While single molecule cannabinoid-based products deserve a place within the world’s pharmacopeia, full plant extracts could hold much more medical potential. Let’s look at the importance of not just multiple cannabinoids together, but also the benefits that having terpenes present provides. First though, let’s look at what all of this, as well as the entourage effect, means.
What are Cannabinoids and the Entourage Effect?
It’s believed that there are over 400 different compounds found within the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are just one class of compounds found within the plants that offer a plethora of different benefits. There are currently over
These cannabinoids, when found together in cannabis products, leads to what is called the entourage effect. The entourage effect is attributed to providing significantly more medical benefits than single molecule-based products such as CBD oil or pure THC oil.
What Are Terpenes and What Benefits Do They Hold?
Terpenes are in the other class of compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. This, however, is not the only place that terpenes exist. Terpenes are found in many plants including fruits and vegetables that we consume on a daily basis. Essentially terpenes or terpenoids are a class of aromatic compounds that also offer extreme medical benefits and nutrients.
When cannabinoid-based products are made utilizing the whole plant, they will also include these fantastic terpenes. The only thing better than the Entourage Effect from a plethora of different cannabinoids is the Entourage Effect that one can receive when both a plethora of cannabinoids as well as various terpenes are present. Here are some of the most common terpenes found in cannabis as well as some of their medicinal values.
- Beta-caryophyllene offers anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasticity properties and may aid in providing relief from pain and insomnia.
- Linalool: May aid in providing relief from insomnia, depression, stress, anxiety, convulsions, and pain.
- Pinene: Offers inflammatory properties and acts as a bronchodilator.
- Humulene: Offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may also aid in providing relief from pain.
- Limonene: Offers anti-depression, antianxiety and antifungal properties and may also aid in providing relief from gastric reflux.
- Myrcene: Offers anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties.