Understanding the Health Benefits of Cannabinoids and Terpenes: A Beginner's Guide

Introduction

Cannabinoids and terpenes offer a variety of health benefits, many of which do not rely on THC. These compounds interact synergistically in what is known as the "entourage effect," enhancing their therapeutic effects when combined. In this guide, we’ll explore the key cannabinoids and terpenes, their benefits, and why less THC might be beneficial for your health.

Introduction to Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Cannabinoids and terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. They interact with the body's endocannabinoid system to produce various therapeutic effects. Unlike THC, which is known for its psychoactive properties, many cannabinoids and terpenes offer health benefits without altering mental state.

Key Cannabinoids and Their Benefits

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD is widely researched for its anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties, without the psychoactive effects of THC. Studies have shown that CBD can help manage anxiety, pain, and inflammation. It is also approved for treating rare forms of epilepsy. For more on how CBD works and its benefits, check out these resources:

• New Study Shows How Marijuana Compounds Like Cannabinoids, Terpenes And Flavonoids Interact For Medical Benefits
• CBD shown to ease anxiety without the risks that can come with THC

CBG (Cannabigerol)

Known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, CBG may benefit conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Learn more about CBG and its benefits:

• What Are Cannabinoids? Benefits, Uses, and Risks

CBC (Cannabichromene)

CBC has shown promise in pain relief and anti-depressant effects, working well with other cannabinoids to enhance their efficacy. Explore CBC's potential:

• What Are Cannabinoids? Benefits, Uses, and Risks

Key Terpenes and Their Benefits

Limonene

Found in citrus fruits, limonene has anti-anxiety and mood-enhancing properties. It can also improve the absorption of other terpenes and cannabinoids. For more on limonene, visit:

• The Health Benefits of Terpenes and Cannabinoids

Linalool

Present in lavender, linalool is known for its sedative and anti-anxiety effects, making it useful for stress relief and sleep improvement. Learn more about linalool here:

• The Health Benefits of Terpenes and Cannabinoids

Beta-Caryophyllene

This terpene, also found in black pepper, has potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It interacts directly with the CB2 receptors, making it unique among terpenes. Discover more about beta-caryophyllene:

• The Health Benefits of Terpenes and Cannabinoids

List of Major Cannabinoids

Major Cannabinoids:

• CBD (Cannabidiol): Known for its anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• CBG (Cannabigerol): Offers anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits.
• CBC (Cannabichromene): Promising for pain relief and anti-depressant effects.
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): Psychoactive, known for pain relief and appetite stimulation.
• CBN (Cannabinol): Mildly psychoactive, known for its sedative effects.
• THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): Appetite suppressant, potential in weight loss treatments.
• CBDV (Cannabidivarin): Anti-convulsant properties, potential in treating epilepsy.

List of Major Terpenes

Major Terpenes:

• Limonene: Anti-anxiety and mood-enhancing properties.
• Linalool: Sedative and anti-anxiety effects.
• Beta-Caryophyllene: Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
• Pinene: Anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects.
• Myrcene: Sedative and muscle relaxant properties.
• Humulene: Appetite suppressant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Terpinolene: Antioxidant and sedative properties.

How Cannabis is Used in Medicine

There is a lot to this discussion. There will be deeper blogs on this topic as it is critical to using cannabis as a medicine. Without understanding terpenes, what they do, and their power, you cannot fully utilize the medicinal properties of cannabis.

As always, a basis for conversation needs to be laid. So, let's look at pharma. How do they develop a drug now? Everything in pharma always starts with Nature. Back in the 1990s, many pharma companies had folks all over the jungles in Central America looking at medicinal plants. They would find a plant with good properties, let's say pain relief. They might talk to the local shamans and indigenous people about what plants they have used for centuries for healing. They would take the plant back to a lab, isolate the molecule that had the medicinal properties, copy it to a new molecule with similar properties, and patent that new molecule. Then they would create a drug from that new molecule. This is called "drug development" and what pharma has been doing since the 1930s—copying Nature, pretending to control health.

So, let's look at cannabis in a "drug discovery" way. What is the medicinal molecule? Well, cannabis is one of those rare plants that have several medical molecules. In fact, every major and minor cannabinoid could be considered a medicinal molecule, as could each terpene expressed. There are very few plants on the earth with as many "active" molecules as cannabis. "Active" molecules are what would cause pharmaceutical change within our bodies. So, cannabis is rich with medicinal molecules. There is not just one; there are many. The great news is that we actually test for most of them!

If you are a physician or a patient who wants to understand how to use cannabis, how do you decode the information? Well, that leads to an entirely different discussion on the endocannabinoid system and how it interacts with and controls all other neurological systems. Cannabis can express every terpene known to man. Terpenes have effects that are finer than the endocannabinoid system. You have major controls like metabolism, energy status, temperature control, and feeding status. Then you have finer controls like an immune response in a specific area, or an inflammation response in a certain area. All of these can be helped with cannabis if we know what we are doing.

With cannabis, our major knobs and levers are the cannabinoids. These are BIG KNOBS. For instance, THC-A affects our peroxisome and tells our bodies that conditions are favorable for the most efficient use of our mitochondria. THC mimics our main control molecule called anandamide. Simple engineering principles would indicate the more anandamide/THC we have, the more control over our body's functions. The cannabinoids that affect the CB2 receptor can cause stem cell differentiation to immune cells and would be super helpful if we are sick or inflamed. Lesser cannabinoids like CBN appear to affect our sleep-wake cycle.

Terpenes are the "fine" control. Terpenes generally do not affect the endocannabinoid system. Instead, terpenes affect the pharmaceutical channels we are familiar with. Things like GABA and the TRP channels are very affected by some terpenes. The TRP channel interacts with the serotonin channel and is a good way to influence serotonin action. Terpenes like linalool and alpha-pinene will affect GABA-A. This is the same receptor that alcohol affects. It is also the same receptor that benzodiazepines affect, and it is actually called the "benzo receptor." Alcohol and benzos all provide a pharmaceutical effect we can feel. That "feeling" translates to medical and pharmacological action. Linalool and alpha-pinene provide this same effect. Strains high in linalool and alpha-pinene can be used to replace alcohol or benzos and can be used to medicinally treat anything those drugs could be used for.

A terpene like limonene has very different actions. The therapeutic effects of limonene have been extensively studied, proving anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive, anticancer, antidiabetic, antihyperalgesic, antiviral, and gastroprotective effects, among other beneficial effects in health. Limonene affects the TRP channel, which has many actions of finer control, like inflammation, oxidative stress remediation, and many immune functions.

Every terpene in cannabis has medicinal properties and can be used in synergy with the major actions of the cannabinoids. This is how cannabis can be used to target and hone in on specific conditions. This will be an entire area of medicine and study in the future. There are millions of combinations of cannabis medicines based on the cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

At Truemedx Bioceuticals, we teach the basis of understanding of this Natural system of medicine God has given us with the cannabis plant. Find us and get educated!

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Key Ingredients:

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Why Less THC is Beneficial

While THC has therapeutic benefits, including pain relief and appetite stimulation, its psychoactive properties can lead to undesirable side effects such as anxiety and cognitive impairment. CBD and other cannabinoids can modulate these effects, reducing THC's potential for negative outcomes. For example, CBD can mitigate THC-induced anxiety. Additionally, the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes can be achieved without the psychoactive effects of THC, making non-THC cannabis products a safer alternative for many patients. Learn more:

• CBD shown to ease anxiety without the risks that can come with THC
• New Study Shows How Marijuana Compounds Like Cannabinoids, Terpenes And Flavonoids Interact For Medical Benefits
• What Are Cannabinoids? Benefits, Uses, and Risks

Conclusion

In conclusion, the combined effects of cannabinoids and terpenes can provide significant health benefits, often without the need for THC. This synergy allows for a wide range of therapeutic applications, from anxiety relief to neuroprotection, without the psychoactive effects associated with THC. Understanding and utilizing the entourage effect can lead to more personalized and effective treatments. For more information, visit:

• New Study Shows How Marijuana Compounds Like Cannabinoids, Terpenes And Flavonoids Interact For Medical Benefits
• The Health Benefits of Terpenes and Cannabinoids
• What Are Cannabinoids? Benefits, Uses, and Risks

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Curious if cannabinoids and terpenes are right for you or your patients and clients? Schedule a personalized Consult with Chip