Cannabis and The Entourage Effect
Advancements in cannabis research have allowed scientists to find more helpful information in the quest to understand the scientific magic behind the Cannabis sativa plant. An emerging subject in the cannabis industry is the probability of chemical compounds in cannabis working together to create something called the entourage effect.
Some cannabis researchers are pointing to this phenomenon as a way to maximize the effectiveness of cannabis as a medicine.
Here are a few things you should know about the potential of the entourage effect:
What is the entourage effect?
The entourage effect is a scientific theory based on the assumption that different combinations of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant work synergistically to regulate the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis consumption. In simple terms, when cannabis enters your body, it brings along a host of chemicals that have unique effects on the body. The results might also change based on what other chemicals are prevalent in the plant. There is also some speculation about whether these combinations can boost the health benefits of the most pervasive compounds.
Only a few studies currently support the theory of the entourage effect, along with some anecdotal data from cannabis connoisseurs experimenting with various strains of cannabis to test the theory.
Which chemical compounds interact to create the entourage effect?
Lately, the repertoire of cannabis science has evolved to include hundreds of chemical compounds outside of the two most popular cannabinoids Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The cannabis chemical compounds that interact to create the entourage effect can be broken down into three categories.
The categories are:
● Phytocannabinoids or plant cannabinoids: These chemicals include THC and CBD. They are the chemicals that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to create the physical and mental sensations attributed to cannabis use.
● Terpenes or terpenoids: These chemicals affect the unique smell in cannabis strains. These aromatic compounds occur naturally in other plants in nature.
● Flavonoids: These chemicals affect the taste or flavor of the cannabis plant.
Phytocannabinoids
Researchers have discovered and named nearly 150 cannabinoids within the cannabis plant, with the possibility of more they have yet to find. Again, the two most popular and well-researched cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is the chemical that creates the “high” associated with marijuana use, while CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical prevalent in industrial hemp. Marijuana and industrial hemp are two different varieties of Cannabis sativa plants.
The phytocannabinoids interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for keeping your body in homeostasis or maintaining balance. When interacting with the ECS, they bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptor sites located throughout the mind and body. The cannabinoids that come from the cannabis plant can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptor sites. The receptor interactions determine the effect you will feel when using cannabis products.
Using different cannabinoids together has been shown to change the effects you’d feel using them individually. Many CBD and THC products are being manufactured due to their popularity. Some cannabis users have experimented with combining the two to lessen some of the adverse side effects of THC use, like anxiety. In another example, a study on cancer patients conducted in 2010 showed that patients preferred a CBD/THC combination over pure THC for pain relief.
Contemporary research suggests that in order to get the most out of the entourage effect, cannabis users should also consider the impact of combining chemical compounds other than just cannabinoids.
Terpenes
Terpenes are chemicals that occur naturally in plants that affect the unique smell and taste of the plants. Cannabis plants can contain up to 220 unique terpenes, including pinene, limonene, myrcene, eucalyptol, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene. Beta-caryophyllene, known to have a peppery smell and taste, is also a cannabinoid because it interacts with the CB2 receptor. In addition to affecting the aromatic qualities of cannabis, researchers are exploring how terpenes combined with cannabinoids can alter the resulting effects. One such study experimented with terpene and cannabinoid combinations to see their effects on treating mental health conditions such as mood and anxiety disorders.
Terpenes linalool, which is found in lavender, and myrcene, prevalent in hops, have relaxing effects that could effectively lessen anxiety. Combining them with CBD may be an effective way of increasing the effectiveness of treating anxiety disorders.
Another combination like pinene, named after pine trees, and limonene, a citrus terpene, could provide relief for those suffering from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as the mixture can be both stimulating and calming.
As research into the potential of terpene cannabinoid combinations is in its early stages, there is still an ongoing debate on the full extent of terpenes’ influence on the effects of cannabinoids and the ECS. While some studies suggest that terpenes have no effect at all, others suggest terpenes can boost the effects of both THC and CBD.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are the lesser-known chemical that contributes to the color, smell, and flavor of cannabis. They also play a vital role in the reproduction of cannabis plants. The color produced by flavonoids contributes to how attractive the plant is to animals and insects. The flavonoids uniquely found in cannabis, cannflavons A, B, and C, are responsible for the unique taste and smell of the plant. It is suggested that flavonoids can protect the brain and have antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties.
Possible health benefits
Scientific research into the potential health benefits of the entourage effect has explored several different health conditions. In 2011 a thorough review of cannabis studies published in the British Journal of Pharmacology concluded that combining terpenes and phytocannabinoids could have a number of health benefits.
According to their findings, conditions that could benefit from combining terpenes and phytocannabinoids include:
● Chronic pain
● Anxiety disorders
● Inflammation
● Epilepsy
● Cancer
● Fungal infections
A 2018 study showed that combining certain terpenes and flavonoids could increase anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits. The researchers suggested that combining these two chemical compounds could expand the therapeutic effects of CBD.
Comments