Youghal hemp grower joins forces with TCD to study impact on inflammation

Diarmuid O'Riordan on his hemp farm .

A Youghal hemp growing company has entered into a research collaboration with Trinity College Dublin to gauge the potential of hemp-derived compounds in counteracting neuro-inflammation.

CB1 Botanicals is working with the college’s School of Medicine and Neuro-immunology, in a project that will specifically focus on neurodegenerative processes and the potential impact of novel molecules within human immune cells.

CB1’s CEO and co-founder Diarmuid O’Riordan says “the research also explores the impact of these hemp-derived compounds on chronic pain”.

The company also has an ongoing collaboration with WIT-based Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre (PMBRC) and with UCD’s genetics and molecular biology department.

Youghal native Diarmuid and his wife Kaya founded CB1 five years ago.

They farm high quality phytocannabinoids and other compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids, on 33 acres of organic land at Ballynoe, near Fermoy.

The chemical oil compound cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted at a base in a Youghal industrial estate.

The CEO explains that “after considerable deliberation, we opted to concentrate on healthcare and medicinal applications, because the sometimes harsh and even tragic side-effects of prescription pain killers is enhancing the demand for alternative medicinal solutions”.

The plant breed deployed by CB1 is an oil seed variety known as Finola, which yields high levels CBD.

The oil is produced in 500mmg, 1,000mg or 1,500mg strengths per 30 ml bottle and optional flavours of neutral, peppermint or sour cherry.

Youghal native Diarmuid O'Riordan (pictured) and his Lithuanian-born wife Kaya founded CB1 five years ago.

It is first sent to Eurofins Scientific in London for analysis, before being bottled, packaged and shipped to clients and distributors.

Accreditation from Eurofins, which is the only hemp-relevant ISO (International Organization for Standardization) in Europe ensures the product’s credibility.

The arrangement with endures to year’s end, ideally culminating in “the approval of a novel compound with a potent anti-inflammatory mechanism”, Mr O’Riordan smiles.

Meantime in tandem with UCD, the company is exploring the effects of hemp’s novel compounds, as well as small molecules found in broccoli, on “cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function and anti-oxidant mechanisms, along with apoptosis (programmed cell death), which relates to cancer treatments.

“Certain genes and biological pathways are activated by the plant-based compounds we are working with”, explains the CEO.

“They upregulate cellular defence systems and the body’s oxidative stress response, all of which play vital roles in counteracting diseases like cancer, MS and Parkinson’s”.

Due to “intellectual property” considerations, he cannot elaborate on the collaboration with PMBRC, which involves Enterprise Ireland-funded research projects relating to improving cannabinoid analysis, processing and purification and to studying the effects when “hemp-derived compounds are ingested”.