Explore Info on Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD and THC are among the widely-known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. THC has several intoxicating effects, while CBD is known to have many medical effects and uses, such as the treatment of inflammation, reduction of intense pain, and even preventing seizures. However, these two are not the only cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.
There are more than 150 different cannabinoids that, when combined, create the entourage effect, which makes an impact that is much stronger than any of the compounds separately.
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Let us not delve further into this entourage effect and see what modern research supports the concept. We have also consulted three different experts to see their opinion on the impact of terpenes on the cannabis effect.
We will also learn why more research is needed to fully understand medical cannabis and how it works to provide the significant effects that we obtain from it.
The Synergy of Cannabis Compounds
The “Entourage effect” was first used by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and Dr. Shimon Ben-Shabat in 1999 to explain the effect that cannabinoids produce when they are used together as opposed to when they are used in isolation.
The theory of various compounds obtained from cannabis and how their combination produces far more significant benefits than those of the individual compounds. This is particularly useful for treating specific symptoms and treating different medical conditions.
By itself, THC has plenty of health benefits, but its consumption usually produces intoxication, which is commonly referred to as a “high.” However, some people will experience fear and anxiety when they consume THC.
Combining THC and CBD produces an effect that can get rid of the pain, stress, inflammation and improve depression. CBD has also been known to manage the intoxication caused by THC, which can be valuable for many patients.
For instance, THC combined with CBD can be more effective for treating pain than the use of THC itself. Additionally, the combination can prove to be quite helpful in treating opioid addiction.
Medical cannabis is also known to have a vast range of therapeutic compounds instead of synthetic pharmaceuticals, which contain isolated molecules.
As such, patients using cannabis for the treatment of different medical conditions get to enjoy a synergy obtained from a combination of the various compounds in the cannabis plant. Isolated compounds cannot achieve the same result, and the overall effect is also significantly reduced.
It is believed that the interaction of the compounds is what leads to its healing property making cannabis effective for the treatment of different kinds of medical conditions. Anyone looking for relief through the use of medical cannabis will find the use of full-spectrum cannabis extracts to be more effective than isolated cannabinoids.
However, some patients dealing with chronic pain and epilepsy are finding THC isolate and CBD isolate to be more effective for treating their symptoms. Owing to the vast number of compounds naturally found in cannabis, there is a lot to be learned, and more research is needed.
Do Terpenes have Any Role to Play in the Entourage Effect Theory?
Terpenes are the compounds found in plants and are responsible for the scents and varied aromatic characteristics.
They are responsible for aromatherapy, and in cannabis strains, there are different amounts and combinations of terpenes, which can provide us with more information about the effect of an individual strain. Following are some of the terpenes that are found in the cannabis plant:-
- Myrcene: Also found in thyme and hops, the terpene usually provides a strong sedative effect in cannabis which is popularly referred to as “couch lock.” It has a smell similar to that of cloves and is effective for treating pain, insomnia, and inflammation.
- Caryophyllene: This is a terpene that has been thought to be helpful for the treatment of addiction. It can also be used as pain management, and the effects of this terpene are highly enhanced when used in combination with CBD. The terpene is also found in rosemary and cloves. It can be used for gastroprotection, anxiety, and dealing with depression.
- Limonene: This is the terpene that gives citrus fruits their scent. It is also found in basil and lavender and can be helpful for the treatment of anxiety and stress. They are also crucial for boosting mood in people.
- Linalool is a terpene found in birch and lavender and has proven helpful for treating anxiety and sleep disorders. It is also known to possess powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Terpenes effectively increase the absorption of cannabinoids, which further contributes to the entourage effect. Users can get better outcomes even when cannabinoids are available at low levels.
New Findings on Terpenes and the Cannabinoid System
Owing to barriers in cannabis research, there is still much that we are still in the dark about concerning these compounds and how they interact together at the molecular level.
New research has shown that terpenes do not produce the entourage effect by binding on the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Other scientists have also found out that terpenes cannot influence the pathways from CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Other Cannabinoids that Contribute to the Synergistic Effect of Medical Cannabis
We have looked at CBD and THC, but there are also other cannabinoids such as:-
- Cannabigerol (CBG)
- Cannabinol(CBN)
- Cannabichromene(CBC)
- Tetrahydrocannabivarin(THCV)
These are all known to produce different medicinal effects. For instance, in combination with THC, CBN has a sedating effect and an effective form of sleep relief. CBC can be beneficial for fighting inflammation which is also helpful for someone with chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome.
Research Findings on the Entourage Effect
Based on the responses from the many experts we interviewed, more research is needed to comprehend the entourage effect theory fully. One researcher, Dr. Annabelle Morgan, was able to create a new CBD oil that was used to improve the health of his son and treat many of his seizures.
More molecular breakdown research is needed to determine how the interaction happens at the molecular level. The future is hopeful as more innovation is expected from the scientific community.
References
1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/some-of-the-parts-is-marijuana-rsquo-s-ldquo-entourage-effect-rdquo-scientifically-valid/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7324885/
3. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.01969/full
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/the-entourage-effect
5. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-entourage-effect-why-thc-and-cbd-only-medicines-arent-g
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