The Science Behind More Potent THC
Social media trending is picking up related to the discoveries of four new cannabinoids by Italian scientists using a low-THC cannabis variety called FM2, which is grown by Italy’s military. The discovery of these cannabinoids is thanks to advancements in mass spectrometry, a tool scientist uses to weigh the mass of atoms and identify compounds.
If you watch enough crime stories on TV you have seen Pauley Perrette, the forensic scientist on NCIS, insert unknown substances into fancy machines, called spectrometers. The machine spits out a report that looks like an abnormal EKG, identifying the unknown chemicals.
Through this biotechnology, the scientists were able to isolate in test tubes new cannabino-varinoids (three-carbon-long alkyl chain) of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabino-orcinoids (a single -CH3 group) or cannabinolol (CBD). Phytocannabinoids with a different number of carbon atoms on the side chain are known as varinoids (with three carbon atoms), such as cannabidivarin (CBDV) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THC).
The scientists chose the name “cannabidiphorol” (CBDP) and “tetrahydrocannabiphorol” (THCP), respectively. The suffix “-phorol” comes from the common name for the chemical five chain of these two new phytocannabinoids. Earlier last year, the same Italian research team announced the discovery of two other previously unknown cannabinoids: CBDB and THCB. The B stands for a benzochromenome.
Why is this important?
Because Italian scientists have synthesized in test tubes substances that have seven hydrogen atoms. No one has identified molecules on the marijuana plant with seven hydrogen atoms.
Cannabis flowers are little factories that produce over 150 cannabinoids the molecules responsible for reacting to our endocannabinoid system and relieving our numerous medical conditions. What is useful about these discoveries could explain some of the variability in getting an effective response. Why smoking different marijuana blends can give different medicinal effects. The amounts of THCP CBDP THCB and CBDB found in the study were very low and difficult to specially breed unless grown in a vat of yeast. Which the Italian scientist have suggested. How blasphemous. For now, these new varinoids usefulness is still unknown.
Do Get to Excited Yet
I wouldn’t get too excited about these discoveries. First, they are using a military grade plant called FM2. Second, they are synthesized in a test tube. The pharmaceutical companies are giddy about mass producing cannabis in test tubes once cannabis becomes federally legal. We users know from experience with dronabinol (Marinol), synthetics do not work. Dr. Ethan Russo discovered the entourage effect of the sacred plant to be superior to synthetics.
Ruth Hill is a retired certified nurse with a BSN from University of Connecticut and a Master of Teaching from Teachers College Columbia University. With over 50 years experience she discovered using cannabis and replaced 15 years of taking opiods to treat her chronic back condition with medical cannabis. More info on Nurse Hill and Holistic Caring here.