Cannabis products have surged in popularity, for both medicinal and recreational use. Despite the wide range of products on the market, measuring the true potency of these formulations remains a challenge. Potency is typically assessed based on the ratios of certain cannabinoids, especially THC, which produces a high, and CBD, which has therapeutic properties without psycho-active effects. Researchers at CannaMetrix, led by Harold Smith and Charles Owen Wolffsmith, are reshaping this understanding. Read More
They argue that traditional approaches to measuring potency don’t capture how cannabis actually effects the body, which overlooks the complex ways that cannabinoids work together.
Cannabinoids interact with our bodies through the endo-cannabinoid system – a network of cell receptors that regulate mood, pain, immunity, and other essential functions. While THC and CBD are well-known, many other cannabinoids play subtle but crucial roles, influencing the overall effects of a cannabis product. Simply measuring cannabinoid concentrations doesn’t account for this complexity.
The EC50 Array, developed by CannaMetrix, is the answer to this problem. Using human-derived cells, this laboratory test measures how cannabinoids interact with receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
This sophisticated test captures ‘biologic potency’, which describes the biological response elicited by a product. Rather than simply quantifying cannabinoid ratios, the EC50 Array measures the influence of both major and minor cannabinoids on human cells. It also assesses the unique effects of cannabinoid combinations, revealing whether they enhance or weaken one another’s impacts. Testing with the EC50 Array allows producers to tailor their products to provide consistent, targeted outcomes.
Imagine a medicinal cannabis product specifically for people with fibromyalgia, designed to reduce joint pain and improve sleep quality. Using the EC50 Array, a producer can test different formulations until they find the precise combination that is most effective on cell receptors critical to the disease. For this product, they might include a high level of CBD to reduce inflammation and a low dose of THC to relax muscles. CBN could be added for its sleep-inducing effects, and small amounts of THCV could dampen the psycho-active properties of THC.
Current product development adds certain cannabinoids based on what’s trending, without verifying whether the combination of cannabinoids actually works. Rather than developing products that are vetted for their actual potency, the cannabis industry is flooding the market with ‘unknowns’ and leaving consumers to find out whether they work.
By testing for biologic potency, the technology allows producers to develop cannabis formulations with precisely calibrated effects, meeting the demands of medicinal and recreational customers who seek reliable experiences. The EC50 Array can also ensure that products meet safety standards.
As the cannabis industry grows, the technology developed by CannaMetrix paves the way for products that are safer and more effective, enhancing public confidence and acceptance of this rapidly expanding market.
