Main active ingredients of cannabis

1. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

• The main psychoactive component.

• Has analgesic, antiemetic, antispasmodic and neuroprotective properties.

• Used to treat chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and cancer patients (e.g. dronabinol).

2. Cannabidiol (CBD)

• Has no psychoactive properties.

• Has anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects.

• Used for epilepsy (Epidiolex), anxiety disorders and inflammatory diseases.

3. Cannabinol (CBN)

• Is formed during the breakdown of THC.

• Has sedative, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

4. Cannabigerol (CBG)

• Precursor for other cannabinoids.

• Exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

5. Cannabichromene (CBC)

• Participates in the modulation of pain sensations and has potential neuroprotective activity.

Pharmaceutical applications

Cannabis-based pharmaceuticals are developed in various forms: oils, capsules, sprays, inhalations. For example:

• Epidiolex – CBD for the treatment of epilepsy.

• Marinol (Marinol, Dronabinol) – synthetic THC used in chemotherapy and AIDS.

• Sativex – THC and CBD spray for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Cannabis-based APIs are gaining increasing attention in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the treatment of chronic pain, neurological diseases, and psychiatric disorders.