Hemp Extract Demystified with Carl Germano
Cannabis sativa is a genus and species of plant that’s grown and used for many different purposes. Hemp is a form of Cannabis sativa that’s grown primarily for agricultural applications. Hemp extract is derived from the aerial parts of the hemp plant (stalk/leaf/flower/bud) and used as an herbal supplement. Like other botanical extracts, hemp extracts contain a full spectrum of naturally occurring bioactive compounds. However, unlike other botanical supplements, the marketing of hemp extract has been riddled with confusion and a lot of misinformation.
Hemp is often confused with cannabidiol (CBD), which is just one of over 100 phytocannabinoids found in hemp along with many other active components. Although cannabidiol (CBD) is the dominant cannabinoid found in hemp, all of these plant’s active compounds influence various receptors in the body – some of which are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Carl Germano, CNS, CDN, studies the connections between hemp and the endocannabinoid system. In February, 2020, Emerson Ecologics sat down with Mr. Germano to learn more about hemp extracts. In this interview, he not only clears up the confusion surrounding hemp extracts, but also takes us on an endocannabinoid system journey—from the discovery of the system in humans to the current research related to the compounds that influence and modulate this master communication network.
EMERSON ECOLOGICS: Why did CBD recently become so popular, and what do practitioners need to know about cannabinoid products like hemp extract?
GERMANO: “It was in the 1990s when researchers discovered that we have cellular receptors that accept cannabinoids. Not only that, but they found out these receptors are all over the body, in every organ system. The discovery of those receptors led to more questions: Why are those receptors there? And what is the body producing to influence them?
Then, in the late 1990s, we discovered two cannabinoids that our bodies actually produce – one they called anandamide and the other called 2-AG. These endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced in the body) are similar molecules to those found in cannabis. Anandamide and 2-AG are important to all physiological functioning.
The endocannabinoid system consists of all of the endogenously produced cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) and their receptors located throughout the body. It can be looked at as the master conductor of a beautiful symphony of communication that occurs within and among all of the organ systems in the body.
Due to its ubiquitous presence and influence on all physiological functions in the body, the endocannabinoid system is central to maintaining homeostasis, health, well-being, and balance. Yes, there are many organs and systems that help with stress and balance in the body, but the master conductor of homeostasis is under the control and influence of the endocannabinoid system.
We need to learn about and pay attention to this important physiological system. It’s been in our bodies since the beginning of time. It dates back hundreds of millions of years as found in simple to complex organisms. The ECS has played a crucial role in the evolution of organisms as it relates to both homeostasis and adaptation.”
Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters
“In the central nervous system, endocannabinoids are considered neurotransmitters. They speak to cells and are involved in cell signaling and cellular communication. Interestingly, they’re retrograde neurotransmitters, which means they hang around in the post-synaptic neurons or cells and go to the pre-synaptic neurons or cells to mediate the messaging. They sit in the background and then say, “Okay, that’s enough,” or “Let’s change things.” It’s a system of modulation. That’s why it’s so important that we look globally at the endocannabinoid system. We cannot be healthy or stay balanced if we aren’t producing enough endocannabinoids to support the functioning of the ECS.”
“Hemp contains over 100 different phytocannabinoids, such as CBG (cannabigerol), beta-caryophyllene, CBD (cannbidiol), CBN (cannabinol) and many others. Each one of these compounds either binds to or influences different receptors that directly or indirectly interacts with the endocannabinoid system.”
EMERSON ECOLOGICS: Why do we hear so much more about CBD than hemp?
GERMANO: “The popularity of CBD began with the work of GW Pharmaceuticals and its FDA-approved purified CBD drug called EPIDIOLEX. This caught a great deal of media attention. That’s where the problem started. The dollar signs were envisioned by companies that wanted to ride the coattails of GW Pharmaceuticals using the simple acronym of CBD. Unfortunately, this demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of botanical science and complete ignorance of DSHEA law. From a botanical medicine point of view, CBD isolate is inferior to the whole-plant extracts that contain the entire family of phytocannabinoids.
The problem is that people see CBD as a single magic bullet approach to supporting the ECS. But what is very clear to us from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Ayurvedic Medicine, when it comes to botanicals, the whole plant extract is greater than any single “magic bullet” pulled out of it. It’s no different with hemp.
Major clinicians and research scientists are saying you don’t need a lot of whole-hemp extract to jump-start the body’s endocannabinoid system. You also don’t need as much whole-hemp extract when you combine hemp with synergistic ingredients and accessory nutrients such as omega 3s, curcumin or Boswellia, that support the body’s ECS.”
Recommendations on buying hemp products
“Quality is a serious concern when it comes to hemp products. It’s buyer beware until there is better regulatory enforcement for hemp products, but there are some things to look for to help determine the quality of a specific product.
First, it’s best if the hemp used in the product is a validated agricultural strain and not a genetically manipulated marijuana hybrid. Also, I would recommend hemp products that are prepared by CO2 extraction. It’s clean. It’s solvent-free, and you can get a beautiful array of all the phytocannabinoids through simple CO2 extraction.”
Is there research to support the health benefits of hemp extracts?
GERMANO: “The preclinical and even some of the initial preliminary clinical data is showing that when you support the endocannabinoid system, you have a number of categories for clinical applications: Stress, mood, sleep, and healthy inflammation balance top the list. There is also evidence that the endocannabinoid system may support ocular health, bone and cartilage health, and neurological health.
We know there are major concentrations of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid receptors in the brain that help influence movement, memory, cognition, learning, and stress control. There’s a lot going on in the brain with endocannabinoids, but there are also a tremendous number of receptors found throughout the intestinal tract, liver, and other organs. The receptors in these organs are involved in helping maintain proper inflammatory cycling.
We need to get over the stigma that’s associated with hemp because it has been wrongfully placed into the definition of marijuana in the past. Thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm bill, hemp has finally been released from Controlled Substances Act and made Federally legal. Hemp is a botanical just like ginseng or licorice or ginkgo. It’s the richest source of phytocannabinoids and can help modulate one of the most profound systems in the human body.
We do, however, need to be cautious when choosing a true hemp product. The cannabis plant has been mishandled and adulterated. We need to be sure we’re using validated agricultural hemp that’s been cultivated and prepared with integrity.
The market has been focused on CBD, but the tides are turning. The science related to hemp will eventually dismantle the myopic focus on CBD. The truly reputable companies that are using high-quality, whole-hemp extracts will be the ones that will resonate over time.”
Carl Germano Bio
Carl Germano, CNS, CDN, is a New York board-certified clinical nutritionist. For over 40 years, he has been instrumental in developing nutritional materials and product formulations for dietary supplements, medical foods, and functional beverages in both the medical and consumer health channels. As vice president for Verdant Oasis, Germano currently focuses on product development and research related to phytocannabinoid ingredients. In addition, he is the author of numerous publications, including The Misled Athlete, Nature’s Pain Killers, The Osteoporosis Solution, The Brain Wellness Plan, and his latest, Road to Ananda: Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System, Hemp Phytocannabinoids/CBD and Your Health. Germano is also a frequent lecturer and radio guest.