The cannabinoids in table 1 are active ingredients in cannabis. The most potent one is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Other natural cannabinoids, such as cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) have potential therapeutic value. The latter compounds can be isolated from both non psychoactive as well as psychoactive cannabis varieties.

The production of cannabinoids and their associated smelling terpenes is subject to environmental influences as well as hereditary determinants. The so called mono terpenes are responsible for the characteristic slightly sweet odor of cannabis.

The slightly sweet - and sometimes not so pleasant - odor of marihuana, hashish and fresh hemp depends on the total mixture of volatile components (see fig. 1) rather than to one specific component. The “overall’’ effect of one marihuana variety is also a result of a delicate and fine tuned interplay between combinations of the cannabinoids CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, THCV, THC and other still cryptic cannabinoids and non cannabinoids that could be present in your sample. The wide range of neuro pharmacological, physiological and psychological activities of cannabis varieties are due to the presence of THC together with different combinations of CBG/CBC ratios, THC/CBC/THCV ratios and THC/CBG/CBC ratios, with or without CBG and CBC.

Thus a wide range of neuro pharmacological, physiological and psychological activities can be expected in cannabis varieties. In fact, the cannabinoids display much more complex pharmacological profiles than aspirin does.
As expected our fingerprint method reveals a wide range of so called chemotypes. Alpha Nova now introduces a unique and desperately needed classification system for cannabis species. This system is based merely on the number and concentrations of the individual cannabinoids. Taking the concentrations into account, hundreds of different  chemo subtypes can be distinguished.

The 750 documented varieties all will display an individual characteristic “effect’’ which is caused by an uncountable number of possible combinations and concentrations of cannabinoids. One will find synergistic, additive, inhibitory and antagonistic effects between the cannabinoids THC, THCV, CBC and CBG and many more cannabinoids that might be present in the flowering tops of Cannabis.
 
As a consequence, many unique therapeutic profiles can be related to the chemical cannabinoid TLC profile.
Additionally, our panel revealed that strains with spots appearing on the TLC-plate between the Rf-values 0.43 and 0.23 (between CBN and THC-acid) display a wide variety of effects such as an undefined stoned sensation, an inactive and lazy feeling, or a relaxing and “incomplete haze’’.
Due to the combinatorial action of the cannabinoids various states of minds, feelings and/or “buzz types’’ can be distinguished: “Indica Body Buzz’’,  “Cerebral Buzz’’, “All Around-Buzz’’, “Body buzz’’, “Stoney yet High’’, “Sativa High’’ and “ Sativa High Indica stoned”.

By self administration the dosage can be perfectly adjusted conforming the user’s needs or preferred state of mind. The individual differences in sensitivity, processing and breakdown of (combined) cannabinoids depend on individual genetic differences. These differences play a tremendous role in perception!

The rates of expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors in the different tissue cells, as well as the differences in the natural breakdown of cannabinoids in our body by the liver (the so called cytochrome P450 mono oxygenase system) is different for each individual. One person breaks down a compound much faster than the other. While some people go “down’’ after inhaling just one puff of a joint, others will need several weeks to notice the effect  of a marihuana joint. This is a well known effect in the recreational scene. Our company therefore states that all medicines must be self administered in small dosages!