Reference library

Cannabichromene (CBC) is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa L. that does not bind strongly to CB1 or CB2 receptors but interacts with several other receptor targets, and ranks among the most abundant cannabinoids in the plant alongside CBD and THC.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found primarily in Cannabis sativa L., structurally distinct from THC and notable for its low binding affinity at classical cannabinoid receptors.

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is the carboxylated precursor to cannabidiol (CBD), found predominantly in raw, uncured cannabis and hemp plant material before decarboxylation converts it to CBD via heat or prolonged light exposure.

Cannabidiphorol (CBDP) is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid structurally analogous to cannabidiol (CBD), distinguished by a seven-carbon alkyl side chain in place of CBD's five-carbon chain.

Cannabidivarin (CBDV) is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants, structurally analogous to cannabidiol (CBD) but with a shortened propyl side chain in place of CBD's pentyl chain.

Cannabielsoin (CBE) is a minor phytocannabinoid and known metabolite of cannabidiol (CBD), characterised by a unique benzofuran-type ring structure that distinguishes it from most other plant-derived cannabinoids.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa that serves as the biosynthetic precursor to the major cannabinoid classes, including THC, CBD, and CBC.

Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is the biosynthetic precursor to all major phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa, formed when olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate are combined by the enzyme geranylpyrophosphate:olivetolate geranyltransferase.

Cannabicyclol (CBL) is a minor, non-intoxicating cannabinoid formed primarily through the photo-oxidative degradation of cannabichromene (CBC) in the cannabis plant.

Cannabinol (CBN) is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that forms when THC oxidises and degrades over time, and is typically present at low concentrations in aged cannabis plant material.

Cannabinodiol (CBND) is a fully aromatised, naturally occurring phytocannabinoid found in trace quantities in Cannabis sativa, structurally characterised by a dibenzopyran ring system with no double bonds in the cyclohexyl ring.

Cannabicitran (CBT) is a naturally occurring minor cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa L., characterised by a tricyclic ring structure and currently under early-stage investigation for its receptor-binding profile.

Delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ10-THC) is a minor, naturally occurring cannabinoid found in trace quantities in Cannabis sativa, and a structural isomer of delta-9-THC that differs in the position of its double bond along the cyclohexene ring.

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) is a minor cannabinoid found in trace quantities in Cannabis sativa L., structurally distinguished from the more abundant delta-9-THC by the position of a double bond along the cyclohexene ring.

Exo-THC (exo-tetrahydrocannabinol) is a stereoisomer of delta-9-THC in which the double bond configuration is exo to the cyclohexene ring, producing a distinct three-dimensional geometry at the molecule's active site compared with the more commonly studied endo forms.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a hydrogenated form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in which the double bond at the 9,10 position of the cyclohexyl ring has been saturated with hydrogen atoms, producing a structurally distinct cannabinoid that binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa, acting as a partial agonist at CB1 and CB2 receptors within the endocannabinoid system.

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the non-intoxicating acidic precursor to THC found abundantly in raw, unheated cannabis plant material.

Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP) is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid first identified in 2019, structurally analogous to Δ9-THC but distinguished by a seven-carbon alkyl side chain rather than a five-carbon chain, a difference associated with markedly higher binding affinity at CB1 receptors in laboratory assays.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid found primarily in Cannabis sativa, structurally analogous to THC but with a propyl rather than pentyl side chain, producing distinct pharmacological interactions at cannabinoid receptors.

Cannabidiol is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that is the subject of extensive scientific and regulatory attention.

Cannabigerol is a minor, non-intoxicating cannabinoid often described as a chemical precursor to other cannabinoids in the plant.

Terpenes are a large class of aromatic organic compounds found in many plants, including cannabis, where they contribute to scent and flavour.

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the principal intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis and is a controlled substance in Australia.

The endocannabinoid system is a widespread signalling network of receptors, naturally produced lipid molecules and enzymes that is involved in regulating numerous physiological processes.

Retrograde signalling is a form of synaptic communication in which a postsynaptic neuron releases chemical messengers that travel backwards across the synapse to modulate neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic terminal.

2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is an endogenous lipid mediator and full agonist at both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, recognised as the most abundant endocannabinoid in the central nervous system.

Anandamide (AEA) is an endogenous lipid-derived neurotransmitter that acts as a partial agonist at cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, and is one of the two principal endocannabinoids identified in the human body.

The cannabinoid type-1 receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed primarily in the central nervous system that mediates most of the psychoactive and neuromodulatory effects of both endogenous cannabinoids and exogenous cannabinoids such as THC.

CB2 receptor (CB2R) is a G protein-coupled receptor encoded by the CNR2 gene, expressed predominantly on immune and haematopoietic cells, that binds endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids to modulate immune signalling and inflammatory responses.

Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED) is a hypothesis proposing that insufficient endocannabinoid tone — whether through reduced synthesis, accelerated degradation, or receptor dysfunction — may underlie certain conditions characterised by overlapping physiological dysregulation.

The endocannabinoidome is the expanded network of lipid-derived mediators, their biosynthetic and degradative enzymes, and the receptors they act upon — encompassing the classical endocannabinoid system alongside a broader array of structurally related signalling molecules.

Endocannabinoid synthesis is the on-demand biosynthesis of lipid-based signalling molecules — principally anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) — from membrane phospholipid precursors within postsynaptic neurones and peripheral cells.

Endocannabinoid tone refers to the baseline level of endocannabinoid system activity in a given tissue or organism, determined by the local concentrations of endocannabinoids, the expression density of their receptors, and the rate of their enzymatic synthesis and degradation.

Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) is a membrane-bound serine hydrolase enzyme responsible for the primary intracellular degradation of anandamide (AEA) and related fatty acid amides in mammalian tissue.

GPR55 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor that binds certain cannabinoids and lipid mediators, and whose classification as a canonical cannabinoid receptor remains under scientific debate.

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a serine hydrolase enzyme responsible for the primary degradation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the most abundant endocannabinoid in the central nervous system.

N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) are a family of endogenous lipid signalling molecules formed by the conjugation of a fatty acid with ethanolamine, several of which interact with cannabinoid and related receptors as part of the broader endocannabinoid system.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a ligand-gated, non-selective cation channel expressed widely in peripheral sensory neurones and certain central nervous system regions, activated by heat, low pH, and endogenous lipid mediators including anandamide.

Broad-spectrum refers to a cannabis extract that retains multiple plant compounds but has had a specific cannabinoid, usually THC, removed.

Full-spectrum refers to a cannabis extract that retains the complete range of compounds naturally present in the plant, including trace cannabinoids and terpenes.

An isolate is a preparation containing a single, highly purified cannabinoid with other plant compounds removed.

A subcutaneous injection is an administration route in which a substance is delivered into the tissue layer just beneath the skin.

A bitter principle is a structurally diverse class of intensely bitter-tasting secondary metabolites found in plants, characterised by their ability to stimulate taste receptors rather than by any single shared chemical scaffold.

A term used in phytomedicine and pharmacognosy to describe a proposed class of plant-derived substances characterised in research literature by their capacity to interact non-specifically with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathoadrenal system, without meeting the threshold for a registered therapeutic claim in Australia.

A naturally occurring, nitrogen-containing organic compound produced by plants (and some fungi and animals) that typically exerts pronounced physiological effects in humans and other mammals.

Anthocyanins are a class of water-soluble flavonoid pigments responsible for the red, purple, and blue colouration found in many fruits, flowers, and vegetables.

Carotenoids are a large class of fat-soluble pigments synthesised by plants, algae, and some fungi and bacteria, responsible for yellow, orange, and red colouration in many fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

A concentrated, volatile aromatic extract obtained from plant material — typically by steam distillation, cold expression, or solvent extraction — that captures the characteristic odour compounds of the source species.

Flavonoids are a large class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites found widely across the plant kingdom, characterised by a fifteen-carbon skeleton arranged in two phenyl rings joined by a three-carbon bridge.

A glycoside is a plant-derived organic compound in which one or more sugar molecules are chemically bonded to a non-sugar component (the aglycone), a structural arrangement that influences how the compound is stored in plant tissue and how it behaves once the bond is cleaved.

Mucilage is a class of high-molecular-weight, water-soluble (or water-swelling) polysaccharides produced by many plants, characterised by a viscous, gel-like consistency when hydrated.

Phytosterols are a class of naturally occurring sterol compounds found in plant cell membranes, structurally analogous to cholesterol in animals, and the subject of ongoing phytochemical and nutritional research.

Polyphenols are a structurally diverse class of plant-derived secondary metabolites characterised by multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups, found widely across fruits, vegetables, legumes, and botanical preparations.

A resin is a solid or semi-solid amorphous mixture of organic compounds — primarily terpenoids and phenolic constituents — secreted by specialised plant cells, typically as a protective response to mechanical injury, pathogen attack, or environmental stress.

Saponins are a structurally diverse class of plant-derived glycosides characterised by a lipid-soluble aglycone (sapogenin) core bonded to one or more hydrophilic sugar chains, giving them pronounced amphiphilic and surface-active properties.

Tannins are a structurally diverse class of polyphenolic plant secondary metabolites characterised by their ability to bind and precipitate proteins, forming the chemical basis of leather-tanning and astringency in foods and plant extracts.

A volatile oil (also called an essential oil) is a complex, lipophilic mixture of low-molecular-weight organic compounds produced in specialised plant secretory structures, characterised by rapid evaporation at room temperature and a distinctive, often intense aroma.

Angiotensin II is an endogenous octapeptide hormone central to the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), where it regulates blood pressure, fluid balance, and electrolyte homeostasis through vasoconstriction and aldosterone release.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) is a 28-amino-acid endogenous peptide hormone secreted primarily by cardiac atrial cells in response to increased atrial wall stretch, where it acts on renal and vascular targets to promote sodium excretion and vasodilation.

Bradykinin is an endogenous nine-amino-acid peptide belonging to the kinin family, generated primarily through the kallikrein–kinin system and involved in vasodilation, vascular permeability, pain signalling, and inflammatory responses.

Carbetocin is a synthetic, long-acting analogue of the endogenous nonapeptide oxytocin, developed to reduce postpartum haemorrhage by stimulating sustained uterine contraction after childbirth or caesarean section.

Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of the endogenous nonapeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP), modified to enhance antidiuretic potency and reduce vasopressor activity.

Enfuvirtide is a synthetic 36-amino-acid peptide that inhibits HIV-1 entry into host cells by blocking fusion of the viral and cell membranes.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is an endogenous glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by the kidneys that regulates red blood cell production by stimulating erythroid progenitor cell differentiation in bone marrow.

Filgrastim is a recombinant form of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a glycoprotein that stimulates the bone marrow to produce and release neutrophils into the bloodstream.

Ghrelin is an endogenous 28-amino-acid peptide hormone, primarily secreted by specialised cells of the gastric fundus, that acts as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) and plays a central role in appetite regulation, energy homeostasis, and pulsatile growth hormone release.

Glatiramer acetate is a synthetic polypeptide mixture composed of four amino acids — glutamic acid, lysine, alanine, and tyrosine — that mimics structural properties of myelin basic protein and is classified as a prescription-only medicine in Australia under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulatory framework.

Glucagon is a 29-amino-acid peptide hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans that acts as the primary counter-regulatory hormone to insulin, stimulating hepatic glucose production to raise blood glucose concentrations.

Goserelin is a synthetic decapeptide analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that acts on the pituitary gland to suppress the release of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), resulting in a profound reduction in gonadal sex hormone production.

Icatibant is a synthetic, selective bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist — a ten-amino-acid peptidomimetic used in the acute treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adults.

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is a 70-amino-acid endogenous peptide hormone, structurally homologous to insulin, that mediates many of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone (GH) and acts on IGF-1 receptors distributed throughout skeletal muscle, bone, liver, and the central nervous system.

Leptin is an endogenous peptide hormone, encoded by the LEP gene and produced predominantly by white adipose tissue, that signals energy-reserve status to the hypothalamus and other brain regions involved in appetite and metabolic regulation.

Linaclotide is a synthetic 14-amino-acid peptide agonist of guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptors in the intestinal epithelium, approved in multiple jurisdictions as a prescription medicine for gastrointestinal conditions and listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as a Schedule 4 (prescription-only) product under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) framework.

Liraglutide is a synthetic analogue of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a 34-amino-acid acylated peptide that acts as an agonist at GLP-1 receptors and is approved in Australia for specific medical indications under prescription.

Octreotide is a synthetic octapeptide analogue of the endogenous hormone somatostatin, developed to replicate somatostatin's inhibitory actions on growth hormone secretion while offering a substantially longer plasma half-life.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) is an endogenous 84-amino-acid peptide secreted by the parathyroid glands that plays a central role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis in humans and other vertebrates.

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide analogue of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that acts on the pituitary gland to stimulate the secretion of growth hormone.

Somatostatin (somatotropin-release inhibiting factor) is an endogenous cyclic peptide hormone produced primarily in the hypothalamus and pancreatic delta cells that inhibits the secretion of growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, and several gastrointestinal hormones.

Substance P is an endogenous eleven-amino-acid neuropeptide of the tachykinin family, produced throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, where it acts primarily as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator via neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors.

Teriparatide is a synthetic 34-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the biologically active N-terminal fragment of human parathyroid hormone (PTH 1–34), classified as a prescription-only medicine in Australia and used in an approved clinical context.

Thymosin Beta-4 is an endogenous 43-amino-acid peptide found in virtually all human tissues, studied for its roles in actin sequestration, cellular signalling, and tissue homeostasis, but not approved as a therapeutic drug in Australia.

Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone, ADH) is an endogenous nine-amino-acid cyclic peptide synthesised in the hypothalamus that regulates water reabsorption in the renal collecting ducts and mediates vasoconstriction at higher concentrations.

Alanine is a non-essential, non-polar aliphatic alpha-amino acid that serves as one of the most abundant building blocks in proteins and plays a central role in glucose–alanine cycling and nitrogen transport in vertebrate metabolism.

Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid with a positively charged guanidinium side chain, serving as a structural component of proteins and a direct precursor to nitric oxide via the urea cycle.

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing, conditionally essential amino acid whose thiol (–SH) side chain underpins disulfide bond formation, metal coordination, and redox-active catalysis across a wide range of proteins and peptides.

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid — the most abundant free amino acid in human plasma — that carries a neutral amide side chain and serves as a key nitrogen shuttle in intermediary metabolism.

Glycine is the smallest and structurally simplest proteinogenic amino acid, characterised by a single hydrogen atom as its side chain and a central role in peptide backbone flexibility and nitrogen metabolism.

Histidine (His; single-letter code H) is a semi-essential, polar α-amino acid whose imidazole side chain carries a pKa near physiological pH, making it uniquely suited to proton-transfer reactions in enzyme active sites and protein structural chemistry.

Leucine is an essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that the human body cannot synthesise de novo and must obtain from dietary or supplemental protein sources.

Lysine is an essential, positively charged α-amino acid that the human body cannot synthesise de novo and must obtain through dietary sources or supplementation; it serves as a structural and functional building block in proteins and peptides.

Methionine is a sulphur-containing essential amino acid that serves as the universal initiator of protein synthesis and as the principal methyl-group donor in one-carbon metabolism.

Proline (Pro; single-letter code P) is a cyclic, non-essential α-amino acid in which the side chain loops back to bond with the backbone nitrogen, making it the only proteinogenic amino acid with a secondary amine at its α-position.

Tryptophan is an essential aromatic amino acid that the human body cannot synthesise de novo, making dietary intake necessary for protein synthesis and for the production of several biologically significant metabolites.

Tyrosine is a conditionally essential aromatic amino acid that serves as a precursor to several physiologically significant molecules, including catecholamines and thyroid hormones, and is incorporated into peptide and protein structures via its phenolic side chain.

Amino acids are the molecular building blocks that join together to form peptides and proteins.

A GLP-1 receptor agonist is a class of peptide-based compound that activates the receptor for glucagon-like peptide-1.

A peptide is a short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, smaller than a full protein.

A peptide bond is the chemical linkage that joins two amino acids together within a peptide or protein.

Volume of distribution (Vd) is a theoretical pharmacokinetic parameter that describes how extensively a drug disperses from the bloodstream into body tissues relative to its plasma concentration.

The entourage effect is a proposed concept suggesting that cannabis compounds may interact collectively rather than acting in isolation.

First-pass metabolism is the process by which an orally administered substance is partly broken down by the liver before reaching general circulation.

The 5-HT2A receptor is a G-protein-coupled serotonin receptor subtype found primarily in the prefrontal cortex that is considered the principal molecular target through which classical psychedelics — including psilocin, LSD, and DMT — produce their characteristic perceptual and cognitive effects.

An Authorised Prescriber is a TGA-approved medical practitioner permitted, under specific conditions, to prescribe certain Schedule 8 controlled substances — including psilocybin and MDMA — to eligible patients outside of a clinical trial, following a rescheduling decision that took effect on 1 July 2023.

The default mode network is a set of interconnected brain regions — principally the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and angular gyrus — that shows heightened activity during wakeful rest, self-referential thought, and mind-wandering, and markedly reduced activity under certain pharmacological conditions studied in psychedelic research.

Microdosing refers to the practice of self-administering sub-perceptual quantities of a psychedelic substance — most commonly psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) — on a repeated schedule, as reported in research literature and user accounts; in Australia, both substances remain Schedule 9 prohibited drugs under the Poisons Standard, meaning possession or use outside a narrow authorised clinical pathway is a criminal offence.

Psilocin is the pharmacologically active metabolite of psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic compound classified as a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under Australia's Poisons Standard, with possession or use outside strictly authorised clinical pathways constituting a criminal offence.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in certain fungi species that acts as a prodrug to psilocin, a potent serotonin 2A receptor agonist; it is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia under the Poisons Standard, with a narrow Schedule 8 (controlled drug) exception for use via Authorised Prescriber since July 2023.

A clinical research model in which a psychedelic substance — administered in a controlled setting by trained practitioners — is studied alongside structured psychological support, with legal access in Australia tightly restricted under the Therapeutic Goods Administration's scheduling framework.

Schedule 9 (Prohibited Substance) is the most restrictive classification under Australia's Poisons Standard, designating substances whose manufacture, possession, supply, and use are prohibited except in very limited circumstances approved for research or therapeutic development.

A serotonergic psychedelic is a psychoactive compound that produces altered perception, cognition, and mood primarily by acting as a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor in the central nervous system.

The biologically active component of a medicine or therapeutic product responsible for its pharmacological effect, as distinct from inactive excipients, fillers, or carriers.

An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an unintended, harmful response to a medicine administered at a dose normally used in humans for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, or treatment of disease.

A bioassay is a laboratory or field procedure in which a living organism, tissue, or cell system is used to measure the potency, concentration, or biological activity of a substance by observing a quantifiable response.

A highly selective semipermeable border formed by specialised endothelial cells lining the brain's capillaries, which tightly regulates the passage of substances between the bloodstream and the central nervous system.

A bolus is a single, discrete quantity of a substance administered at one time — as distinct from a continuous infusion or divided doses spread across a period.

A compounded medicine is a preparation made by a pharmacist or licensed compounder for an individual patient, formulated outside the standard manufacturing process when no commercially available product meets that patient's specific clinical requirements.

A compounding pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy that prepares individualised medicinal preparations for specific patients, outside the scope of commercially manufactured, TGA-registered products.

A contraindication is a specific circumstance, condition, or concurrent substance in which a drug, procedure, or intervention should not be used because the potential for harm outweighs any anticipated benefit.

A controlled substance is any chemical or drug whose manufacture, possession, supply, and use is regulated by law on the basis of its potential for dependence, misuse, or harm.

A drug–drug interaction (DDI) occurs when the pharmacological effect of one substance is altered by the concurrent or recent presence of another substance, resulting in an outcome that differs from the effect of either agent alone.

Drug scheduling is the classification of medicines, controlled substances, and other therapeutic goods into regulatory categories that determine the legal conditions under which each substance may be manufactured, supplied, possessed, or used.

Efficacy refers to how well an intervention performs under controlled, ideal conditions; effectiveness refers to how well it performs in real-world, everyday practice.

A molecule produced naturally within an organism that binds to a specific receptor and initiates a biological signalling response.

An excipient is any pharmacologically inactive substance formulated alongside an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to aid manufacture, stability, delivery, or palatability of a medicine.

Hemp and marijuana are both derived from Cannabis sativa L., but are distinguished in Australian and international law primarily by their delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, not by any fundamental botanical difference.

Intramuscular (IM) refers to the route of administration by which a substance is delivered directly into muscle tissue via injection, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and subcutaneous layer.

Lipophilicity describes the degree to which a chemical compound is attracted to, and tends to dissolve in, lipids (fats and oils) rather than water.

Lipophilicity and hydrophilicity are complementary physicochemical properties describing the degree to which a molecule is attracted to fats and non-polar solvents (lipophilic) or to water and polar environments (hydrophilic), with direct consequences for how a compound is absorbed, distributed, metabolised, and excreted in biological systems.

A metabolite is any small molecule produced or consumed during the chemical reactions of metabolism, encompassing both the intermediates generated along biosynthetic or catabolic pathways and the end-products that are excreted, recycled, or used as substrates elsewhere in the cell.

In Australian and international law, "narcotic" is a regulatory classification applied to certain controlled substances under the Poisons Standard and relevant international conventions — a legal category that does not map precisely onto the pharmacological meaning of the term.

Off-label use refers to the prescribing of a registered therapeutic good for a purpose, population, dose, or route of administration not specified in the product's approved Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) entry.

Pharmacokinetics is the branch of pharmacology that describes how a biological system absorbs, distributes, metabolises, and excretes a substance over time.

Pharmacovigilance is the science and set of activities concerned with the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other medicine-related problem.

Phytomedicine is the scientific study and application of plant-derived substances — including whole plants, plant parts, and standardised extracts — examined through the frameworks of chemistry, pharmacognosy, and pharmacology.

The Poisons Standard (Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, or SUSMP) is the subordinate legislative instrument made under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 that classifies medicines, chemicals, and other substances into schedules governing how they may be supplied, labelled, and accessed across Australia.

A precursor chemical is a substance that participates in, and is chemically transformed during, the production of another compound — most notably a controlled drug or scheduled medicine.

Solubility is the maximum amount of a substance (the solute) that will dissolve in a given quantity of another substance (the solvent) under specified conditions of temperature and pressure, expressed as a concentration such as grams per litre or milligrams per millilitre.

A standardisation marker is a chemically defined compound — typically a well-characterised secondary metabolite — used as a quantitative reference point to ensure consistency, identity, and potency across batches of a botanical extract or herbal preparation.

A standardised extract is a botanical or plant-derived preparation in which one or more constituent compounds — known as marker compounds — are measured and adjusted to a defined, consistent concentration across each batch of product.

Subcutaneous refers to the layer of tissue situated directly beneath the dermis (skin), comprising loose connective tissue and adipose (fat) cells, and is also used as a descriptor for any substance delivered or structure located within that layer.

A tincture is a liquid preparation made by dissolving plant material, or another pharmacologically active substance, in a solvent — typically ethanol, or a mixture of ethanol and water — to produce a concentrated extract for oral or topical use.

Tolerance is a physiological and pharmacological phenomenon in which repeated exposure to a substance produces a diminishing response at the same dose, or requires an increased dose to achieve the same effect.

Transdermal refers to the passage of a substance through the intact surface of the skin and into systemic circulation, as distinct from topical administration where the intended site of action is the skin itself.

Receptor affinity is a measure of the strength of binding between a ligand (such as a drug or endogenous molecule) and its target receptor, expressed as an equilibrium dissociation constant (K_d) and indicating how readily the two molecules associate and remain bound.

Cannabis sativa L. and Cannabis indica Lam. are two historically recognised taxonomic designations within the genus Cannabis, distinguished primarily by morphology, geographical origin, and phytochemical profile, though their status as separate species remains contested in botanical literature.

A cannabinoid receptor is a class of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) found throughout the human body that binds endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), phytocannabinoids derived from plants, and synthetic cannabinoid compounds, forming a core component of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Nabiximols is a standardised botanical cannabis extract containing defined ratios of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), formulated as an oromucosal spray and classified in Australia as a Schedule 8 (controlled drug) prescription medicine under the Poisons Standard.

An enantiomer is one of a pair of molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, differing only in the spatial arrangement of atoms around one or more chiral centres.

A racemic mixture (or racemate) is an equal-parts combination of the two mirror-image forms (enantiomers) of a chiral molecule, resulting in no net optical rotation of polarised light.

Excipient function refers to the specific physicochemical or technological role an inactive ingredient plays in a pharmaceutical or therapeutic formulation, distinct from any pharmacological activity.

A galenical preparation is a medicine made by extracting one or more active constituents from a plant or animal source using a standardised solvent process, distinguished from chemically synthesised or single-molecule pharmaceutical preparations.

Clearance is the pharmacokinetic parameter describing the volume of plasma from which a substance is completely removed per unit of time, expressed in units of volume per time (e.g. L/h or mL/min).

Half-life (t½) is the time required for the concentration of a substance in a biological system — typically plasma — to reduce by exactly half its current value.

Steady state is the pharmacokinetic condition in which the rate of a substance entering the body equals the rate at which it is being eliminated, resulting in a stable, predictable plasma concentration over time.

Bioavailability is the proportion of an administered substance that reaches systemic circulation in an active form, and is therefore available to exert its biochemical effects at the target site.

An antagonist is a molecule that binds to a receptor and blocks or dampens the receptor's biological response, without itself activating it.

A partial agonist is a ligand that binds to and activates a receptor but produces a submaximal biological response relative to a full agonist, even at full receptor occupancy.

Pharmacodynamics is the branch of pharmacology concerned with how a substance affects a biological system — that is, what a drug does to the body, as distinct from what the body does to the drug.

A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive (or less active) compound that undergoes chemical or enzymatic conversion inside the body to yield an active drug.

The therapeutic index is the ratio between the dose of a substance that produces toxicity and the dose that produces a desired pharmacological effect, used as a measure of relative safety margin.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are a superfamily of haem-containing monooxygenases found principally in the liver that catalyse the oxidative metabolism of a wide range of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics, including pharmaceutical drugs and plant-derived constituents.

Bioequivalence is the scientific and regulatory determination that two pharmaceutical formulations — typically a generic and a reference (innovator) product — deliver the same active substance to the site of action at the same rate and extent under equivalent conditions.

The dose–response relationship describes how the magnitude or probability of a biological effect changes in proportion to the amount of a substance administered to an organism.

Sublingual refers to the route of administration in which a substance is placed under the tongue, where it is absorbed directly through the mucosal membrane into the bloodstream without first passing through the gastrointestinal tract or hepatic portal system.

An agonist is a molecule that binds to a specific receptor and produces a biological response by activating that receptor.

A decoction is a preparation made by simmering plant material — typically roots, bark, seeds, or woody stems — in water for an extended period to extract water-soluble constituents into solution.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a system of quality assurance standards, enforced in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), that governs the conditions under which therapeutic goods — including medicines, biologicals, and certain complementary medicines — are manufactured, tested, and released.

The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods is the official database of therapeutic goods that may lawfully be supplied in Australia.

Good Manufacturing Practice is a set of standards ensuring that therapeutic goods are consistently produced and controlled to defined quality requirements.

Schedule 4 is the Australian classification for substances that may only be supplied on prescription from an authorised health practitioner.

Schedule 8 is the Australian classification for controlled drugs that are subject to strict legal controls on their prescribing, supply and record-keeping.

The Special Access Scheme is an Australian regulatory pathway allowing access to medicines not included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods under defined conditions.

A set of conditions under Australian law that permits individuals to import a limited quantity of therapeutic goods for their own personal use without holding an import licence, subject to specific quantity, scheduling, and documentation requirements administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth) is the principal Commonwealth statute establishing the regulatory framework for the manufacture, supply, import, export, and advertising of therapeutic goods in Australia.

Alpha-pinene is a bicyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon responsible for the sharp, resinous, pine-forward aroma found across a wide range of conifers, culinary herbs, and cannabis cultivars.

Alpha-terpineol is a naturally occurring monocyclic monoterpenoid alcohol with a characteristic fresh, floral-lilac aroma, found widely across the plant kingdom and used extensively in fragrance and flavour applications.

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a naturally occurring bicyclic sesquiterpene found in the essential oils of numerous plants, notable for its distinctive spicy, woody, clove-like aroma and its unusual classification as both a terpene and a dietary cannabinoid.

Beta-pinene (β-pinene) is a naturally occurring bicyclic monoterpene found widely across the plant kingdom, recognised by its fresh, woody, and faintly resinous scent.

Bisabolol (α-bisabolol) is a naturally occurring monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found in several flowering plants, best known as a principal volatile constituent of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla).

Borneol is a bicyclic monoterpenoid alcohol found naturally in a range of aromatic plants, characterised by a sharp, camphoraceous scent with earthy and slightly minty undertones.

Camphene is a bicyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon found widely across the plant kingdom, characterised by a sharp, fir-like, camphoraceous aroma and a molecular structure closely related to that of pinene.

Carvone is a naturally occurring monocyclic monoterpenoid ketone found in the essential oils of a wide range of aromatic plants, best known as the primary odorant of spearmint and caraway.

Caryophyllene oxide is the oxidised derivative of beta-caryophyllene, a bicyclic sesquiterpene epoxide found widely across flowering plants and notable for its distinctive dry, woody, spiced aroma.

Cymene (most commonly p-cymene) is a naturally occurring aromatic monoterpene hydrocarbon found in the essential oils of numerous plants, characterised by a distinctive warm, woody, and faintly citrus-like odour.

Delta-3-carene is a bicyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon found naturally in a range of coniferous and flowering plants, characterised by a sharp, sweet-cedar and pine-like aroma.

Eucalyptol (also known as 1,8-cineole) is a naturally occurring cyclic monoterpenoid ether responsible for the sharp, camphoraceous aroma characteristic of eucalyptus oil and found across a broad range of aromatic plant species.

Farnesene is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene hydrocarbon found in the essential oils of numerous plant species, characterised by its fresh, green, apple-like aroma and a molecular structure that places it within the acyclic sesquiterpene family.

Fenchol (also written fenchyl alcohol) is a naturally occurring bicyclic monoterpene alcohol with a fresh, camphoraceous, piney aroma, found across a wide range of aromatic plant species and identified as a minor constituent of many essential oils.

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpenoid alcohol found widely across the plant kingdom, responsible for the characteristic rose-like, floral-sweet aroma of many essential oils including rose, palmarosa, and citronella.

Guaiol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol found predominantly in the wood and resin of guaiac trees, characterised by a woody, rose-like aroma and studied in preliminary research for its chemical interactions at the cellular level.

Humulene (also known as α-humulene or α-caryophyllene) is a naturally occurring monocyclic sesquiterpene characterised by its woody, earthy, and subtly spiced aroma, found across a wide range of plant species including hops, sage, and cannabis.

Isopulegol is a naturally occurring monocyclic monoterpenoid alcohol with a fresh, minty-herbaceous aroma, found in the essential oils of several aromatic plant species.

Limonene is a monocyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon found abundantly in citrus fruit peel, characterised by a bright, citrus-dominant aroma and the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆.

Linalool is a naturally occurring monoterpene alcohol found in hundreds of flowering plants and spices, widely recognised for its floral, slightly spicy aroma and its role as a common constituent of essential oils.

Menthol is a cyclic monoterpenoid alcohol found naturally in peppermint and related <em>Mentha</em> species, widely recognised for its characteristic cooling aroma and its role as a secondary metabolite in plant defence chemistry.

Myrcene is a naturally occurring monoterpene hydrocarbon found widely across the plant kingdom, characterised by its earthy, musky aroma with faint herbal and fruity undertones.

Nerolidol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol found in the essential oils of numerous flowering plants and conifers, characterised by a soft, woody-floral aroma with subtle green and citrus undertones.

Ocimene is a naturally occurring monoterpene found across a wide range of flowering plants, characterised by its light, sweet, herbaceous aroma with floral and woody undertones.

Phytol is an acyclic diterpene alcohol produced during the breakdown of chlorophyll, found widely in green plants and certain algae, and used as a reference compound in terpene chemistry and fragrance research.

Pulegone is a naturally occurring monocyclic monoterpenoid ketone found predominantly in the essential oils of pennyroyal, peppermint, and related Lamiaceae species, and characterised by a sharp, camphoraceous-minty aroma.

Sabinene is a bicyclic monoterpene occurring naturally in a wide range of plants, characterised by a warm, woody, spicy aroma with faint citrus and pine undertones.

Terpinolene is a naturally occurring monoterpene found across a wide range of flowering plants, conifers, and culinary herbs, characterised by a fresh, piney, floral aroma with faintly smoky or woody undertones.

Trans-nerolidol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol found across a wide range of flowering plants, resins and essential oils, characterised by a soft, woody-floral aroma with faint notes of fresh bark and rose.

Valencene is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene hydrocarbon named for the Valencia orange, where it was first characterised, and is responsible for the bright, citrus-woody aromatic quality found in a range of plants and fruits.