidiolex (CBD isolate), in combination with clobazam, is used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in paediatric patients.

* Nabilone (synthetic THC) is used as an additional treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
The NICE recommendations for CBMPs say that there is insufficient evidence to justify cost-effective prescription for any other ailment. While CBMPs can be lawfully prescribed by an NHS specialist, far too few people have received NHS prescriptions and payment for unlicensed CBMP.

Individuals or businesses with a legal licence to cultivate, harvest, dry, trim, cure, and/or package medicinal cannabis are referred to as licenced producers.

In the United Kingdom, the medications and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency supervises medications, medical devices, and transfusion-compatible blood components. The MHRA is an executive agency funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence’s mission is to enhance outcomes for patients using NHS and other public health and social care services. NICE:

* Provide evidence-based guidance and assistance to health, public health, and social care practitioners.
* Create quality standards and performance indicators for providers and commissioners of these services.
* Provide a variety of information services for commissioners, practitioners, and managers in health and social care.

Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids found in plants. There are more than 120 phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant. These interact with the body’s own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids. The most widely recognised phytocannabinoids are:

* Cannabidiol (CBD)
* Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

A subspecies of Cannabis Sativa.L. sativa dominant plants are often taller with narrower leaves, contain a high concentration of THC, and smell pleasant or herbal.

Terpenes, which produce a multitude of distinct odours, are responsible for the pleasant and even strong odours produced by the cannabis plant. There are said to be around 4500 cannabis strains worldwide, with each strain having its own unique profile of terpenes, resulting in its own distinct scent. Terpenes, like cannabinoids, are thought to have therapeutic characteristics and contribute to the specific impact of a strain (see also ‘Entourage impact’).

THC, one of the most famous cannabinoids, has medical advantages such as pain, nausea, and muscular spasm alleviation, as well as sleep management. THC is psychotropic, causing pleasure and sedation.

Titration is the process of determining the most effective dosage of a medication for a patient’s symptoms while minimising unfavourable side effects. Clinicians will evaluate each case individually and offer appropriate titration recommendations depending on your health circumstances, medical history, current medications, and how the patient reacts to the new drug.

These crystallised glands on the cannabis plant create resin and contain the majority of the plant’s cannabinoids.

‘Unlicensed’ CBMPs are cannabis-based medical products that lack strong clinical proof of safety and efficacy but can nevertheless be given, most often by physicians at private clinics.

There are several products available with varied cannabis concentrations and formulations, including oils and flower for vaporisation. These drugs are still prepared to pharmaceutical standards and are prescribed to individuals who have diseases that do not respond to regular therapy.

Heating cannabis using a vaporising device (vaporiser) allows the user to inhale cannabis vapour at a temperature lower than the point of combustion (burn).

A device used to heat cannabis flower and make cannabis vapour for inhalation.