Do THC and CBD Combine More Therapeutic Benefits?

The term “entourage effect” is used a lot in cannabis news articles and doesn’t mean a group of people who love weed or are cannabis enthusiasts. The term is used to describe the synergy between the combination of different chemical combinations in cannabis.

The entourage effect is about the interaction between THC/CBD and other terpenes and cannabinoids.

The basic terms

cannabinoids

Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS): a system made up of chemical components called endocannabinoids and receptors in the body. These endocannabinoids and receptors help regulate various bodily functions, which include appetite, sleep, and pain.

THC is intoxicating. This is the cannabinoid that causes a “high” that many users feel after ingesting or inhaling cannabis. But CBD is non-intoxicating, which explains why it’s growing in popularity in the medical world. Many patients want to use cannabis for medicinal purposes, but don’t want to feel high.

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Now the question arises: Do THC and CBD offer a wider range of therapeutic applications? In some cases they work well together and you’ll soon find out why, as this is at the heart of the entourage effect.

terpenes

One of the things cannabis enthusiasts find exciting about weed is how aromatic it is; the aroma that hits your face and warms you when you open a cannabis container is simply delightful. Do you know what is responsible for the scent? Its terpenes!! Good old terpenes.

RELATED: The importance of terpenes in cannabis and their powerful health effects

Terpenes are the aromatic, flavor-rich compounds found in cannabis and other plants and spices, fruits, and herbs. From hints of pepper to lavender and even pine terpenes offer an explosion of flavors and aromas like no other compound can.

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In cannabis plants, terpenes grow in the plant’s resinous glands (these are called trichomes). The terpenes use their scents to protect the cannabis plant from predators, as most cannabis plants cannot handle the smell and taste of the plant.

Terpenes also embody therapeutic properties, which explains why users feel calm and almost sleepy after a cannabis shot. A prime example of this is the pinene terpenes found in pine trees: they reduce inflammation. The linalool terpenes found in lavender also provide anti-anxiety effects, and these are just examples of the therapeutic value of terpenes.

How the entourage effect works

We know that terpenes and cannabinoids have special effects on the human body, but what happens when you mix different cannabinoids or combine terpenes and cannabinoids?

As simple as the question sounds, the answer is not, meaning that the combination of CBD and THC does not mix the effects of either compound. Instead, CBD and THC can interact with each other and with other cannabinoids and terpenes to create a synergy called the entourage effect.

Some people wonder what blend of terpenes and cannabinoids is best for treating some health conditions. Cannabis got off to a much slower start due to longstanding societal stigma leading to prohibition. These years of stigma delayed research into entourage effects.

RELATED: Do I Really Need Both CBD and THC?

As such, not much is known about cannabinoids and terpenes that will make a good pair and deliver excellent results. Recently, some groundbreaking studies provide insight into how entourage affects both cannabinoids and terpenes. We will consider both chemicals separately.

Entourage effects with terpenes

dr Ethan Russo presented a landmark research paper titled Taming THC: Potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.

His work is crucial to understanding the entourage effect, and the summaries of his studies demonstrated the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids and terpenes.

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Each terpene differs in its chemical makeup, with each offering something different. Some cannabis strains also contain different terpenes, making it complicated to know which cannabinoid-terpene blend will produce an entourage effect.

RELATED: What Is Marijuana’s Entourage Effect, and Why Should You Care?

For example, argues Dr. Russo also states that the data shows that myrcene is the main sedative terpenoid in cannabis and when combined with THC will induce a form of the entourage effect. So if THC has some potential for an entourage effect when mixed with myrcene, one can only wonder what other types of combinations are possible.

Entourage effects with cannabis

A study on the effectiveness of THC in relieving cancer-related pain compared to the combination of CBD and THC uncovered something interesting. The results show that the combination of THC and CBD showed good potency, in contrast to THC used in isolation.

The results are exciting and promising because they provide additional evidence on how the entourage effect can combine different cannabinoids.

Aside from enhancing THC’s analgesic properties, CBD also produces another very enjoyable cannabinoid entourage effect. The results are seen in how it reduces the psychoactive effects of THC.

RELATED: How CBD blocks the paranoia and anxiety of marijuana’s THC

The process of how it works is also complex, as CBD indirectly interacts with your body’s CB1 receptors in a way that also affects THC’s ability to bind to receptors.

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It’s also important to remember some examples of the entourage effect when cannabinoids are combined. But most cannabis strains that are selectively bred are made to optimize THC and CBD levels. So very little is known about the other cannabinoid (there are more than 118 cannabinoids). This means there is much more potential for research into cannabinoids and terpenes as research continues on a large scale.

bottom line

One of the most striking things about the entourage effect is that it reinforces the idea that cannabis has a lot of potential. In the future and as we learn more about the cannabis plant, we will know if it offers users additional and impressive benefits.

We’ve discovered the value of CBD and THC separately, but now the world is eager to know, “How much more is there to discover with a CBD and THC combo?” The question will hopefully drive the extent of future research and testing that amplify the beneficial effects of the entourage effect.

People want more, and the tremendous interest in cannabis shows it.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.