What Is Hemp? Other Names: Cannabis Sativa, Cheungsam, Fructus Cannabis

What is Hemp?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Hemp, scientifically known as Cannabis sativa L., is a versatile plant that has been cultivated for thousands of years for various uses, including textiles, food, and medicine. Unlike its close relative marijuana, hemp contains low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound, making it suitable for a wide range of industrial and health applications. Other names include: Cannabis Sativa, Cheungsam, Fiber Hemp, Fructus Cannabis, Hemp Cake, Hemp Extract, Hemp Flour, Hemp Flower, Hemp Heart, Hemp Leaf, Hemp Oil, Hemp Powder, Hemp Protein, Hemp Seed, Hemp Seed Oil, Hemp Seed Protein Isolate, Hemp Seed Protein Meal, Hemp Sprout, Hempseed Cake, Industrial Hemp, Mazain, Semen Cannabis, Shadanaj, Shahdaneh.

Nutritional and Health Benefits of Hemp

Hemp seeds and their derivatives, such as hemp seed oil, are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, high-quality proteins, and essential amino acids. These components make hemp a valuable dietary supplement. For instance, hemp seed cake has been shown to improve the fatty acid profile and oxidative stability in broiler meat, suggesting its potential as a sustainable dietary additive in poultry farming1. Additionally, hemp seed oil has been found to improve antioxidant status in both sows and their offspring, indicating its benefits in animal nutrition5.

Medicinal Properties

Hemp extracts, particularly those rich in cannabidiol (CBD), have gained attention for their potential medicinal properties. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and stress-modulatory effects without the psychoactive effects associated with THC. Studies have shown that CBD-rich hemp extracts can modulate stress responses and reduce inflammation in both animal models and humans2 3. For example, oral ingestion of CBD-rich hemp extract has been found to attenuate stress-induced inflammatory responses in rats2, and improve stress resilience and sleep quality in humans3.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Hemp and its extracts have demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In diabetic rats, hemp seeds have been shown to decrease biochemical damage, likely due to their high content of phenols and flavonoids4. Similarly, hemp extract has been found to enhance the antioxidant system in honey bees, increasing their lifespan and resistance to oxidative stress7.

Applications in Agriculture and Phytoremediation

Hemp is also valuable in agriculture, particularly in phytoremediation, the process of using plants to remove contaminants from the soil. Industrial hemp has been shown to be effective in accumulating heavy metals and other pollutants, making it a suitable crop for cleaning polluted lands8. Additionally, hemp can be used as a cover crop to improve soil health and provide nitrogen for subsequent crops, such as corn9.

Potential in Treating Chronic Conditions

Hemp seed oil and CBD have shown promise in treating chronic conditions such as knee osteoarthritis and depression. A study found that a combination of hemp seed oil and terpenes significantly improved joint pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis6. Another study demonstrated that hemp seed oil and CBD could improve depressive behavior and cognitive function in a mouse model of chronic stress10.

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Adverse Effects of Hemp

Feed Intake and Palatability

In lambs, a high inclusion of spent hemp biomass (SHB) at 20% initially reduced feed intake, indicating poor palatability. However, this effect was not observed at lower inclusion levels (10%) or after a period of adaptation3.

Blood Parameters

Feeding lambs with SHB affected several blood parameters. High levels of SHB (20%) decreased blood glucose, cholesterol, calcium, paraoxonase, and tocopherol, while increasing bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the first period. In the second period, SHB increased blood urea, magnesium, bilirubin, ALP, and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and decreased β-hydroxybutyrate3.

Carcass and Meat Quality

In lambs, feeding SHB did not significantly affect most carcass and meat quality parameters. However, higher levels of SHB (20%) led to increased carcass purge loss and meat cook loss, which could indicate a negative impact on meat quality3.

General Health and Fecal Characteristics in Dogs

In dogs, supplementation with whole hemp seed did not result in any adverse health effects. Fecal scores, pH, and concentrations of volatile fatty acids and other fecal components were similar to the control group, indicating no negative impact on digestive health2.

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How has Hemp Improved Patient Outcomes?

Heart Failure Management

A nurse-led, home-based self-management program (HOM-HEMP) for patients with chronic heart failure significantly improved self-care maintenance, confidence, and management. Participants also experienced better cardiac self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and lower depression levels. Additionally, there were fewer unplanned hospital admissions and emergency room visits among those who received the intervention1.

Stress Resilience and General Wellness

Hemp oil extract, containing CBD, was found to improve HDL cholesterol levels and showed tendencies to enhance perceived life pleasure and stress coping abilities. It also significantly improved sleep quality and quantity. Importantly, the supplementation was well tolerated with no significant safety concerns2.

Crohn’s Disease

In patients with Crohn’s disease, CBD-rich cannabis oil led to significant clinical improvements and enhanced quality of life scores. However, it did not result in significant changes in inflammatory markers or endoscopic scores, indicating that while symptoms improved, the underlying disease activity remained unchanged3.

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Hemp Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant Activity

Hemp extract has been shown to significantly enhance the activity of various antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, peroxidase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. This increase in antioxidant enzyme activity helps protect organisms against free radicals and delays aging processes. For instance, in honey bees, hemp extract increased the lifespan by boosting the activities of these key antioxidant enzymes2.

Anti-Fatigue Properties

Hemp leaves water extract (HLWE) has demonstrated notable anti-fatigue activity. In mice, HLWE extended the median exhaustion swimming time significantly compared to control groups. This effect is attributed to the reduction in blood lactic acid concentration and the enhancement of glutathione peroxidase activity, which are crucial for reducing fatigue and improving endurance1.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-THC component of cannabis, has been shown to modulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In vitro and in murine models, CBD significantly reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels. This anti-inflammatory action contributes to its therapeutic potential in treating conditions like osteoarthritis, where it has been observed to decrease pain and increase mobility in affected animals3.

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Common Complaints Associated with Hemp Use

Gastrointestinal Issues

Some users may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, including diarrhea and changes in appetite. These effects are often mild and transient1 2.

Fatigue and Drowsiness

Fatigue and drowsiness are reported by some users, which can impact daily activities. These effects are more common at higher doses1 2.

Changes in Weight

There can be changes in weight, either weight gain or loss, associated with the use of CBD-rich hemp extracts. This is likely due to changes in appetite and metabolism1 2.

Potential Drug Interactions

CBD can interact with other medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or causing adverse effects. This is particularly important for individuals on medications metabolized by the liver1 2.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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