2-Arachidonoylglycerol (commonly known as 2-AG) is a cannabinoid naturally found in the human body. It is found in high concentrations in the central nervous system. 2-AG activates cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, in addition to TRPV1 channels and GABAA receptors. These receptors are important in anxiety, pain, and mood pathways.
A small amount of a substance added to a medicine to help as a preservative, improve tase or acceptability.
An adverse event is any unwanted or potentially harmful occurrence that happens during medical treatment. This is different from a side effect, which is directly caused by a specific drug or treatment.
Adverse events aren’t always linked to the treatment itself — they include any unexpected issue that arises while treatment is ongoing, regardless of the cause.
For medical cannabis patients, adverse events may happen because of interactions with other medications, or as part of the underlying health condition being treated. Some commonly reported adverse events include dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, or short-term effects on memory and concentration.
Alcohol extraction removes chemicals from the cannabis plant. The cannabis is soaked in alcohol which has been chilled to cold temperatures. This helps to draw the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids out of the plant. The alcohol is then evaporated to leave behind an oil containing the necessary compounds to create a medical cannabis product.
Anandamide (ANA) is a cannabinoid naturally found in the human body. It is also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA). Both terms are used interchangeably. Anandamide activates cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, in addition to TRPV1 and TRPM8 channels. These are involved in anxiety, pain, and mood pathways in the brain.
These are medicines that contain CBD and a range of other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids found in the cannabis plant.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. It’s available in over-the-counter wellness products and prescription medicines, each with different regulations and uses.
At Curaleaf Clinic, we can prescribe pharmaceutical-grade CBD tailored to individual needs. To find out if CBD is right for you, register for free today and check your eligibility for a consultation.
Cannabigerol (commonly known as CBG) is one of over 140 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Less is known about its medical effects compared to cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, there is growing evidence to suggest it affect cannabinoid type 1 and type 2 receptors.
Cannabinoid receptors are proteins found naturally on the surface of cells throughout the body. They are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate many processes and keep the body in balance. These receptors respond both to endocannabinoids (cannabinoids made by the body) and to cannabinoids that may be prescribed as a component of medical cannabis.
In cannabis plants, cannabinoids are produced and stored in the trichomes: tiny glands on the surface of the plant’s flowers and leaves. While over 140 cannabinoids have been identified in the cannabis plant, the most widely studied are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Cannabinoids fall into three main categories:
Endocannabinoids: These are produced within the body and act upon cannabinoid receptors, regulating the communications between nerve and immune cells, among others.
Phytocannabinoids: Naturally found in cannabis plants, phytocannabinoids are compounds that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body.
Cannabis flower, sometimes referred to as buds, are part of the cannabis plant. They contain the highest concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, the compounds responsible for the plant’s potential effects, aroma, and flavour.
These active compounds are produced in the trichomes, tiny, crystal-like structures found on the flower’s surface.
In a medical context, cannabis flower is typically prescribed in dried form, known as flos, the latin word for flower.
A cannabis hybrid is a plant created by crossbreeding different types of cannabis. While hybrids often combine traits linked to indica and sativa, years of selective breeding mean most now come from multiple cannabis cultivars and lineages.
Breeders create hybrids to bring together specific traits — such as levels of cannabinoids (like THC or CBD), terpeneprofiles, or how the plant grows.
Today, many medical cannabis products are hybrids, giving both patients and prescribers a wide variety of options.
Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are regulated medicines that contain cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol or a cannabinol derivative. Commonly referred to as medical cannabis, CBMPs don’t include hemp oil or any other products that are not intended for medical use.
CBMPs can be prescribed by specialist doctors and tailored to meet unique patient need. These products must comply with strict safety and quality standards set by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to ensure they are produced to high quality and safety requirements.
A carrier oil is a natural, fat-rich oil used as a solvent for concentrated cannabis extracts to create medical cannabis products to be taken by mouth or held under the tongue. It also helps make the total dose of each cannabinoid easier to measure and absorb into the body.
One of the most common carrier oils is medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT oil), which is typically mild and non-irritating. Carrier oils help deliver active ingredients into the body, reduce the potency of highly concentrated extracts to a usable dose, and help the product last longer by keeping the cannabis ingredients stable and effective.
Controlled drugs are substances regulated by the UK government due to their potential for addiction, misuse, and harm. Their production, supply, possession, storage, and destruction are subject to strict legal controls under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
They are classified into five schedules under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001:
Unlicensed medical cannabis is classed as a Schedule 2 controlled drug and it can only be initiated by a specialist clinician.
A cultivar (short for cultivated variety) is a plant that has been bred by humans to emphasise certain traits, such as flavour, aroma, appearance, or growth characteristics.
In cannabis, cultivars are developed to produce particular combinations of cannabinoids (like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)and cannabidiol (CBD)) and terpene profiles. These differences can influence how the plant is classified and used in medical or commercial settings
Dronabinol is a prescription medicine that contains a synthetic (man-made) form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the main active cannabinoids found in cannabis.
What is Dronabinol Used For?
In the UK, dronabinol may be prescribed to help treat sickness and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, but only when other anti-sickness medicines have not worked.
In some other countries, dronabinol is also used to help stimulate appetite in certain conditions. However, in the UK doctors must follow strict local rules and guidance when prescribing it.
It’s important to note that dronabinol is not the same as medical cannabis flower or oil. It is a single, synthetic form of THC, whereas medical cannabis contains a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Is Dronabinol Synthetic?
Yes. Instead of being taken directly from the cannabis plant, dronabinol is made in a laboratory to copy the effects of natural THC.
An edible is any food product infused with cannabis extracts, such as THC or CBD. THC is only available on prescription in the UK, but you may find CBD gummies, chocolates, baked goods, and beverages on the high-street.
In the United Kingdom, eligible patients may be prescribed medical cannabis pastilles, which are soft tablets to be chewed. Whilst medical cannabis pastilles may look similar to edibles, these are not food products and are treated appropriately like any other medicine. This means they are manufactured to meet strict regulatory guidance to ensure their consistency and safety.
Pastilles are an alternative method of consuming medical cannabis, for patients who cannot tolerate other forms or who are looking for a more discreet option.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors, molecules (called endocannabinoids), and enzymes found throughout the body — including the brain, spinal cord, and gut. Its main role is to help regulate different processes, such as mood, memory, learning, and the body’s response to stress.
The main receptors in the ECS are cannabinoid receptors, called CB1 and CB2. CB1 is predominantly located in the central nervous system, whilst CB2 is predominantly located in the immune system. These are activated by endocannabinoids produced by the human body. These are also the main receptors through which cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, phytocannabinoids, produce effects on the human body.
The ECS provides a regulatory function, helping to maintain balance within the body, known as homeostasis. Studies continue to explore how disruptions in the ECS and this regulation can contribute to certain conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and depression.
The entourage effect is a theory that suggests that the various compounds found in the cannabis plant, may work together to influence or strengthen the overall effects of medical cannabis.
This includes the interaction of cannabinoids such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) with other plant compounds like terpenes and flavonoids.
These are chemicals that are removed from the cannabis plant to make medicinal cannabis. This is usually in the form of an oil that is applied under the tongue.
Extraction is the process of removing one or more compounds from its original source. In medical cannabis, the term extract is used to refer to one or more active compounds removed from the cannabis flower to create a different form of medical cannabis product. These extracts commonly contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD), but also a wide range of minor cannabinoids and terpenes depending on the composition of the original flower. These can then be used to create products such as medical cannabis oils or pastilles.
Various methods are used to extract chemicals from the cannabis plant. Currently, the most common extraction techniques are alcohol (ethanol) extraction and CO2 gas extraction.
