Biomedical Research

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has put a new perspective on medicine.

Many seemingly distinct diseases are now considered to share one characteristic: a mutated or overpowered endocannabinoid system.

As plant cannabinoids are functionally very similar to endocannabinoids, these plant cannabinoids can be used to compensate for endocannabinoid deficiencies.

At GHM Genetic Development we investigate the genetic basis of our endocannabinoid system and explore the therapeutic potential of plant cannabinoids.

Our aim is to produce plant genetics and/or cannabinoid formulations specific to diseases or individual need and test these in collaboration with our governmental, academic and clinical partners.

A complete overview of the endocannabinoid system and related diseases can be found at the GH Medical website.

To assess the true therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and terpenes they need to be tested at both the preclinical and clinical level.

Preclinical testing involves the testing of biological activity: which cannabinoids and terpenes bind to which cannabinoid receptors and how do they change the receptor’s function, both alone and in combination?

In addition we aim to map the full extend of the endocannabinoid system (receptors, endocannabinoid synthesizing and –degrading enzymes and modulatory substances) in each cell type in both physiological and pathophysiological situations.

Combined, this should help to predict how plant-derived cannabinoids can be employed to restore balance in the endocannabinoid system and thus to treat or prevent disease.

Such predictions can then be tested in patients/clinical trials.