This glossary is intended to explain and clarify frequently used terms in our program that people may not be familiar with. Don’t forget to also check out our FAQ page!
Artisanal:
Pertaining to or noting a person skilled in an applied art.
Biomarkers (Noun):
Measurable indicators in the body that can be used to track the effects of cannabis treatment. These might include changes in inflammation levels, neurotransmitter activity, or other physiological responses that help researchers understand how cannabis therapies are working.
Cannabinoid Profile (Noun):
The unique combination and concentration of different cannabinoids (like THC, CBD, CBN, etc.) present in a specific cannabis strain or product. This “fingerprint” helps determine potential therapeutic effects.
Caryophyllene:
Beta-caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene found in many plants, including cannabis. It has a spicy, peppery aroma reminiscent of black pepper and cloves. Uniquely, it can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, specifically the CB2 receptors, which are primarily found in the immune system. This property has made it a subject of interest in pain and inflammation research.
CBD:
Cannabidiol, a major non-intoxicating constituent of cannabis which has multiple pharmacological actions including antioxidant, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antiemetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cannabinoid:
A class of diverse chemical compounds that activate cannabinoid receptors on cells that repress neurotransmitter release in the brain. Ligands for these receptor proteins include the endocannabinoids (produced naturally in the body by humans and other vertebrates), the phytocannabinoids (found in cannabis and some other plants), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured artificially). THC and CBD are the most notable cannabinoids, but there are at least 111 different cannabinoids isolated from cannabis, exhibiting varied effects.
Cannabis:
A genus of flowering plants that includes three different species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These species are indigenous to Central and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for hemp fiber, for hemp oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a recreational drug. Industrial hemp products are made from cannabis plants selected to produce an abundance of fiber. To satisfy the UN Narcotics Convention, some cannabis strains have been bred to produce minimal levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
CDPHE:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment manages the Medical Marijuana Registry which issues registry identification cards (formally referred to as Red Cards) and maintains the database of registered patients.
Charlotte’s Web™:
Charlotte’s Web™ is a family-owned Colorado company that is operated by Stanley Brothers Social Enterprises. They provide CBD-rich hemp extracts for a variety of general wellness needs.
Cumulative Effect:
Increasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions. CBD has a cumulative effect in the body as it stores in the fatty tissue until metabolized. This is why slowly finding a therapeutic range is key; too much CBD before the body’s ability to metabolize results in stored product, or over-saturation.
DEA:
A United States government agency, the Drug Enforcement Agency in charge of domestic enforcement of federal drug laws.
Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation (Noun, describes chemical process):
The chemical process that converts inactive cannabinoids (like THCA and CBDA) into their active forms (THC and CBD) through heat exposure. This process is essential for making cannabis compounds bioavailable.
DMV:
Colorado’s Department of Motor Vehicles administers Colorado state driver’s licenses and IDs.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS):
The endocannabinoid system, an endogenous cannabinoid system found in all vertebrates that promotes homeostasis within the body.
Entourage Effect:
A diverse variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids has a more significant medical benefit than an isolated single compound synthesized in a lab.
Flavonoid:
A class of plant secondary metabolites that show a number of potential health benefits.
Forced Normalization:
When the chaotic energy stabilizes in the brain but the brain has formed a neuro pathway, or habit, and wants to seizure but can’t. Therefore it manifests in a different type of chaos such as aggression or behavioral changes. Some people who have seizures will actually seek ways to have seizures. While that is not forced normalization, it does highlight how powerful seizures can be on the brain and thus make the body respond.
Half-Life:
The duration of action of a drug. This is the period of time required for the concentration or amount of drug in the body to be reduced by one-half.
Hemp (Legal Definition):
The United States Agricultural Act of 2014 (“farm bill,” P.L. 113-79, §7606) defines hemp as the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
Hemp (Scientific Definition):
Hemp is a commonly used term for high-growing varieties of the cannabis plant and its products, which include fiber, oil, and seed. Hemp is refined into products such as hemp seed foods, hemp oil, wax, resin, rope, cloth, pulp, paper, and fuel.
Hemp Oil vs. Hemp Seed Oil:
Hemp Oil is a term that can refer to two different products- cannabinoid-rich hemp extracts, or oil extracted from hemp seeds. The RoC supports cannabinoid-rich hemp extracts for therapeutic use. Hemp seed oil is rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fats, protein, and other nutrients. Although it is remarkably nutritious, it is not what we recommend as use for therapy.
IND:
Investigational New Drug
Limonene:
Has a citrusy scent reminiscent of lemons. It’s associated with potential mood-elevating and stress-relieving properties.
Linalool:
Has a floral, lavender-like scent. It’s often associated with calming and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.
MC/MMJ:
Medical Cannabis (more commonly referred to as Medical Marijuana)
MMR:
Colorado’s state Medical Marijuana Registry
Myrcene:
The most abundant terpene in cannabis. It has an earthy, musky aroma and is believed to have sedative and relaxing effects.
Neuro-modulation:
The physiological process by which a given neuron uses one or more neurotransmitters to regulate diverse populations of neurons. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a regulatory system, it regulates other systems in the body, including the brain, the motherboard of the central nervous system. When the ECS is deficient, it has problems regulating the other systems. As opposed to other cannabinoids, CBD is a neuro-modulator.
ORR:
Realm of Caring’s Observational Research Registry. We are collecting information about how cannabis affects people with a variety of ailments.
Over-saturation:
When the endocannabinoid system is exposed to too many cannabinoids. This can occur when the user is taking very high doses or increases their dosing too quickly. This can present in increased seizure activity, increased lethargy, or increased medication side-effects. When this happens, it is best to skip some doses to allow the cannabinoids to metabolize out of the body. The process of resetting the ECS is sometimes referred to as “rebooting.”
Phyto:
Pertaining to or derived from plants.
Pinene:
As the name suggests, it has a pine-like aroma. It’s thought to promote alertness and may have anti-inflammatory effects.
RoC:
Realm of Caring, a non-profit organization that helps patients with debilitating conditions through the use of concentrated medical cannabis oil. RoC does not grow or produce any cannabis or derivative medicines; we serve to connect patients to the medicine, manage the access list, monitor patient progress, educate the general public about cannabis therapies, and advocate on behalf of patients who are using or who could possibly benefit from cannabis medications. Browse our website and Facebook page for more information.
SBSE:
Stanley Brothers Social Enterprises, founded by the Stanley brothers, Joel, Jared, Jon, Jordan, Jesse, and Austin. They operate Charlotte’s Web.
SUDEP:
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy is said to occur when a person with epilepsy dies unexpectedly and was previously in their usual state of health.
Terpene:
A large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers. They are often strong-smelling.
THC:
Tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive constituent (or cannabinoid) of the cannabis plant. Reported benefits of THC include pain relief, appetite stimulation, sleep aid, anti-nausea, anti-vomiting, and more.
THC-A:
Tetrahydrocannabinol acid is chemically similar to THC but is non-psychoactive. Reported benefits include anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-spasmodic, and neuroprotective. Although it is non-psychoactive, it is a fragile chemical and if it is left in heat, light, or air for too long, it can convert into THC and may cause a high.
Titration (Noun, describes an action/process):
The process of gradually adjusting cannabis dosage to find the optimal therapeutic amount for an individual patient. This careful adjustment helps maximize benefits while minimizing unwanted effects, acknowledging that everyone’s optimal dose may be different.
