“Synthetic marijuana” have learned to do from GMO’s yeastPixabay

Yeast can even develop your own cannabinoid not found in the plant

28.02.19 500100

For millennia, yeast has helped people to make bread, beer and wine. Now, scientists genetically modified them to produce tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) – the key ingredients of marijuana. This writes the IFL Science.

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive component. In 10 U.S. States, Canada and some countries in Western Europe, it is allowed to suppress nausea during chemotherapy and to increase appetite in AIDS patients. And CBD, which has a calming effect, approved for the treatment of epileptic seizures in children.

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However, the cultivation of plants of the genus Cannabis detrimental to the environment: on the farm – used pesticides in laboratories – due to the large energy costs of artificial lighting and ventilation. A genetically modified yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) – a “small power plant” that can generate cannabinoide in any volume.

Interestingly, in addition to THC and CBD, the yeast can develop and produce new cannabinoids that are absent in the plant.

Other news about marijuana:

  • In the United States developed and successfully tested on humans a cure for marijuanabuy dependence.
  • In the United States began to produce non-alcoholic beer with marijuana.
  • Cannabidiol component of marijuana that does not have psychoactive actions, helped the rats to cope with depression.
  • American scientists say that heavy marijuana use accelerates brain aging for almost 3 years.