A substantial amount of studies and articles about cannabis compounds have been flowing out of the floodgates. This exuberance of information can make you have a lot of head-scratching moments.  If you’ve dipped your toes in cannabis studies, you understand that THC and CBD is only the entrance of cannabis science. It’s clear that there’s more in depth as cannabis has a complex cannabinoid profile but often great to start with (or revisit) the foundational ones.
近年有大量有關大麻化合物的研究與文章如洪水般湧現，資訊繁多往往令人一頭霧水。若你稍有涉獵大麻研究，便會知道 THC 和 CBD 只是踏入大麻科學的大門口。事實上，大麻的類大麻素結構相當複雜，值得深入探討。但無論如何，從最基礎、最核心的成分開始，始終是最穩陣的選擇。

Here’s The Rundown
概覽

1. What are “Cannabinoids”
   甚麼是「類大麻素」
2. Benefits in general
   一般功效
3. THC
   四氫大麻酚 (THC)
4. How THC works
   THC 的作用原理
5. Ways to consume THC
   THC：作用原理及攝取方式
6. CBD
   大麻二酚 (CBD)
7. How CBD works
   CBD 的作用原理
8. Ways to consumer CBD
   CBD 的攝取方式
9. Myth & Fact
   迷思與真相
   

What Are Cannabinoids

483 compounds include cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, essential fatty acids are found in cannabis plants.  So far, 113 cannabinoids have been identified and they are divided into 10 subclasses, THC and CBD as the most common and widely used cannabinoids on the market.
When looking at full cannabinoid profile, it goes from  THC, CBD, to CBDa, CBN, THCa, CBG; which also include their interactions with receptors like TRPV1, 5-HT1A, PPARS, and GPR55 instead of merely CB1 and CB2.
大麻植物中共發現約 483 種化合物，包括類大麻素、萜烯、類黃酮以及必需脂肪酸。至今已確認 113 種類大麻素，分為 10 個亞類，其中以 THC 和 CBD 最為常見，亦是市場上最廣泛使用的類大麻素。若從完整的類大麻素譜來看，除了 THC 與 CBD，還包括 CBDa、CBN、THCa、CBG 等成分；它們與 TRPV1、5-HT1A、PPARs、GPR55 等受體也有互動，而不僅僅是與 CB1、CB2 受體相關。

Benefits In General
一般益處

Cannabinoids function as part of the body’s complex network - Endocannabinoid System (ECS); This system helps the body maintain healthy biological balance, which can include  regulating everything from your mood, memory, the immune system, pain signalling, and inflammatory response (from our previous article).
類大麻素是人體是內源性大麻素系統（ECS） 的一部分。這是一個複雜的網絡，能幫助身體維持健康的生物平衡，包括調節情緒、記憶、免疫系統、痛覺訊號與發炎反應（見我們先前的文章）。

According to the National Cancer Institute, cannabinoids may be useful in treating the side effects of cancer treatment.  One of the known synthetic THC medicines made by a pharmaceutical company is called Marinol. It’s an FDA-approved medication with the active ingredient, dronabinol, aimed to treat side effects specific to chemotherapy. And another FDA-approved CBD drug made by a pharmaceutical company, used to treat Epilepsy, is called Epidiolex.
根據 美國國家癌症研究所，類大麻素或可用於治療癌症療程的副作用。已知的藥用例子包括：

• Marinol：一種由藥廠製造的人工合成 THC 藥物，活性成分為 dronabinol，已獲 FDA 核准，用於緩解化療相關副作用。
• Epidiolex：另一種由藥廠生產的藥用 CBD，已獲 FDA 核准，用於治療癲癇。

Other possible benefits of natural cannabinoids from cannabis plants include: anti-inflammatory activity, blocking cell growth, preventing the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors, antiviral activity, pain relief, and relieving muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS). They’ve also been used to reduce opioid and heroin addictions.
天然來源的大麻素亦有潛在功效，例如：抗發炎、抑制細胞增生、阻止腫瘤血管生成、抗病毒、止痛、舒緩多發性硬化症（MS）引起的肌肉痙攣，甚至可用於 減低鴉片與海洛因成癮。

THC
四氫大麻酚

THC (or Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, a super mouthful) is the cannabinoid that gives you euphoric “high” effects. However, did you know THC has been used alongside chemotherapy as well as HIV treatments?  That means THC isn’t as rebellious as its infamous reputation.
THC also has strong anti-depressant effects to help relaxation.  It stimulates the brain cells and helps grow new ones just like CBD. Its’ therapeutic benefits are known for pain relief, appetite stimulation with HIV treatments, as well as anti-nausea properties for chemotherapy patients.
THC（全名 Δ9-四氫大麻酚，名字真的夠繞口）是最廣為人知、帶來「愉悅亢奮感（high）」的大麻素。不過你可知道，THC 其實已被應用於 化療 及 愛滋病治療？這代表 THC 並不像它惡名昭彰的形象般「叛逆」。

That explains why cannabis isn’t only for recreational use and a good pairing with TV shows, and why the medical industry sees the values of THC for medicinal purposes.  Both cannabis activists and the medical doctors who have worked with cannabis are side by side for legalizing this medicinal plant in some countries.
THC 亦具有強效的 抗抑鬱作用，能幫助放鬆。它會刺激腦細胞的活動，並像 CBD 一樣有助於 新生腦細胞。其治療功效包括：止痛、在愛滋病治療中促進食慾、為化療病人舒緩噁心反應。這正解釋了大麻不僅僅是「娛樂用途」或搭配電視節目的伴侶，而是為何醫學界亦認同 THC 的藥用價值。事實上，大麻倡議者與某些國家的臨床醫師 都站在同一陣線，為這株藥用植物合法化而努力。

How THC Works
四氫大麻酚如何運作

THC binds to the CB1 receptors. This is how THC produces its therapeutic effects as well as its euphoric, psychotropic effects.
THC 會與 CB1 受體 結合。這正是它同時產生 治療作用 與 愉悅精神效應 的原因。

Ways To Consume THC
攝取四氫大麻酚的方式

There are more than 24 ways to consume THC, such as topical, ingestibles, edibles, Transdermal patches, vaping, dabbing, smoking, bath soaks, etc.
THC 的攝取方式超過 24 種，包括：外用製劑、口服補充品、食用品、透皮貼片、電子煙、濃縮吸入、傳統燃燒吸食、藥浴 等等。

However, THC ingestibles have a higher chance to deliver the “effect” to the user for as long as 2 weeks.  It’s due to conversion of THC to 11-hydroxy-THC after it’s been metabolized by the body.
其中 口服攝取 的 THC 特別容易產生較長效的作用，有時甚至可持續 長達兩週。這是因為 THC 在人體代謝後會轉化為 11-羥基-THC，使效應延長。

CBD
大麻二酚

After THC, here comes CBD.
It is the second most abundant cannabinoid and is generally considered to be non-psychotropic.  CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring chemical compound, or ‘cannabinoid’, found in Cannabis Sativa (Hemp plants) and Cannabis Indica (Marijuana plants).
繼 THC 之後，便是 CBD（大麻二酚）。它是大麻植物中第二多見的大麻素，通常被視為 非精神活性 的成分。CBD 是一種天然存在的化學化合物（大麻素），可從 大麻屬植物 中萃取，包括 工業大麻（Cannabis Sativa）與 藥用大麻（Cannabis Indica）。

CBD in particular, benefit people with ASD, neuropathic pain, mood or anxiety, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease (IBD), MS, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzheimer’s.
CBD 特別有益於患有 自閉症譜系障礙（ASD）、神經性疼痛、情緒或焦慮問題、關節炎、腸易激綜合症（IBS）、克隆氏症（IBD）、多發性硬化症（MS），以及 帕金森症與阿茲海默症 等神經退行性疾病的人群。

CBD also acts as an antagonist (meaning a chemical that binds to a receptor and deactivates or blocks its activity), to reduce the intoxicating and psychotropic effect that THC brings.
此外，CBD 亦會作為 拮抗劑（antagonist），意思是它能與受體結合並阻斷其活性，從而 減低 THC 所帶來的致醉及精神活性效果。

How CBD Works
大麻二酚如何運作

Most folks believe if THC binds to CB1 receptors. Aha! Then CBD binds to CB2 receptors. Unfortunately, it’s not the case althought CBD does make minor effects on CB1 and CB2 receptors.
很多人以為：既然 THC 與 CB1 受體結合，那麼 CBD 就是與 CB2 受體結合。然而事實並非如此 —— 雖然 CBD 對 CB1 與 CB2 受體有些微作用，但並非主要機制。

CBD indirectly stimulates ECS by slowing the elimination of natural cannabinoids produced by the body, and binds to certain non-cannabinoid receptors throughout the body.  Pretty much like you do not try to ease the pain by interacting with your in-laws directly. You tend to bind to your spouse, kids, helper, or assistant and have them to ease the pain for you through different channels.
CBD 會 間接刺激內源性大麻素系統（ECS），方法是減緩人體自然產生的大麻素被分解的速度，並與全身多種 非大麻素受體 結合。換個比喻：就像你不會直接與「岳父母／奶奶」交涉來解決痛苦，而是透過 配偶、孩子、家傭或助手 等不同渠道，來間接化解問題。CBD 的運作方式也是如此。

CBD works in a similar fashion. It does so by
具體表現為：

• Reducing anxiety by boosting the brain’s serotonin system, receptors like 5-HT1A, and nuclear receptors like PPAR-Gamma which reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease
  減輕焦慮：透過提升大腦 血清素系統，例如 5-HT1A 受體，以及 PPAR-Gamma 核受體，降低罹患阿茲海默症的風險。

• Activates TRPV1 channels to help reduce pain
  減痛：活化 TRPV1 通道，幫助舒緩疼痛。

• Binds with the latest discovered GPR55 Receptor (G-protein Coupled Receptor 55) in preventing seizures and combating cancerous tumors.
  抗癲癇、抗腫瘤：結合最新發現的 GPR55 受體（G 蛋白偶聯受體 55），以預防癲癇發作並抑制癌細胞生長。

Ways To Consume CBD
攝取大麻二酚的方式

There are a variety of consumption methods. These include topical, ingestibles, edibles, vaping, dabbing. All just like THC. The most absorbent way in for CBD would be liquid form edibles and suppositories.

CBD 的攝取方式與 THC 類似，種類繁多，包括：外用製劑、口服補充品、食用品、電子煙、濃縮吸入 等等。其中 液態食用品 與 栓劑 被認為是 吸收效率最高 的方式。

Myths
迷思

• Myth : CBD is child safe
  Fact : Yes it is. CBD is safe for most ages. It is also safe for people operating machinery or vehicles, recovering addicts, and it’s even safe for pets.
  迷思：CBD 對兒童有害
  ‍真相：不，CBD 對大多數年齡層都是安全的。它同樣適用於需操作機械或駕駛車輛的人、康復中的成癮者，甚至 寵物 也可使用。
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• ‍Myth : CBD is better than THC
  Fact : Depends on the situation.  Although using THC may give you a psychotropic “high” journey, THC has been used for medical treatments to ease the discomfort from chemotherapy as mentioned above.  The latest studies have found that THC has the potential to shrink or kill cancer cells if it done right. It also works best when combined with CBD as they help patients with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, High Levels of Stress, PTSD, Anxiety, or ADHD to sleep in comfort.
  真相：視情況而定。雖然 THC 會帶來「精神亢奮」的效果，但正如前文提到，THC 亦已被應用於化療病人的止痛與抗噁心。最新研究甚至發現，若運用得宜，THC 可能具有 縮小或殺死癌細胞 的潛力。同時，THC 與 CBD 結合使用 對於 纖維肌痛症、慢性疼痛、高壓狀態、PTSD、焦慮症或 ADHD 的患者，能幫助改善睡眠與舒緩不適。
  
  THC is effective as pain killer without psychotropic effects when used as topical. However a precise formulation is required such as combined with a carrier that doesn’t deliver THC to blood stream.  
  CBD combined with super low THC (below 0.3%) has also been shown to help both adults and children with epilepsy. ‍此外，外用 THC 在精準配方下可成為有效的止痛劑，卻不會產生精神活性。
  CBD 配合 低劑量 THC（低於 0.3%），也已被證實能幫助 成人與兒童癲癇患者。

• Myth : CBD is addictive and dependent.
  Fact : No. CBD doesn’t work like THC does. In most cases, once CBD users find the right dose for their needs, no additional increases are required nor do there tend to be any withdrawal effects when missing a dose.  This is unlike THC where your body will eventually get used to the effects and you may need to increase dosage overtime.
  迷思：CBD 會令人上癮
  真相：不會。 CBD 與 THC 的作用不同。大部分使用者在找到合適劑量後，不需不斷增加劑量，亦不會因為漏服而出現明顯的 戒斷症狀。這與 THC 不同，THC 容易隨時間產生耐受性，需要提高劑量。
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• Myth : I can’t take cannabis because I have MTHFR mutation
  Fact : Yes.  People with MTHFR deficiency / mutation tend to be unable to convert methylfolate, and trigger the elevation of homocysteine levels when consuming THC. That explains why most of the MTHFR’s (I know, what a motherf**r) don’t tolerate THC well.  Hemp-derived CBD or other alternatives might provide relief for their needs.
  迷思：我有 MTHFR 基因缺陷，不能用大麻
  ‍真相：可以。 有 MTHFR 缺陷的人，因為無法有效轉化 甲基葉酸，在攝取 THC 後可能引起 高半胱氨酸水平升高，導致耐受性差。這解釋了為何很多所謂的「MTHFR’s（諧音 motherf**r）」對 THC 反應不佳。對這類人群，工業大麻萃取的 CBD 或其他替代方案可能更合適。
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• Myth : All CBDs are the same. The cheaper the better. I can grow my own plant and make CBD.
  Fact : Yes and no.  First, not all countries allow for or have active laws banning the growth of your own cannabis plant.  Second, the process of producing CBD is key. Different processes produce different qualities of CBD. There are a variety of methods to make CBD, from heating to the most expensive method - Co2. That’s not to say the higher priced tags mean better products. There is a need to look into what’s behind the closed door, such as farming or if the process destroys any other beneficial molecules, has any residue, consistency, etc., All this work, time, effort, and third party lab testing definitely come with a price.
  迷思：所有 CBD 都一樣，愈便宜愈好，我可以自己種來做
  真相：不完全正確。 首先，並非所有國家都允許自己種植大麻；其次，CBD 的製作工藝 至關重要，不同工藝會產生不同品質的產品。從加熱萃取到最昂貴的 二氧化碳萃取法，各有差異。而且價格高不一定代表品質最好，還需考慮 種植方式、是否破壞其他有益成分、殘留物、穩定性 等等。所有這些工序，加上第三方實驗室檢測，都會影響產品價格。
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• Myth : Medical Cannabis is a miracle cure, especially for those who have neurological issues.
  Fact : No. Even though we believe in this medicinal plant plays a huge role in the body and makes certain impacts to the brain function which have been proven by research and real cases, we still need to accept the fact that there’s no one magic pill.  Your body is like mechanical engineering, different aspects like lifestyle change, attitude towards living, skincare, food choices, and environmental stressor all play a part
  迷思：醫用大麻是萬靈丹
  真相：不是。 雖然研究與臨床案例已證實大麻能夠對腦部功能產生影響，並在某些疾病上發揮重要作用，但我們仍必須接受：沒有單一神藥可以治百病。健康更像是一個工程系統，生活方式、心態、飲食、護膚、環境壓力等都扮演著不可或缺的角色。
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• ‍Myth : CBD is legal worldwide
  Fact : As far as we know, in the following countries, CBD is considered legal and you should have no problems importing CBD oil or other CBD products, as long as they have negligible THC content.
  PS: Since the laws are changing rapidly, any information in this article should not be considered legal advice. You should always check with your local government officer, police department or customs office for the most up-to-date information.
  迷思：CBD 在全世界都合法
  真相：未必。 截至目前，CBD 在部分國家是合法的，只要 THC 含量極低，進口 CBD 油或相關產品通常不會有問題。但由於 法律不斷變動更新，本文資訊不能視為法律建議。建議你隨時查詢 當地政府、警方或海關部門 以獲取最新消息。
  

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Resource & research

1. The diverse CB₁ and CB₂ receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin
2. GPR55 G protein-coupled receptor 55 [ Homo sapiens (human) ]
3. The orphan receptor GPR55 is a novel cannabinoid receptor
4. Marijuana and the Cannabinoids

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This article was originally published on our website on Oct 2018