Cannabinoid action of well known plants

[mindperformer]

For a long time no real natural CB1-cannabinoid-agonists were known except of the ones in Cannabis,

then came exotic substances like 2-Sciadonoylglycerol from the seeds of Sciadopitys verticillata. This is a analog of the endogene 2-AG but has only a tenth to 1/20 of its action, so its not usable.

The Echinacea- and Spilanthes- Alkylamides, noni-juice, pinen-derivatives, Tabernanthine and beta-Caryophyllene only act on the CB2-receptor in the immune system and not on the CB1.

In a liverwort from New Zealand there was found Perrottetinene which has a very similar structure to THC, but it is thought to be an inhibitor of the receptor.

Also Capsaicin, Falcarinol, Cinnamaldehyde, Voacamine and Voacangin-derivatives are inhibitors, and as such not usable for THC-like effects.

Beta-Asarone is a allosteric modulator of the receptor, Thujone and Grenadamide are only very weak agonists.

So it was a long way to find natural substances which act on the CB1-cannabinoid-receptor and now there came studies which described the occurence of them in well known plants.

But: be aware of deducing psychoactive effects only from neurological findings of a plant with unknown psychological action. The neurological interrelationships are extremely complex and there are always new findings. They can only be used as a hint.

In the following cases of plants, their actions are also well known, so there could be seen some coherences:

First of all there is a study on Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum), which describes an action on CB1-cannabinoid-receptors of the alkaloid-extract. Its not the Mesembrine but other alkaloids responsible for this action and mainly from the nonfermented material. Additional to the SSRI-action, PDE4-inhibiting now there you can see a CB1-cannabinoid- activating and Acetylcholinesterase- inhibiting effect. It should be half as potent as THC. I wrote books about Kratom and Kanna, so this is of great interest to me. Also others and I could observe a potentiating effect on Cannabis from Kanna. They don't describe the Ki.

The study: http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/17%20(02)%202010/IFRJ-2010-349-355_Alfi_Netherlands_(S)[1].pdf

(you may copy the complete link)

Kava (Piper methysticum) was also tested positive for CB1-cannabinoid- action. Yangonin was the main active kavalactone with a K(i)= 0.72 μM on the CB1-receptor. THC is 15-times as strong but if one consumed a great dose of kava there must be some cannabinoid action additional to the others.

The studies: http://sciencealerts...ml#.UEnAdbLN_k8

http://members.iif.h...resentation.pdf

Then there is green tea (Camellia sinensis), which is also CB1-cannabinoid because of its catechins (3 of them). They found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) has a Ki of 33,6μM on the CB1-receptor, so it is much weaker than Yangonin, but it is also possible to drink a great amount of greentea...

The study: http://www.missclass...a/cannaboid.pdf

This one is for science:

In a marine sponge Dasychalina fragilis from Papua New Guinea they found Haplosamate A, which was tested positive for cannabinoid action:

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/19175306

The cannabinoid-like action of Lion's tail (Leonotis leonurus) isn't yet explained by action on CB1-receptors but Leonurine could be an Adenosine-reuptake-inhibitor (structurally very similar to Dilazep) or an action on the vanilloid-receptor (structurally similar to Capsaicin).

Leonurine could in general produce cannabis-like effects (Auwarter, 2009).

Edited November 26, 2012 by mindperformer

[Foo]

The only one i dont get from my own "cave man testing" is the Lions tail.

[mindperformer]

the flowers of lion's tail are definitely active when smoked

My flowers:

Sceletium tortuosum:

Edited September 7, 2012 by mindperformer

[mindperformer]

Yangonin- compounds were also found in the Austrian black salsify Scorzonera austriaca:

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17034980

I found this plant near Vienna on the Bisamberg:

Edited September 7, 2012 by mindperformer

[Ambient]

the flowers of lion's tail are definitely active when smoked

Active on ur taste buds haha, tastes terrible, but yes does work to some extent. I think I've been scarred by an alcohol mix made similar to green dragon. Ended up giving it away in the end, had a really bad after taste, can't even stomach the smoke now.

Cheers for links, hadn't heard of Dasychalina fragilis & black salsify.

[mindperformer]

the flowers themself didn't taste as bad, only the leaves and extracts. The leaves are rich in resins...

[Ambient]

Yeah flowers were definitely better than the leaves & seemed to be more active

[mindperformer]

absolutely... it would be promising to breed this plant selectively for its effects, like cannabis, to get more potent plants

[mindperformer]

Kavalactones- paste:

[mindperformer]

There is a new study on CB1-agonists from a Cordyceps annullata- culture grown with a HDAC- inhibitor: http://www.sciencedi...040403912003255

The Annullatin A had potent agonistic activity and has similarities with THC

In two other studies Alpha-amyrin was found to enhance the endo-cannabinoids (especially 2-AG):

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/22646533

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21620566

Alpha- and beta-amyrin are found in many plants, especially resins like mexican copal:

http://cdn.intechope..._activities.pdf

http://books.google....huichol&f=false

This is the traditional black copal from the Huichol (Bursera bipinnata), which they use in their Peyote-ceremonies:

Edited November 20, 2012 by mindperformer

[Bigred]

awesome post thanks mate