The useful plant hemp is used in many very different areas of application. Due to its intoxicating and stimulating effect, hemp is not only used as a drug, but also increasingly in medicine.
In this article, you will learn interesting facts about the following topics
- Intoxicating ingredients of the hemp plant
- Areas of application in medicine
- What you (don't) get high from and
- How society thinks about cannabis
Remedies with a long tradition
Hemp was used as a remedy by various cultures as early as 1000 BC. In Central Asia in particular, the special properties of the plant were utilized. At that time, some of the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant that have been rediscovered today were already known. In general, however, a distinction must be made here according to variety, because not all hemp is the same!
The plant we use only contains the cannabinoid CBD, whereas other hemp plants such as marijuana also produce the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This substance is responsible for the intoxicating and psychoactive effect. Unlike in food production, where the focus is on the nutritional value of hemp seeds, the pharmaceutical industry uses the flowers of the plant and the cannabinoids CBD and THC bound in the oil.
Wait a minute - what is actually what?
If you are confused about exactly what the different terms mean, this explanation from the German Hemp Association will bring light into the darkness:
- Cannabis - Latin for "hemp" - generally refers to the hemp plant and products containing THC.
- Marijuana or weed - these are the flowers of the female hemp plant. The THC- and CBD-containing resin of the plant forms on the glandular hairs.
- Hashish - is the collected and usually pressed resin of the hemp plant.
What gets you high?
The THC cannabinoid is responsible for the psychoactive effect when consuming cannabis. It stimulates parts of the brain and thus causes the release of dopamine - this leads to a feeling of euphoria and well-being. THC also alleviates the symptoms of pain and inflammation. This combination usually leads to a feeling of satisfaction and relaxation when consumed.
However, THC also has its downsides and can have a negative effect on the mind and body: The feeling of euphoria can quickly turn into a state of anxiety or even a panic attack. Known side effects also include a confused state of mind and even hallucinations or film tears. Heart palpitations, nausea and dizziness can also occur. Long-term use of THC has even worse effects on adolescents than on adults and can even trigger psychosis if they are genetically predisposed.
CBD, on the other hand, does not cause any psychoactive effects and is therefore legally available in most countries (including Germany) in quantities corresponding to personal use. CBD is already used in the treatment of schizophrenia, anxiety and depression, as well as a remedy for many other psychotic symptoms. CBD can be ingested as oil, seeds or tea, for example.
Areas of application in medicine
Since the state of medical knowledge on the various areas of application of cannabis is relatively inconsistent, the actual therapeutic potential of the hemp plant is not fully known for many diseases. The International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines lists the following diseases for which CBD and THC are used:
- Nausea and vomiting as side effects of chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite and emaciation
- Spasticity in the context of multiple sclerosis and paraplegia
- Movement disorders such as Tourette's syndrome
- Pain conditions that occur as a result of an illness
Almost 70% of Germans are willing to use it
In recent years, the acceptance of hemp in medicine has increased. Almost 70% of Germans aged 16-69 can imagine using cannabidiol (CBD) for medical purposes or have already used it. This was the result of the following study by Statista in July 2019:
Growing hemp as a household remedy in your own garden?
No, that is not possible! Both the cultivation of marijuana and industrial hemp are subject to strict regulations. Private individuals are not permitted to grow these plants without official authorization. For us, too, the path to growing our own our own hemp fields long and rocky, but in the end it was worth it!
If you would like to try our hemp products, then take a look at our online shop here!
There's something for every taste ;-)