Nanotechnology offers exciting possibilities, especially when applied to cannabinoids, terpenes, and other 100+ compounds of the marijuana plant. Many nanotechnologies, or to be precise nanomedicine applications are being tested to improve the absorption power of pharmaceuticals. Imagine a world wherein you get a medical cannabis card to avail of nanomedicines. These medicines will not only interact with your endocannabinoid receptors effectively. But they will also treat each cell directly, especially the ones causing problems. Furthermore, it will improve drug delivery and limit its ability to damage healthy cells.
Even more interesting is that nanotechnology will help locate tumors while using the signals to travel to the intended location. The only question that remains: Can we apply nanotechnology to the existing medical cannabis medicines to improve its performance? Read on to find out.
Also Read: How Technology Has Transformed the Cannabis Industry
Nanotechnology and Cannabinoids
Studies in the past have proved that cannabis has great therapeutic potential. In fact, so much so that millions of Americans use a medical cannabis card to get marijuana-based medicines to alleviate the symptoms of certain medical conditions. Be it anxiety, chronic pain, or even something as serious as epilepsy, medical cannabis has proved its mettle. The only exception, in this case, is that we still do not have concrete scientific evidence to suggest cannabis as an effective treatment option.
So far, medical cannabis doctors provide recommendations considering that it might help improve the medical condition of a patient. This also shows that cannabis has great potential and nanotechnology may help the cannabis community and others discover the same. In addition to this, experts believe that nanotechnology promises a bright future for the cannabis industry, especially in terms of medicinal value.
Nanotechnology can enhance the effect of the existing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of cannabis. It can also identify the disease at the onset and single cells causing pain or damage. While identification is just one part of nanotechnology and cannabinoids.
The other part will help deliver the cannabinoid to the right place. As a result, it will also help track the disease and stop its harmful activities. Not only this, but it may also be possible for the nanorobots to target specific ECS receptors causing the entire pain process to shut down at once. Overall, this states that we can definitely apply nanotechnology to cannabis.
Nanotechnology and Cannabis Bioavailability
Nanotechnology is not an integral part of the cannabis research system, but slowly and steadily it’s gaining a lot of attraction. You see, scientists are working on producing cannabinoids that can be easily transported to the cells inside a human body. These biologically engineered cannabinoids along with other metallic substances will enhance the bioavailability of products that you see in the market.
For those of you who don’t know, cannabis bioavailability is a concept that determines the availability of a drug to the damaged cell or tissue. For now, cannabis has been presumed by a large no. of people to treat conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, PTSD, etc. However, little do people know that scientists and companies are working on mixing nanotechnology with cannabinoids to provide increased bioavailability.
Also, improved bioavailability means that nanoparticles will leave room for improved modes of administration. For instance, injections, sublingual drops (already used by the medical cannabis industry), and nano-pills. All in all, a nanotechnology-based cannabis medicine will target specific cells or tissues without degrading the ability of other cells to function properly.
Also Read: Why Is Bioavailability a Critical Factor For Medical Cannabis Consumption?
The Future of Cannabis and Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology has already helped pharma companies deliver medicines with profound and improved effects. It has further enhanced the drug delivery system. And there’s no reason why cannabis should not be a part of advancing technology. There are challenges, of course, for instance, the medical value of cannabis depends entirely on the research structure.
Given that cannabis is illegal on the federal level, we do not have enough research to prove its therapeutic potential. Also, as a matter of fact, cannabis degrades in water, and a herb like cannabis is susceptible to several degrading factors. These factors will not only deteriorate the quality of the cannabinoids, but they can also hamper the process of delivery. In addition to this, as scientists continue to make improvements in cannabis nanotechnology, we have a bright future ahead of us.