Cannabis - Anafar

Hemp (Cannabis sativa, Cannabaceae family) is a herbaceous plant native to the Asian Himalayan mountain ranges. Its human use dates back to almost three thousand years ago, both for the extraction of medicinal oils and for obtaining fibers and seeds. It is currently cultivated all over the world. The active ingredients of cannabis are phytocannabinoids, which are mainly concentrated in the flowers of the female plant, commonly known as buds. There are more than 100 different phytocannabinoids, but the most abundant and also the most studied in the clinical setting are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). 

These compounds mimic the action of substances generated naturally by our own body, called endocannabinoids. Thus, through the interaction with their cannabinoid receptors, they contribute to regulating various physiological functions in our body: body temperature, appetite, pain perception, sleep-wake cycle, memory, motor activity and balance, emotions-mood… . 

Until the relatively recent discovery of the endocannabinoid system in the 1990s, the great therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has been ignored. Although the medicinal use of cannabis is widely recognized today, it still has a somewhat bad reputation due to its psychotropic effect and is therefore frequently identified as a “drug.” 

However, this psychoactive effect of cannabis is mainly attributable to THC, which is the specific component for which cannabis preparations are controlled (according to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961). 

On the contrary, CBD or cannabidiol can be freely marketed. We find it on the market in various presentations. CBD is not psychoactive, addictive or harmful to health. This was determined by a historic report issued by an Expert Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017, which provided conclusions favorable to the use of cannabidiol. 

Therefore, it is necessary to clarify that the recreational use of cannabis is radically DIFFERENT from the medicinal use. Of course, when we refer to medical cannabis treatment we are not talking about SMOKING cannabis. In this case, the psychoactive effect is considered a side effect. 

Both the varieties of the plant used for medicinal use, as well as the route of administration, dosage, and frequency of consumption are very different.

Is this “drug” so different from pharmaceuticals?

I think it all depends on “how it is used”. We also frequently observe misuse of medications, which generate problems such as lack of effectiveness or safety and abuse… And of course they also have their side effects and serious adverse reactions… In my opinion, any substance that represents a possible benefit to the patient, especially when other conventional therapies have failed, it should be considered as a therapeutic tool. But above all, it is essential to always provide the patient with appropriate information and guidelines, in order to make safe, responsible and effective use of the treatment. 

According to the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis (OECM), the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids that are well established and documented are: analgesia, inhibitor of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, appetite stimulant and antidepressant/anxiolytic. Furthermore, scientific evidence indicates that they may also be useful in other pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases (especially for spasticity in multiple sclerosis), epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease… 

Medical cannabis is not a curative treatment. However, it helps alleviate the symptoms of certain diseases and therefore improves the quality of life of many patients. 

In June 2022, the Health and Consumer Affairs Commission of the Congress of Deputies finally approved the legalization of medicinal cannabis in Spain. Currently, we are waiting for the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) to define the model for dispensing quality cannabis-derived preparations, with all the guarantees for the patient. Meanwhile, we must follow certain recommendations to reduce the risks associated with its consumption:

Consult with a health professional. Talk naturally about it with your doctor. 
Be very careful before self-medicating, especially if it is the first time you use cannabis or you are a vulnerable person: elderly, pregnant, psychiatric patients or those with heart disease. 
Use quality cannabis preparations, free of pesticides and toxins and of known composition. 
Don't smoke cannabis. Carcinogenic toxins are generated in combustion (even if it is not mixed with tobacco). 
Find out about the possible side effects and risks. 
Use the preparations in a safe environment and keep them out of the reach of other people (especial caution with children).

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