Prof Kylie O’Brien

Western Sydney University

Prof Kylie O’Brien is The medicinal use of Cannabis sativa (medicinal cannabis, MC) can be traced back thousands of years across many cultures. In recent decades, after prohibition for many years, many countries are allowing its medical use. Yet it remains misunderstood. MC is not ‘one thing’. There are many different types of MC products, each with particular characteristics. Almost two thousand constituents have been isolated from the plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two major phytocannabinoids found in cannabis, but there are many other minor phytocannabinoids. In addition, several hundred terpenes and terpenoids have been isolated from the plant. Each cultivated variety of cannabis has its own unique phytochemical profile that contributes to its therapeutic effects. The basis for the therapeutic effects of MC is our endocannabinoid system (ECS), a neuro- and immune-regulatory system that plays a key role in homeostasis of our bodily systems and with which components of MC interact. This presentation will explain the ECS, key constituents of cannabis and their actions, and explore some of the scientific evidence base that supports its use for specific conditions, including safety issues that should be considered.