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Most of us are used to taking different medicines for different problems - something for sleep, something else for pain, and maybe another pill for anxiety. Each one targets a specific symptom, working on a single part of the body. But what if one medicine could support multiple issues at once, without needing a stack of prescriptions?That’s the idea behind polypharmacology, and it’s what makes cannabinoid medicines so unique.<h2 id="what-is-polypharmacology">What is Polypharmacology?</h2>Let’s break it down. “Poly” means many, and “pharmacology” is the study of how drugs affect the body. So, polypharmacology means that one compound can act on multiple systems or pathways in the body at the same time. This is exactly how cannabinoids, natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, work.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37050032/">Cannabinoid medicines </a>don’t just suppress symptoms. Instead, they help the body return to a state of balance, or homeostasis, by interacting with a wide network in the body called the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5877694/">endocannabinoid system (ECS). </a>The ECS plays a key role in regulating pain, stress, mood, sleep, immunity, appetite, and even digestion.<h2 id="so-what-does-this-mean-in-real-life">So, what does this mean in real life?</h2>If someone is dealing with chronic back pain, the pain makes it hard to sleep. Lack of sleep makes one more anxious and irritable. The anxiety flares up the digestive issues. Soon, it’s all connected and we are left managing not just one problem but a whole chain reaction of discomforts. This is where cannabinoid receptors come into play.<h2 id="what-are-cannabinoid-receptors">What are Cannabinoid Receptors?</h2>A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18426493/">cannabinoid receptor </a>is a special type of protein found on the surface of certain cells in the body. It acts like a sensor that responds to cannabinoids, compounds either made naturally by the body (called endocannabinoids) or found in the cannabis plant (like THC and CBD). When a cannabinoid binds to a receptor, it triggers specific effects in the body, such as reducing pain, calming inflammation, improving mood, or supporting sleep.&nbsp;<h2 id="which-receptors-do-cannabinoids-affect">Which Receptors do Cannabinoids Affect?</h2>This is where cannabinoid medicines are different. Instead of needing one medicine for each problem, cannabinoids can target multiple parts of that chain.Here&apos;s how they do it:<ul class="list-disc mx-5"><li>CB1 receptors, found mainly in the brain and nervous system, regulate mood, memory, pain, and sleep.</li><li>CB2 receptors, mostly found in the immune system, help reduce inflammation and modulate immunity.</li></ul>But cannabinoids don’t stop there. They also affect:<ul class="list-disc mx-5"><li>TRPV1 receptors are involved in pain and temperature sensing (also activated by things like chilli peppers). Cannabinoids can reduce sensitivity here to ease pain.</li><li>5-HT1A receptors, part of the serotonin system, help regulate anxiety and mood.</li><li>PPARs, which influence inflammation, metabolism, and energy use.</li><li>GPR55, believed to help with pain processing and bone health.<img height="400" width="1200" class="" src="https://media.savikalpa.com/storage/v1/object/public/media/1749730659405_howcannabinoidsworkbloginfographic.png" alt="cmbtcgiar011jkzit6h1w3px6"></li></ul><h2 id="what-conditions-can-cannabinoid-medicines-help-with">What Conditions can Cannabinoid Medicines Help With?</h2>Cannabinoids may be useful in managing:<ul class="list-disc mx-5"><li>Chronic pain and inflammation</li><li>Insomnia and poor sleep quality</li><li>Anxiety and mood disorders</li><li>Appetite issues and digestive discomfort</li><li>Autoimmune or stress-related symptoms</li></ul>Many people today are not just dealing with one health issue. They’re juggling a mix of physical pain, emotional stress, poor sleep, and fatigue. And the traditional approach of treating each of these separately can feel overwhelming. Cannabinoid medicines offer a more integrated, supportive approach.<h2 id="are-cannabinoid-medicines-for-everyone">Are Cannabinoid Medicines for Everyone?</h2>Does this mean they work for everyone or are a cure-all? Not at all. Like any therapeutic tool, results can vary depending on the individual, the condition, the dose, and the formulation. But when used appropriately, cannabinoid medicines may reduce the need for multiple pills and improve overall quality of life in a more natural, body-aligned way. But this should always be taken under the guidance of a healthcare expert. Book an online consultation through our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/e-clinic">e-clinic page</a> to get started.Another important piece is what’s known as the “entourage effect.” This is the idea that cannabinoids (like CBD and THC) and terpenes (plant-based aroma compounds) work better together than in isolation. For example, CBD may reduce the unwanted effects of THC while still supporting pain relief and anxiety reduction. Terpenes like linalool (also found in lavender) can further enhance relaxation, making the formulation even more holistic.So, when people ask, “How can one plant help with so many different issues?” the answer lies in polypharmacology - a quality that’s rare in modern medicine but deeply aligned with how our bodies are wired.In a world where people are overwhelmed with medications, stress, and disconnection from their bodies, cannabinoid-based polypharmacology offers something different: a chance to heal more naturally, more gently, and more holistically by supporting not just one system, but the whole human experience.Read more:<ul class="list-disc mx-5"><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/blog/cannabis-medicine-remedies-of-the-past-rediscovered">Cannabinoid Medication: Past Remedies Rediscovered</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/blog/cannabis-for-wellness">Cannabis for Wellness</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/blog/homeostasis-and-the-endocannabinoid-system">Homeostasis and the Endocannabinoid System</a></li></ul>

Most of us are used to taking different medicines for different problems - something for sleep, something else for pain, and maybe another pill for anxiety. Each one targets a specific symptom, working on a single part of the body. But what if one medicine could support multiple issues at once, without needing a stack of prescriptions?

That’s the idea behind polypharmacology, and it’s what makes cannabinoid medicines so unique.

Let’s break it down. “Poly” means many, and “pharmacology” is the study of how drugs affect the body. So, polypharmacology means that one compound can act on multiple systems or pathways in the body at the same time. This is exactly how cannabinoids, natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, work.

don’t just suppress symptoms. Instead, they help the body return to a state of balance, or homeostasis, by interacting with a wide network in the body called the 

The ECS plays a key role in regulating pain, stress, mood, sleep, immunity, appetite, and even digestion.

If someone is dealing with chronic back pain, the pain makes it hard to sleep. Lack of sleep makes one more anxious and irritable. The anxiety flares up the digestive issues. Soon, it’s all connected and we are left managing not just one problem but a whole chain reaction of discomforts. This is where cannabinoid receptors come into play.

is a special type of protein found on the surface of certain cells in the body. It acts like a sensor that responds to cannabinoids, compounds either made naturally by the body (called endocannabinoids) or found in the cannabis plant (like THC and CBD). When a cannabinoid binds to a receptor, it triggers specific effects in the body, such as reducing pain, calming inflammation, improving mood, or supporting sleep. 

This is where cannabinoid medicines are different. Instead of needing one medicine for each problem, cannabinoids can target multiple parts of that chain.

But cannabinoids don’t stop there. They also affect:

What Conditions can Cannabinoid Medicines Help With?

Many people today are not just dealing with one health issue. They’re juggling a mix of physical pain, emotional stress, poor sleep, and fatigue. And the traditional approach of treating each of these separately can feel overwhelming. Cannabinoid medicines offer a more integrated, supportive approach.

Does this mean they work for everyone or are a cure-all? Not at all. Like any therapeutic tool, results can vary depending on the individual, the condition, the dose, and the formulation. But when used appropriately, cannabinoid medicines may reduce the need for multiple pills and improve overall quality of life in a more natural, body-aligned way. But this should always be taken under the guidance of a healthcare expert. Book an online consultation through our 

Another important piece is what’s known as the “entourage effect.” This is the idea that cannabinoids (like CBD and THC) and terpenes (plant-based aroma compounds) work better together than in isolation. For example, CBD may reduce the unwanted effects of THC while still supporting pain relief and anxiety reduction. Terpenes like linalool (also found in lavender) can further enhance relaxation, making the formulation even more holistic.

So, when people ask, “How can one plant help with so many different issues?” the answer lies in polypharmacology - a quality that’s rare in modern medicine but deeply aligned with how our bodies are wired.

In a world where people are overwhelmed with medications, stress, and disconnection from their bodies, cannabinoid-based polypharmacology offers something different: a chance to heal more naturally, more gently, and more holistically by supporting not just one system, but the whole human experience.

Understanding the Polypharmacology of Cannabinoid Medicines

Two cannabis plant

<h2 style="text-align: left" id="what-is-cannabis">What is cannabis?</h2>A plant species found to grow naturally in various regions across the globe, endemic to South Asia. Mature cannabis plants contain unique compounds called ‘cannabinoids’ that are utilised for their therapeutic and medicinal value.A great many cultures from different regions across the globe have a long history of utilising cannabis as a natural remedy for anxiety, pain, insomnia, and the treatment of various other ailments. However, despite this storied and shared cultural heritage, an overall lack of scientific understanding coupled with a perceived potential for societal harm has resulted in decades of strict prohibitions worldwide.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, the accumulation of a slow but steady trickle of evidence-based research has begun to rapidly change perceptions regarding cannabis medicine, and the wide range of therapeutic applications of cannabinoids.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="common-symptoms-and-conditions-for-cannabis-medicine-therapy">Common symptoms &amp; conditions for Cannabis medicine therapy</h2>COMMON SYMPTOMS &amp; CONDITIONS FOR CANNABIS MEDICINE THERAPYAcute PainAmyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAnxietyArthritisADHDAutism Spectrum DisorderAutoimmune DisorderBipolar DisorderCachexia / Poor AppetiteCancer Related PainChronic FatigueChronic Pain&nbsp;Crohn&apos;s DiseaseDepressionEndometriosis&nbsp;EpilepsyFibromyalgiaHeadache / MigraineInflammatory Bowel DiseaseIrritable Bowel SyndromeInflammationInsomnia / Sleep DisordersMenstrual Pain / CrampingMood Disorders&nbsp;Multiple SclerosisMuscle SpasticityNausea and VomitingNeuropathic Pain / Nerve DamagePalliative CareParkinson’s DiseasePolycystic Ovary SyndromePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder&nbsp;Seizure DisordersSpinal InjuriesStress<h2 style="text-align: left"></h2><h2 style="text-align: left" id="countries-studying-cannabis-therapies">Countries Studying Cannabis Therapies</h2>This research has helped to fuel recent regulatory and social changes across the globe, leading to a resurgence in the use of cannabis as medicine, and redefining our understanding of its therapeutic potentials.&nbsp;Countries such as India, Canada, the USA, Uruguay, Australia, Germany, the UK and many more have enabled pathways for patients and health care providers to access cannabis medicine-based therapies. This has rapidly accelerated advancements in research into the many applications of cannabis medicine, and has subsequently led to the creation of an entirely new generation of products and consumption methods. All of which have been designed to maximize efficacy while minimizing any potential harm/side-effects.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="commonly-available-products-in-the-global-cannabis-market">Commonly available products in the global Cannabis Market</h2>COMMONLY AVAILABLE PRODUCTS IN THE GLOBAL CANNABIS MARKETFull Spectrum ExtractsTHC DistillateCBD IsolateSynthetic CannabinoidsInfused Edible Oils&nbsp;Gel CapsulesTincturesSublingual Sprays / PatchesTopical CreamsTransdermal PatchesDry Whole FlowerVaporizer Cartridges<h2 style="text-align: left" id="cannabis-in-india">Cannabis in India</h2>For patients in India, cannabis is recognised as a potent plant ingredient in Ayurveda, and cannabis medicine has earned ratification from India’s Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). As with other medications, patients can speak with their doctor about the appropriateness of cannabis medicine therapy for their needs. One can also seek out the advice of a medical practitioner who specialises in the use of cannabis medicine. If deemed appropriate, patients will be provided with a prescription to be fulfilled by a manufacturer of approved cannabis medicine products.&nbsp;Cannabis medicine products currently available in India are to be made from the leaves of the cannabis plant. Once harvested, the leaves undergo an extraction process resulting in a highly concentrated mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the cannabis plant. This concentrated extract is then used by manufactures of cannabis medicines to create infused edible oils, topical creams/lotions and other form factors.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="commonly-available-products-in-india">Commonly available products in India</h2>COMMONLY AVAILABLE PRODUCTS IN INDIAFull Spectrum Edible OilsMedicated Roll-onsCapsules / TabletsTopical CreamsTopical OilsAs the body of research on cannabis medicine grows, so shall the medical form factors, including development of targeted formulations for treating specific ailments. India is poised to become a leader in the cannabis medicine and phytopharmaceutical revolution.Check out our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">extensive range of plant based medicine</a> here.&nbsp;Originally published in the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://iafm.in/"> Indian Association of Functional Medicine</a> Newsletter

A plant species found to grow naturally in various regions across the globe, endemic to South Asia. Mature cannabis plants contain unique compounds called ‘cannabinoids’ that are utilised for their therapeutic and medicinal value.

A great many cultures from different regions across the globe have a long history of utilising cannabis as a natural remedy for anxiety, pain, insomnia, and the treatment of various other ailments. However, despite this storied and shared cultural heritage, an overall lack of scientific understanding coupled with a perceived potential for societal harm has resulted in decades of strict prohibitions worldwide.  

Fortunately, the accumulation of a slow but steady trickle of evidence-based research has begun to rapidly change perceptions regarding cannabis medicine, and the wide range of therapeutic applications of cannabinoids.

Common symptoms & conditions for Cannabis medicine therapy

COMMON SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS FOR CANNABIS MEDICINE THERAPY

This research has helped to fuel recent regulatory and social changes across the globe, leading to a resurgence in the use of cannabis as medicine, and redefining our understanding of its therapeutic potentials. 

Countries such as India, Canada, the USA, Uruguay, Australia, Germany, the UK and many more have enabled pathways for patients and health care providers to access cannabis medicine-based therapies. This has rapidly accelerated advancements in research into the many applications of cannabis medicine, and has subsequently led to the creation of an entirely new generation of products and consumption methods. All of which have been designed to maximize efficacy while minimizing any potential harm/side-effects.

Commonly available products in the global Cannabis Market

COMMONLY AVAILABLE PRODUCTS IN THE GLOBAL CANNABIS MARKET

For patients in India, cannabis is recognised as a potent plant ingredient in Ayurveda, and cannabis medicine has earned ratification from India’s Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). As with other medications, patients can speak with their doctor about the appropriateness of cannabis medicine therapy for their needs. One can also seek out the advice of a medical practitioner who specialises in the use of cannabis medicine. If deemed appropriate, patients will be provided with a prescription to be fulfilled by a manufacturer of approved cannabis medicine products. 

Cannabis medicine products currently available in India are to be made from the leaves of the cannabis plant. Once harvested, the leaves undergo an extraction process resulting in a highly concentrated mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the cannabis plant. This concentrated extract is then used by manufactures of cannabis medicines to create infused edible oils, topical creams/lotions and other form factors.

As the body of research on cannabis medicine grows, so shall the medical form factors, including development of targeted formulations for treating specific ailments. India is poised to become a leader in the cannabis medicine and phytopharmaceutical revolution.

 Indian Association of Functional Medicine

Cannabinoid Medication - Past Remedies Rediscovered

Forming heart with hands

<h2 style="text-align: left" id="cannabinoids-and-gut-health">Cannabinoids &amp; Gut Health</h2>Our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its role in maintaining overall health has expanded significantly in recent years. Beyond its influence on pain perception, mood regulation, and immune function, emerging research suggests that cannabinoids can have positive effects on gut health. Better gut health is now understood to be a key determinant in disease prevention – not dissimilar to Ayurveda which exhorts the primacy of the gut microbiome in maintaining health. In this article, we will explore the connection between cannabinoids and the gut, shedding light on how these compounds may offer potential therapeutic benefits for various gastrointestinal conditions.Cannabis has been reported to offer potential benefits in managing various symptoms related to gut health. The cannabinoids found in cannabis, such as but not limited to THC and CBD, have shown promise in reducing abdominal pain and cramping through their analgesic and anti-spasmodic properties. Additionally, cannabis has been observed to reduce nausea and vomiting, making it potentially beneficial for individuals experiencing gastrointestinal distress. Cannabinoids also help in managing symptoms like diarrhoea. Interestingly, cannabis has been known to stimulate appetite, making it potentially useful for individuals struggling with poor appetite.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-ayurvedic-perspective">The Ayurvedic Perspective</h2>Looking at it from an Ayurvedic perspective, Vijaya (full-spectrum cannabis extract) is understood to have Deepan (enhances digestion), Pachan (helps in digestion), Rochan (stimulates appetite) and Grahi (that which promotes absorption) characteristics. In other words, cannabis improves appetite, digestion, and absorption/assimilation through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids, and particularly THC, have been shown to stimulate the release of hunger-inducing hormones, such as ghrelin, leading to increased appetite too. Vijaya is also considered a pain reliever and its Grahi properties help alleviate irritable bowel syndrome. Ayurveda underlines that all gut issues are psychosomatic. Considering Vijaya is calming and improves sleep, it helps maintain a stable mind and therefore a comfortable stomach.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-endocannabinoid-system-and-cannabinoid-receptors">The Endocannabinoid System &amp; Cannabinoid Receptors</h2>Developing research on the endocannabinoid system shows our bodies naturally produce neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are chemically similar to endocannabinoids. Both cannabinoids and endocannabinoids interact with receptors located in the brain, nervous system, muscles, fat, digestive tract and more. There are primarily two types of cannabinoid receptors, type 1 or CB1 and type 2 or CB2. Activation of CB1 receptors reduces gut motility, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which are characterized by abnormal bowel movements. Conversely, targeting CB2 receptors may increase gut motility, which could benefit individuals experiencing constipation.Humans have CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout their bodies. When cannabinoids interact with these receptors in different parts of the body, they have various therapeutic and healing effects. Cannabinoids interacting with CB1 receptors in the oral cavity result in decreased nausea and vomiting, improved appetite and improved pain control. Cannabinoids interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the stomach result in decreased oesophageal sphincter relaxation, delayed gastric emptying and reduced gastric acid secretion. Cannabinoids interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in various parts of the small intestine result in decreased intestinal motility, decreased gut secretion, inhibition of cytokine and chemokine production, induction of apoptosis, T-cell induction, inhibition of cell proliferation, improved epithelial healing and decreased intestinal permeability.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-effects-of-cannabinoids">The Effects of Cannabinoids</h2>While research is still limited, the studies on the relationship between cannabis and IBS show benefits. Out of 319 patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome observed at the University of Calgary:<ul class="list-disc mx-5"><li>17.6% used cannabis to relieve symptoms</li><li>83.9% reported that it improved abdominal pain</li><li>76.8% reported improvement in abdominal cramping</li><li>48.2% had lesser pain in their joints</li><li>28.6% had less diarrhoea</li></ul>Various other studies have reported an improvement in the Harvey-Bradshaw scale for Crohn’s disease. There has also been significant evidence for the reduced use of various other medications like 5-ASA, corticosteroids and biologics when patients use cannabinoid-based treatments. Cannabinoids help improve one’s mood, reducing anxiety and depression. With an overall improvement in quality of life, social functioning and ability to work, your gut health is likely to be better off as well, building a positive reinforcement cycle.A growing body of research suggests that cannabinoids offer therapeutic benefits for gut health. As our understanding of cannabinoids and their effects on gut health continues to evolve, they may offer new avenues for managing and treating gastrointestinal conditions.Check out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">plant based medicines</a> which contribute to healthy living here.&nbsp;

Our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its role in maintaining overall health has expanded significantly in recent years. Beyond its influence on pain perception, mood regulation, and immune function, emerging research suggests that cannabinoids can have positive effects on gut health. Better gut health is now understood to be a key determinant in disease prevention – not dissimilar to Ayurveda which exhorts the primacy of the gut microbiome in maintaining health. In this article, we will explore the connection between cannabinoids and the gut, shedding light on how these compounds may offer potential therapeutic benefits for various gastrointestinal conditions.

Cannabis has been reported to offer potential benefits in managing various symptoms related to gut health. The cannabinoids found in cannabis, such as but not limited to THC and CBD, have shown promise in reducing abdominal pain and cramping through their analgesic and anti-spasmodic properties. Additionally, cannabis has been observed to reduce nausea and vomiting, making it potentially beneficial for individuals experiencing gastrointestinal distress. Cannabinoids also help in managing symptoms like diarrhoea. Interestingly, cannabis has been known to stimulate appetite, making it potentially useful for individuals struggling with poor appetite.

Looking at it from an Ayurvedic perspective, Vijaya (full-spectrum cannabis extract) is understood to have Deepan (enhances digestion), Pachan (helps in digestion), Rochan (stimulates appetite) and Grahi (that which promotes absorption) characteristics. In other words, cannabis improves appetite, digestion, and absorption/assimilation through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids, and particularly THC, have been shown to stimulate the release of hunger-inducing hormones, such as ghrelin, leading to increased appetite too. Vijaya is also considered a pain reliever and its Grahi properties help alleviate irritable bowel syndrome. Ayurveda underlines that all gut issues are psychosomatic. Considering Vijaya is calming and improves sleep, it helps maintain a stable mind and therefore a comfortable stomach.

The Endocannabinoid System & Cannabinoid Receptors

Developing research on the endocannabinoid system shows our bodies naturally produce neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are chemically similar to endocannabinoids. Both cannabinoids and endocannabinoids interact with receptors located in the brain, nervous system, muscles, fat, digestive tract and more. There are primarily two types of cannabinoid receptors, type 1 or CB1 and type 2 or CB2. Activation of CB1 receptors reduces gut motility, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which are characterized by abnormal bowel movements. Conversely, targeting CB2 receptors may increase gut motility, which could benefit individuals experiencing constipation.

Humans have CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout their bodies. When cannabinoids interact with these receptors in different parts of the body, they have various therapeutic and healing effects. Cannabinoids interacting with CB1 receptors in the oral cavity result in decreased nausea and vomiting, improved appetite and improved pain control. Cannabinoids interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the stomach result in decreased oesophageal sphincter relaxation, delayed gastric emptying and reduced gastric acid secretion. Cannabinoids interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in various parts of the small intestine result in decreased intestinal motility, decreased gut secretion, inhibition of cytokine and chemokine production, induction of apoptosis, T-cell induction, inhibition of cell proliferation, improved epithelial healing and decreased intestinal permeability.

While research is still limited, the studies on the relationship between cannabis and IBS show benefits. Out of 319 patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome observed at the University of Calgary:

Various other studies have reported an improvement in the Harvey-Bradshaw scale for Crohn’s disease. There has also been significant evidence for the reduced use of various other medications like 5-ASA, corticosteroids and biologics when patients use cannabinoid-based treatments. Cannabinoids help improve one’s mood, reducing anxiety and depression. With an overall improvement in quality of life, social functioning and ability to work, your gut health is likely to be better off as well, building a positive reinforcement cycle.

A growing body of research suggests that cannabinoids offer therapeutic benefits for gut health. As our understanding of cannabinoids and their effects on gut health continues to evolve, they may offer new avenues for managing and treating gastrointestinal conditions.

 which contribute to healthy living here. 

Cannabis as a Natural Gut Health Supplement

The Quint- Feature Image

<h2 style="text-align: left" id="are-you-smoking-indica-or-sativa-heres-why-it-matters-and-what-the-difference-between-the-two-is">Are you smoking indica or sativa? Here&apos;s why it matters and what the difference between the two is.</h2><h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-uses-of-cannabis">The Uses of Cannabis</h2>Cannabis. Weed. Ganja. Charas. Hash. Pot. Marijuana. The devil&apos;s lettuce. Jazz Cabbage. It&apos;s known by many names and consumed in many forms, but the one thing most people can safely agree on is that weed&nbsp;is just great&nbsp;has a multitude of uses.Parts of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://fit.thequint.com/alt-remedies/patanajali-studying-medical-marijuana-benefits#read-more">cannabis</a>&nbsp;plant are used to create medicines (CBD oil), hemp-based cloth, and to treat a range of disorders. In India, recreational use of cannabis is strictly prohibited under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. But there are exceptions to this, which we&apos;ll cover in this story.Different strains of cannabis are used to create different medicines and products. The three species of cannabis are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, or Cannabis Ruderalis.These are further categorized into thousands of strains.Today we&apos;ll explain what you should know about these, and we&apos;ll also dispel some common myths and misconceptions around the different types of marijuana.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-history-of-indica-and-sativa">The History of Indica and Sativa</h2>&nbsp;In 1753, botanist Carl Linnaeus, in his book,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5531363/">Species Plantarum</a>, which documented every known species of plant at the time, identified marijuana as JUST one species of plant - Cannabis sativa. There were no two strains, it was just the one type, according to him.Cannabis indica was discovered by biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785, when he was given marijuana specimens from India.On the basis of physical characteristics like the thickness of the plant&apos;s bark, the shape of leaves, and the height of the plant, Lamarck felt that this plant should be categorized differently from Cannabis sativa. Thus, he coined the species Cannabis indica.&quot;They categorized them into two types back then because hemp was an industrial resource - for fibre and medicine alike. Hemp and cannabis were often used interchangeably. The amount of hemp fibre you&apos;d get from indica and sativa would vary because they&apos;re both different sizes. These categories served a purely economic purpose back then.&quot;Raghav Priyadarshi, CEO, Savikalpa&nbsp;At some point in the history of marijuana&apos;s use, this classification which was based on appearance and economics extended to also mean different effects that each strain had.Check out a vast variety of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">plant based medicine here</a>.

Are you smoking indica or sativa? Here's why it matters and what the difference between the two is.

Cannabis. Weed. Ganja. Charas. Hash. Pot. Marijuana. The devil's lettuce. Jazz Cabbage. It's known by many names and consumed in many forms, but the one thing most people can safely agree on is that weed is just great has a multitude of uses.

 plant are used to create medicines (CBD oil), hemp-based cloth, and to treat a range of disorders. In India, recreational use of cannabis is strictly prohibited under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. But there are exceptions to this, which we'll cover in this story.

Different strains of cannabis are used to create different medicines and products. The three species of cannabis are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, or Cannabis Ruderalis.

These are further categorized into thousands of strains.

Today we'll explain what you should know about these, and we'll also dispel some common myths and misconceptions around the different types of marijuana.

 In 1753, botanist Carl Linnaeus, in his book, 

, which documented every known species of plant at the time, identified marijuana as JUST one species of plant - Cannabis sativa. There were no two strains, it was just the one type, according to him.

Cannabis indica was discovered by biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785, when he was given marijuana specimens from India.

On the basis of physical characteristics like the thickness of the plant's bark, the shape of leaves, and the height of the plant, Lamarck felt that this plant should be categorized differently from Cannabis sativa. Thus, he coined the species Cannabis indica.

"They categorized them into two types back then because hemp was an industrial resource - for fibre and medicine alike. Hemp and cannabis were often used interchangeably. The amount of hemp fibre you'd get from indica and sativa would vary because they're both different sizes. These categories served a purely economic purpose back then."

At some point in the history of marijuana's use, this classification which was based on appearance and economics extended to also mean different effects that each strain had.

Sativa vs. Indica - Understanding Differences in Cannabis

Use of Cannabis in Egypt feature image

Cannabis, in all its forms, has played an important role in many societies across all corners of the globe for millennia. Let’s take a trip through Egyptian history.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="a-background-of-cannabis-in-ancient-egypt">A Background of Cannabis in Ancient Egypt</h2>In Egypt, medical cannabis use goes back for millennia.And while many different early cultures cultivated cannabis, the ancient Egyptians exemplified a truly holistic use of the plant. It’s even possible that cannabis — Egyptian hieroglyphs called it shemshemet — became popular before the great pyramids were built.Egypt’s historical use of shemshemet appears twofold. On one hand hemp may have been used for fiber and textile; on the other hand, the more psychoactive components of cannabis may have been used medicinally. Though many sources today appear authoritative in their claims that the ancient Egyptians used hemp for this and cannabis for that, a closer inspection of the evidence is needed.Let’s take a trip back through Egyptian history, beginning around the year 3,000 BC.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="marijuana-hints-in-historical-egyptian-records">Marijuana Hints in Historical Egyptian Records</h2><img height="768" width="1200" class="wp-image-25840 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865284917_shutterstock_1780108154-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=768&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq8r5j003hulnwpvsqhetz">Luxor, Egypt: KV9, Kings’ Valley No. 9, Tomb of Memnon, tomb of the pharaohs from the 20th dynasty: Ramses V and Ramses VI (Shutterstock)While the exact timeline is less than crystal clear, cannabis was likely used in ancient Egypt as many as 5,000 years ago. Some speculate that depictions of the Egyptian Goddess of writing, Sheshat, are brimming with cannabis-inspired themes. In many paintings, she’s shown with a star-shaped leaf atop her head and a fibrous rope in her hand. Was Sheshat’s creative ability courtesy of some help from hemp? It’s a fun theory, but let’s move on to more evidence-based examples.First, it’s important to understand the context in which Egyptian medicine found itself. The culture’s understanding of the human body was far ahead of its time, and, relatively speaking, extraordinarily advanced. Although the ancient Egyptians preceded Pasteur’s germ theory by thousands of years, they nonetheless placed a great value on cleanliness and sanitation. And customs like embalming added to the Egyptian’s understanding of how the human body worked.This same medical knowledge lent itself to the extensive use of medicinal plants. At first, this usage blurred the lines — merged them, even — between science and religion. As <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ancient.eu/Egyptian_Medicine/">Egyptologist Barbara Watterson</a> notes, “the earliest ‘doctor’ was a magician, for the Egyptians believed that disease and sickness were caused by an evil force entering the body.” Thankfully, plant-based incantations seemed to be a perfect cure.Soon enough, cannabis was discovered as among the best and most powerful of these plant-based preparations. Its dual psychotropic and healing properties likely made cannabis popular among the dual doctor-magicians of ancient times. And while it’s unclear exactly when cannabis use became mainstream, the plant’s residue has been found in Egyptian artifacts dating back to more than 4,000 years ago.Around 2,000 BCE, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6126750_History_of_Cannabis_and_Its_Preparations_in_Saga_Science_and_Sobriquet">cannabis salves were used</a> to treat eye sores and glaucoma. Today science has proven what the ancient Egyptians learned through centuries of experience: that cannabis is a potent anti-inflammatory which <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224386/">reduces intraocular pressure</a>. Another Egyptologist, Lise Manniche, notes in her book An Ancient Egyptian Herbal that several texts dating back to the 18th century BCE encouraged readers to “plant medicinal cannabis.”<h2 style="text-align: left" id="cannabis-referenced-in-ancient-scrolls">Cannabis Referenced In Ancient Scrolls</h2><img height="1269" width="1200" class="wp-image-25848 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865286635_shutterstock_1150431401-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=508&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq8shf003iulnw8x2zb1zi">Egyptian papyrus (shutterstock)It’s now fairly common knowledge that Egypt was a pioneer in the development of papyrus and parchment papers. With these scrolls came the culture’s ability to write and document — and our ability to take a glimpse into their world. Papyri covering everything from legal topics to mythological tales to medical records have been found, and naturally, the medical papyri sometimes mention cannabis.The Ramesseum Papyri | According to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA10759-4">The British Museum</a>, the Ramesseum Papyri “have been described as the ‘most precious single find of papyri’ from pharaonic Egypt.” As one of the oldest medical records ever discovered (circa ~ 1750 BCE), it’s likely these tales reflect a cumulative buildup of the healing techniques of even earlier generations.The Ramesseum Papyri get their name from their origin: the ancient city of Ramesseum. Researchers have uncovered countless other gems from this Ramesses II-built city, nearly all of which points to the era’s educational prowess.The Papyri themselves point to this, too. They include information about childhood illness, anatomy, recovery from volcano-induced injuries, and the birthing process. Plate A26 of the Ramesseum III Papyrus describes this treatment for the eyes: “celery, cannabis is ground and left in the dew overnight. Both eyes of the patient are to be washed with it in the morning.” Could this have been an effective early THCA therapy?The Ebers Papyri | This remarkable collection of papyrus scrolls is the world’s oldest complete medical book. Written around 1500 BC, it describes its era’s most popular medicinal remedies. The Ebers Papyri gets its name from botanist George Ebers, who obtained it in the late 1800s. Like many others in his field, Ebers was understandably interested in gleaning whatever he could from the ancients. And with <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/papyrus.html">700 medical and magical formulas</a> spanning 110 pages, it seems there’s a lot to glean.A formula for feminine health is as follows:Formula No. 821: Shemshemet (i.e., cannabis) was to be “ground in honey; introduced into her vagina to cool the uterus and eliminate its heat.”Another cannabis-based formula for “a painful finger or toe” is effective enough that physicians are instructed to encourage their patients — “you must say to this patient: ‘A problem that I can treat’.”Formula No. 821: “honey: 1/4; ochre 1/64; cannabis: 1/32; hedjou resin: 1/32, ibou plant: 1/32. Prepare as for the preceding, and dress [the affected area] with it.”The Berlin Papyri | This slightly newer scroll (circa ~1,300 BCE) points towards the evolution of cannabis as medicine. It wasn’t just good for eye problems, feminine issues, or inflamed extremities — cannabis could be used to treat fever and inflammation too.The papyri’s 81st formula shows that cannabis was prescribed as an “ointment to prepare for driving away the fever.” Today, modern medicine has made these same anti-fever, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/">anti-inflammatory qualities</a> abundantly clear.<img height="416" width="1200" class="wp-image-800 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865288126_pasted-image-0-30.png?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8tj6003julnwizcpkqqa">The Chester Beatty Papyri | Also written around 1,300 BC is the Chester Beatty papyri. This artifact is geared mostly towards treating colorectal diseases. It likely mentions shemshemet at least twice and prescribes the plant’s crushed seeds as a valuable cure. There are even instructions on the use of cannabis suppositories for digestive purposes.Overall, examples of cannabis use within the papyri records are somewhat sparse. But the ones that are present are also very telling. As Dr. Ethan Russo quotes in a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6126750_History_of_Cannabis_and_Its_Preparations_in_Saga_Science_and_Sobriquet">2007 publication</a> in the Journal of Chemistry and Biodiversity, “as a drug, it [cannabis] has remained in active use ever since pharaonic times. It does not appear very often in the medical papyri, but it was administered by mouth, rectum, vagina, bandaged to the skin, applied to the eyes and by fumigation.”<h2 style="text-align: left" id="cannabis-for-the-pharaohs-cannabis-for-all">Cannabis for the Pharaohs, Cannabis for All</h2><img height="768" width="1200" class="wp-image-25844 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865289571_shutterstock_581069161-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;fit=scale&amp;h=768&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60&amp;w=1024&amp;wpsize=large" alt="cm7qq8ujw003kulnwb8vj0ow8">The Front of the Abu Simbel Temple, Aswan, Egypt (Shutterstock)Egyptian pharaohs may have used cannabis for more ceremonial purposes, too. The remains of Ramses the Great (Pharao in 1213 BCE) contain traces of cannabis, as do the remains of other mummified Egyptians. In the 1990s a series of studies from <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00199392#page-2">Nerliche</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00322236#page-1">Parsche</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01140178?LI=true">Balabanova</a> reported this surprising find. Nerliche’s study noted that mummies had a significant deposition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and concluded that this was likely obtained through cannabis smoke. As you might imagine, these studies were very controversial when they first came out.As time went on Egyptian use of medical cannabis continued to develop. By around 1,000 BC, it seems as though even Egypt’s common people had caught on to the plant’s potential benefits. Unfortunately, though, there is relatively less historical data on cannabis use during this time period.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="cannabis-as-a-medical-remedy">Cannabis as a medical remedy?</h2>Could the ancient Egyptian’s understanding of cannabis have trickled down to adeptness in other areas related to health and the body? Perhaps. In his epic work The Odyssey, Homer notes that “everyone in Egypt is a skilled Physician”. Everyone, in this case, even <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ancient.eu/article/49/female-physicians-in-ancient-egypt/">included women</a> — which was a very rare allowance in those times. Indeed, some of Egypt’s first doctors were women prized for their caregiving; other women were skilled as midwives.A final papyrus-written record surfaced around 200 AD: the Vienna Papyri. This one appears to mention cannabis as a treatment for tumors, ear pain, and fevers. In some instances, the Vienna papyri recommend using acacia and cannabis in conjunction. Though not truly ancient, this one distills down information gathered from prior time periods.Translation difficulties make coming to a full knowledge of the Egyptian’s medical cannabis use challenging, though researchers like <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfr65rYccz0&amp;t=1169s">Dr. Greg Gerdeman</a> agree that ancient mentions of shemshemet most definitely refer to cannabis. What can be said with full confidence is that the ancient Egyptians were leaders in the medical world of their era — and they attained this leadership through devotion to medicinal plants like cannabis.It’s likely that practical lessons can be learned from their devotion, too. Perhaps Dr. Russo’s review said it best: “information gleaned from the history of cannabis administration in its various forms may provide useful points of departure for research.” In the future, the wisdom of the ancient Egyptians may truly come full circle.Explore <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">plant based medicine here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

Cannabis, in all its forms, has played an important role in many societies across all corners of the globe for millennia. Let’s take a trip through Egyptian history.

A Background of Cannabis in Ancient Egypt

In Egypt, medical cannabis use goes back for millennia.

And while many different early cultures cultivated cannabis, the ancient Egyptians exemplified a truly holistic use of the plant. It’s even possible that cannabis — Egyptian hieroglyphs called it 

 — became popular before the great pyramids were built.

Egypt’s historical use of shemshemet appears twofold. On one hand hemp may have been used for fiber and textile; on the other hand, the more psychoactive components of cannabis may have been used medicinally. Though many sources today appear authoritative in their claims that the ancient Egyptians used hemp for 

, a closer inspection of the evidence is needed.

Let’s take a trip back through Egyptian history, beginning around the year 3,000 BC.

Marijuana Hints in Historical Egyptian Records

Luxor, Egypt: KV9, Kings’ Valley No. 9, Tomb of Memnon, tomb of the pharaohs from the 20th dynasty: Ramses V and Ramses VI (Shutterstock)

While the exact timeline is less than crystal clear, cannabis was likely used in ancient Egypt as many as

5,000 years ago. Some speculate that depictions of the Egyptian Goddess of writing, 

, are brimming with cannabis-inspired themes. In many paintings, she’s shown with a star-shaped leaf atop her head and a fibrous rope in her hand. Was Sheshat’s creative ability courtesy of some help from hemp? It’s a fun theory, but let’s move on to more evidence-based examples.

First, it’s important to understand the context in which Egyptian medicine found itself. The culture’s understanding of the human body was far ahead of its time, and, relatively speaking, extraordinarily advanced. Although the ancient Egyptians preceded Pasteur’s germ theory by thousands of years, they nonetheless placed a great value on cleanliness and sanitation. And customs like embalming added to the Egyptian’s understanding of how the human body worked.

This same medical knowledge lent itself to the extensive use of medicinal plants. At first, this usage blurred the lines — merged them, even — between science and religion. As 

 notes, “the earliest ‘doctor’ was a magician, for the Egyptians believed that disease and sickness were caused by an evil force entering the body.” Thankfully, plant-based incantations seemed to be a perfect cure.

Soon enough, cannabis was discovered as among the best and most powerful of these plant-based preparations. Its dual psychotropic and healing properties likely made cannabis popular among the dual doctor-magicians of ancient times. And while it’s unclear exactly when cannabis use became mainstream, the plant’s residue has been found in Egyptian artifacts dating back to more than 4,000 years ago.

 to treat eye sores and glaucoma. Today science has proven what the ancient Egyptians learned through centuries of experience: that cannabis is a potent anti-inflammatory which 

. Another Egyptologist, Lise Manniche, notes in her book 

 that several texts dating back to the 18th century BCE encouraged readers to “plant medicinal cannabis.”

It’s now fairly common knowledge that Egypt was a pioneer in the development of papyrus and parchment papers. With these scrolls came the culture’s ability to write and document — and our ability to take a glimpse into their world. Papyri covering everything from legal topics to mythological tales to medical records have been found, and naturally, the medical papyri sometimes mention cannabis.

, the Ramesseum Papyri “have been described as the ‘most precious single find of papyri’ from pharaonic Egypt.” As one of the oldest medical records ever discovered (circa ~ 1750 BCE), it’s likely these tales reflect a cumulative buildup of the healing techniques of 

The Ramesseum Papyri get their name from their origin: the ancient city of Ramesseum. Researchers have uncovered countless other gems from this Ramesses II-built city, nearly all of which points to the era’s educational prowess.

The Papyri themselves point to this, too. They include information about childhood illness, anatomy, recovery from volcano-induced injuries, and the birthing process. Plate A26 of the Ramesseum III Papyrus describes this treatment for the eyes: “celery, cannabis is ground and left in the dew overnight. Both eyes of the patient are to be washed with it in the morning.” Could this have been an effective early THCA therapy?

This remarkable collection of papyrus scrolls is the world’s oldest 

medical book. Written around 1500 BC, it describes its era’s most popular medicinal remedies. The Ebers Papyri gets its name from botanist George Ebers, who obtained it in the late 1800s. Like many others in his field, Ebers was understandably interested in gleaning whatever he could from the ancients. And with 

A formula for feminine health is as follows:

Shemshemet (i.e., cannabis) was to be “ground in honey; introduced into her vagina to cool the uterus and eliminate its heat.”

Another cannabis-based formula for “a painful finger or toe” is effective enough that physicians are instructed to encourage their patients — “you must say to this patient: ‘A problem that I can treat’.”

honey: 1/4; ochre 1/64; cannabis: 1/32; hedjou resin: 1/32, ibou plant: 1/32. Prepare as for the preceding, and dress [the affected area] with it.”

This slightly newer scroll (circa ~1,300 BCE) points towards the evolution of cannabis as medicine. It wasn’t just good for eye problems, feminine issues, or inflamed extremities — cannabis could be used to treat fever and inflammation too.

The papyri’s 81st formula shows that cannabis was prescribed as an “ointment to prepare for driving away the fever.” Today, modern medicine has made these same anti-fever, 

Also written around 1,300 BC is the Chester Beatty papyri. This artifact is geared mostly towards treating colorectal diseases. It likely mentions 

at least twice and prescribes the plant’s crushed seeds as a valuable cure. There are even instructions on the use of cannabis suppositories for digestive purposes.

Overall, examples of cannabis use within the papyri records are somewhat sparse. But the ones that are present are also very telling. As Dr. Ethan Russo quotes in a 

 in the Journal of Chemistry and Biodiversity, “as a drug, it [cannabis] has remained in active use ever since pharaonic times. It does not appear very often in the medical papyri, but it was administered by mouth, rectum, vagina, bandaged to the skin, applied to the eyes and by fumigation.”

Cannabis for the Pharaohs, Cannabis for All

The Front of the Abu Simbel Temple, Aswan, Egypt (Shutterstock)

Egyptian pharaohs may have used cannabis for more ceremonial purposes, too. The remains of Ramses the Great (Pharao in 1213 BCE) contain traces of cannabis, as do the remains of other mummified Egyptians. In the 1990s a series of studies from 

 reported this surprising find. Nerliche’s study noted that mummies had a significant deposition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and concluded that this was likely obtained through cannabis smoke. As you might imagine, these studies were very controversial when they first came out.

As time went on Egyptian use of medical cannabis continued to develop. By around 1,000 BC, it seems as though even Egypt’s common people had caught on to the plant’s potential benefits. Unfortunately, though, there is relatively less historical data on cannabis use during this time period.

Could the ancient Egyptian’s understanding of cannabis have trickled down to adeptness in other areas related to health and the body? Perhaps. In his epic work 

, Homer notes that “everyone in Egypt is a skilled Physician”. Everyone, in this case, even 

 — which was a very rare allowance in those times. Indeed, some of Egypt’s first doctors were women prized for their caregiving; other women were skilled as midwives.

A final papyrus-written record surfaced around 200 AD: the Vienna Papyri. This one appears to mention cannabis as a treatment for tumors, ear pain, and fevers. In some instances, the Vienna papyri recommend using acacia and cannabis in conjunction. Though not truly ancient, this one distills down information gathered from prior time periods.

Translation difficulties make coming to a full knowledge of the Egyptian’s medical cannabis use challenging, though researchers like 

most definitely refer to cannabis. What can be said with full confidence is that the ancient Egyptians were leaders in the medical world of their era — and they attained this leadership through devotion to medicinal plants like cannabis.

It’s likely that practical lessons can be learned from their devotion, too. Perhaps Dr. Russo’s review said it best: “information gleaned from the history of cannabis administration in its various forms may provide useful points of departure for research.” In the future, the wisdom of the ancient Egyptians may truly come full circle.

This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

Cannabis as Ancient Egyptian Medicine

Woman holding her neck

With hundreds of active compounds in cannabis, cannabis has a multiplicity of effects on the human body, including some that are less known and fascinating, such as THC&apos;s impact on the body. Read on...If you ever stop and think about it, the human body is a marvel of nature and evolution that defies all superlatives. Now imagine there was a system that ran through the microscopic constellation that makes up our physical form — and you could modulate it using cannabis. If that strikes you as strange, then take a minute to get acquainted with your body’s endocannabinoid system and its relationship with cannabis and the body.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system">What is the endocannabinoid system?</h2>First discovered by scientists in the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating all types of functions of the human body. There are two main receptors of the ECS, known as CB1 and CB2. These can modulate all types of systems in the body, and one of the ways they can be affected is through the use of cannabis-based compounds called cannabinoids (“phytocannabinoids”), which produces cannabis&apos;s effects.&nbsp;Let’s take a look at seven of the main body functions and systems that the ECS plays a key role in.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="1-memory-and-learning">1. Memory and learning</h2>Cannabis is well-known for the cannabis effects it can have on short-term memory, but it’s more complicated than that. The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activates CB1, which is found throughout the brain, including in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. In addition, the CB1 receptor is responsible for what’s known as extinction learning, the process which allows new information to overwrite old memories — including traumatic ones. This is one of the reasons that the relationship between cannabis and the body can be an effective treatment for PTSD.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="2-appetite-regulation">2. Appetite regulation</h2><img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19915 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865293669_woman-eating-pastries-at-cafe.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8xod003oulnwvi7t0b3a">(Marina Boyarkina/123rf)Studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors play an essential role in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285050/">regulating food intake</a>&nbsp;And while everyone knows the stereotype of the pot smoker feasting on snack foods during a serious case of the munchies because of THC&apos;s impact on the body, there’s also strong evidence that the ECS could help manage obesity and eating disorders. In addition, research has found that cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="3-thermoregulation">3. Thermoregulation</h2>Behind the scenes, without us ever knowing, our bodies maintain a core temperature despite different external environmental temperatures and factors. The ECS plays a role in thermoregulation as well, and can raise the core temperature of the human body in order to fight off infection. Thermoregulation can also protect against strokes, in addition to viral and bacterial infection, showing the impact of cannabis and the body.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="4-female-reproductive-processes">4. Female reproductive processes</h2>&nbsp;<img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19922 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865294908_woman-looking-at-pregnancy-test-fertility.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8yqs003pulnwa8ri9eyp">(Dmytro/123rf)The ECS plays an important and complex role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions. Some scientific evidence has shown that cannabis has the potential to reduce female fertility by disrupting the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, potentially delay the ovulation cycle or prevent it altogether. At the same time, ECS involvement in female reproduction suggests modulation of the endocannabinoid system is essential for <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1517/14728222.2015.1062878">essential for reproductive success</a>.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="5-immune-system-function">5. Immune system function</h2><img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19925 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865296212_man-in-bed-with-a-cold-sick.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq8zpc003qulnwsaulbgwv">(nuclearlily/123rf)The ECS is generally considered a “gatekeeper” for the immune system, largely through its ability to suppress the immune system. This is one reason that cannabis can be effective in treating auto-immune conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. This effect is also a reason that some cannabis products are being studied as potential treatments to stave off the “cytokine storm” over-reaction of the immune system, including in patients with COVID-19, emphasizing a positive relationship between cannabis and the body.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="6-sleep-and-sleep-cycles">6. Sleep and sleep cycles</h2><img height="486" width="1200" class="wp-image-19928 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865297585_lying-awake-in-bed-sleep-insomnia.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq90rz003rulnwqhuxewqg">(stockme/123rf)Cannabis is a popular treatment for insomnia, and research has shown that the <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.med.upenn.edu/cbti/assets/user-content/documents/s11920-017-0775-9.pdf">activation of CB1 receptors can induce sleep </a>in laboratory settings. At the same time, cannabis use can actually reduce REM sleep — the phase of sleep during which dreams happen, highlighting the impact of cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids, on sleep and sleep cycles.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="7-pain-perception">7. Pain perception</h2><img height="485" width="1200" class="wp-image-19931 lazyload" src="https://gglkfcubjshidhufqxdn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865298832_woman-hand-joint-pain-arthritis.jpg?auto=compress%252Cformat&amp;crop=faces%252Ccenter&amp;ixlib=php-3.3.1&amp;q=60" alt="cm7qq91mw003sulnwxb4td5u0">(serezniy/123rf)Chronic pain is the most common reason patients are prescribed medical marijuana. This is because the ECS is one of the main systems responsible for the regulation of pain. ECS receptors are found in various parts of the peripheral and central nervous system, and nearly every part of the body’s pain pathway. Read more about the endocannabinoid system and how cannabis affects it to understand the full spectrum of the benefits and risks of cannabis.Explore a vast range of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">cannabinoid medicines here</a>.&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

With hundreds of active compounds in cannabis, cannabis has a multiplicity of 

effects on the human body, including some that are less known and fascinating, such as THC's impact on the body. Read on...

If you ever stop and think about it, the human body is a marvel of nature and evolution that defies all superlatives. Now imagine there was a system that ran through the microscopic constellation that makes up our physical form — and you could modulate it using cannabis. If that strikes you as strange, then take a minute to get acquainted with your body’s endocannabinoid system and its relationship with cannabis and the body.

First discovered by scientists in the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating all types of functions of the human body. There are two main receptors of the ECS, known as CB1 and CB2. These can modulate all types of systems in the body, and one of the ways they can be affected is through the use of cannabis-based compounds called cannabinoids (“phytocannabinoids”), which produces cannabis's effects. 

Let’s take a look at seven of the main body functions and systems that the ECS plays a key role in.

Cannabis is well-known for the cannabis effects it can have on short-term memory, but it’s more complicated than that. The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activates CB1, which is found throughout the brain, including in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. In addition, the CB1 receptor is responsible for what’s known as extinction learning, the process which allows new information to overwrite old memories — including traumatic ones. This is one of the reasons that the relationship between cannabis and the body can be an effective treatment for PTSD.

Studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors play an essential role in 

 And while everyone knows the stereotype of the pot smoker feasting on snack foods during a serious case of the munchies because of THC's impact on the body, there’s also strong evidence that the ECS could help manage obesity and eating disorders. In addition, research has found that cannabis users had significantly lower BMIs and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users.

Behind the scenes, without us ever knowing, our bodies maintain a core temperature despite different external environmental temperatures and factors. The ECS plays a role in thermoregulation as well, and can raise the core temperature of the human body in order to fight off infection. Thermoregulation can also protect against strokes, in addition to viral and bacterial infection, showing the impact of cannabis and the body.

The ECS plays an important and complex role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions. Some scientific evidence has shown that cannabis has the potential to reduce female fertility by disrupting the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, potentially delay the ovulation cycle or prevent it altogether. At the same time, ECS involvement in female reproduction suggests modulation of the endocannabinoid system is essential for 

The ECS is generally considered a “gatekeeper” for the immune system, largely through its ability to suppress the immune system. This is one reason that cannabis can be effective in treating auto-immune conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. This effect is also a reason that some cannabis products are being studied as potential treatments to stave off the “cytokine storm” over-reaction of the immune system, including in patients with COVID-19, emphasizing a positive relationship between cannabis and the body.

Cannabis is a popular treatment for insomnia, and research has shown that the 

activation of CB1 receptors can induce sleep 

in laboratory settings. At the same time, cannabis use can actually reduce REM sleep — the phase of sleep during which dreams happen, highlighting the impact of cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids, on sleep and sleep cycles.