Cannabinoids are organic chemical compounds that can be categorized according to their origin; phytocannabinoids, such as CBD, CBG, and CBN, are produced by plants; and endocannabinoids, such as anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide, ANA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), are produced by mammals.

Cannabinoids help regulate aspects such as appetite, mood, pain perception, memory, concentration, among others.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the non-psychoactive cannabinoids obtained from the cannabis plant. This chemical compound acts as a regulator of oxidative stress and inflammation in peripheral tissues and the central nervous system, thus restoring the balance of our cellular systems.

Naturally, humans produce their own cannabinoids (such as anandamide and 2-AG) to maintain biological equilibrium and health, but when an imbalance exists, CBD (one of the main phyocannabinoids found in cannabis) can interact safely with the Endocannabinoid System, which is composed of receptors, proteins, and enzymes distributed throughout the body.

There are two different receptors for cannabinoids in our body, CB1 and CB2. They are distinguished by the way they respond to the central nervous system and their distribution in the body.  

The use of CBD has shown an improvement in the quality of life of treated patients. Cannabinoids are becoming the basis for a new generation of drugs that offer the opportunity to effectively and safely expand the treatment of conditions such as: Chronic pain, insomnia, parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, arthritis and rheumatism, epilepsy, seizures, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

We have the medical support of more than 200 health professionals and the means to channel the patient to personalized consultations. We invest in scientific and technological research and development to offer safe products for the patient. At Somalab, our priority is the patient's state of homeostasis.

Quality and Safety

The quality of cannabinoid medicines can vary greatly. This entails risks and uncertainty to patients and the health professionals who prescribe them. So why is quality important?

Cannabinoids have been used in human clinical studies and have shown to be relatively safe for most people compared to other medications. Absolute safety does not exist for any medicine. All medicines have a risk that can trigger the appearance of adverse and secondary effects. In particular, large doses of THC and other potent synthetic cannabinoids have been shown to have a high risk of harm, for example, acute postural hypotension or moderate psychotic events.

Quality and Trust

All medicines must have a clearly defined composition. SOMALAB products contain a constant composition of active ingredients between each batch, which ensures that the patient can consume the same dose every time.

Doctors and health professionals in charge of prescribing cannabinoid medications are the best-trained personnel to monitor the effects of the doses and to be able to prevent unwanted adverse effects.

SOMALAB products are subjected to a strict quality analysis to identify the cannabinoids present; the absence or presence of microorganisms, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, mycotoxins, and other contaminants that can affect the quality of the products

Some cannabinoids are available in different presentations and are designed according to the patient’s needs. Pharmaceutical presentations are all those forms in which a medicine is available, for example, tablets, syrups, capsules, suppositories, patches, etc.

The way cannabinoids move through the body (pharmacokinetics) varies according to the route of administration of the product. The duration of the therapeutic effect will depend on the dose, the pharmaceutical form and the route of administration. The most common routes of administration are:

• Inhalation route: medications administered by inhalation (nebulizers, vaporizers) are rapidly absorbed in the lungs.
Advantages: High concentrations are reached in the bloodstream and effects are seen within the first 10 minutes after absorption.
Disadvantages: High concentrations of some cannabinoids could trigger unwanted side effects. Likewise, the metabolism is fast and the duration of the effect is relatively short.

• Oral route: medicine is administered through the oral cavity and that involves swallowing the product. The absorption of cannabinoids takes place in the gastro-intestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines). The main pharmaceutical forms available for oral administration are sprays, capsules, tablets, and other foods such as gummies and jelly.
Advantages: Pharmaceutical-grade products are standardized, this means the products contain the same dose every time, regardless of the manufacturing lot. The effects are long-lasting, compared to the inhalation route.
Disadvantages: The time between administration and absorption of cannabinoids into the bloodstream is between 45 minutes and up to 3 hours.

• Sublingual route: The product (generally oily solutions or special tablets) is deposited under the tongue and left to absorb directly into the bloodstream for between 30 and 60 seconds.
Advantages: It is a direct absorption into the bloodstream, it takes between 1 and 3 minutes to perceive the effects. In addition, by not having contact with the digestive system, the molecules arrive better integrated into the bloodstream, since they are not exposed to gastric juices or to liver processing.
Disadvantages: Interferes with eating, drinking, and speaking while the product is being absorbed, and only allows administration of small doses.

• Transdermal/topical route: In this route of administration, cannabinoids are applied to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes to be absorbed. The vast majority of these products are for local use (creams, gels, ointments, lotions). They have an effect on the area where they are applied.