The Science - Green Compass, Inc

Part of the Cannabis family, Hemp is made up of over 140 different cannabinoids, as well as terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and more. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is legally required to contain no more than 0.3% THC. Compliance with this law assures that legally grown hemp products do not contain enough THC to have psychoactive properties.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 140 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are the naturally occurring, biologically active components specific to the cannabis plant. Other common cannabinoids include THC, CBG, CBN, etc. CBD has been proven to be non-addictive, safe, and has many health implications. It has generated a lot of buzz for good reason. This is due to an ever increasing amount of data on how it works, why it works, and the benefits many have experienced specific to their health and wellness. Given all of this, it is important to gain an understanding on the details of this amazing cannabinoid.

As of December 20, 2018, the U.S. Farm Bill made CBD, derived from hemp, legal. This was long overdue on what may be the most versatile plant on earth. The cannabis plant has over 50,000 usages aside from its health benefits from bioplastics, biofuel, nutrition, textiles, clothing, and shoes, just to mention a few.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

In getting to know this amazing plant, the nomenclature involved can be confusing. So, let us take a deeper dive. Cannabis is a very diverse plant that can be split into thousands of different categories, strains, and species. You will hear the words cannabis, marijuana and hemp discussed frequently. The hemp species Cannabis Sativa L, commonly referred to as marijuana, is the form of cannabis with high THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content. THC is the cannabinoid that is best known for its intoxicating or “high”. It has its own health benefits but that is for another discussion. At Green Compass, we focus on CBD that is derived from the hemp.

CBD derived from hemp, defined as THC content less than 0.3% is federally legal in the entire U.S. The research dating back to the 1990s has shown CBD to have some pretty amazing health and wellness benefits. Anecdotal reports from people that have tried CBD as well as from medical specialists have shown CBD to offer benefits with a wide range of issues. CBD has been shown to aid in the sleep cycle, mood, and inflammation associated with physical activity. Researchers have studied and found many other health benefits and the number of studies has exploded in recent years.

So, how does CBD work?

The endocannabinoid system (or ECS) is how cannabinoids like CBD offer their benefits. It is our bodies own natural cannabis system! It provides homeostasis, or balance, in our body for health and wellness. It is quite possibly the most important physiological system in establishing and maintaining our health. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stated that it “may have therapeutic potential in almost all conditions affecting humans”.

Simplifying the ECS

The following is a simplification of the ECS. Essentially there are cannabinoid receptors within the endocannabinoid system. The most commonly researched at this time are cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, otherwise known as CB1 and CB2. However, as research continues, we are learning more and more about how cannabinoids work with our bodies through many other receptors and channels. The science behind the cannabis plant is advancing at a rapid pace.

There are also ligands, which are referred to as the molecules that bind to the receptors. The first ones discovered while researching the CB1 and CB2 receptors are named anandamide (ANA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). ANA and 2-AG are our bodies own cannabinoids or endocannabinoids. How cool is that? Our bodies actually produce their own substances that are related to the cannabis plant! Then there are enzymes that make the endocannabinoids and enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids (i.e. FAAH or fatty acid amide hydrolase).

CBD also modulates or changes other noncannabinoid receptors. It can activate the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor and can help with mood, and sleep cycle, as well as pain and inflammation associated with physical activity.

CB1 and CB2 receptors are the most abundant receptors in the entire body as they are within every system within the body. This includes the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, endocrine, urinary, digestive, central nervous system, muscular, skeletal, reproductive, and lymphatic system. The CB1 receptors are concentrated in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune system and organs.

CBD binds weakly to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. By acting through various other channels (as mentioned above), along with CB1 and 2, it helps to regulate and set the tempo for our bodies own endocannabinoids which in return plays a crucial role in the balance or homeostasis that is needed.

As incredible as CBD is, we know the hemp plant offers so much more. Green Compass Full Spectrum Hemp Extract contains not only CBD but also over 80 other cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds naturally found in the hemp plant.

The combination of these compounds provides us with various mental and physical benefits. Green Compass Full Spectrum Hemp Extract uses the whole flower in order to utilize all of these compounds. In short, we want to make sure that our customers are getting all that this incredible plant has to offer.

Terpenes

Terpenes are phytochemicals found in cannabis/hemp that protect the plant. Terpenes are generally characterized by a strong earthy scent. Terpenes make up about 2-3% of the cannabis plant and hold a wide range of pharmacological benefits, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Terpenes, combined with cannabinoids and flavonoids, produce the “entourage effect”. Many terpenoids are found in Essential Oils (EO) such as citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, etc. They are pharmacologically versatile in that they interact with cell membranes, neuronal and muscle ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, G-protein coupled receptors and second messenger systems and enzymes.
Flavonoids

Phytonutrients found in the hemp plant. Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

At Green Compass, we make sure to preserve as many of these compounds as possible, starting in our hemp fields and all the way to bottling. We also source the very best carrier oils and essential oils from around the world.

Every step we take is focused on producing the highest quality end product for our customers. That starts with our hemp fields and farming practices. That same focus is kept through extraction, formulation and all the way to bottling.

We use a small batch supercritical CO2 extractor to separate the vast array of beneficial compounds from the plant. It takes a bit more time but it provides a rich crude oil that our lab is excited to work with.

Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated crops on the planet. Industrial hemp is grown worldwide to manufacture a wide range of products, from textiles to cosmetics, to building materials. Not to mention it’s medicinal uses. Green Compass Farms grow 100% of their hemp for their hemp extract that includes CBD and other beneficial compounds found in the plant. Steps are taken to ensure quality, from seed to harvest. Green Compass makes sure that the hemp they grow remains high in CBD and low in THC.

We’re on a mission to share the immense hope we found in hemp.