Over the years, the CBD-based medicines are getting momentum for promoting wellness and reducing the symptoms of various conditions.
However, a cannabis plant contains a wide range of therapeutic compounds called cannabinoids—of which CBD is one. It’s important to note that CBD is an important compound that works with many other compounds to produce healing effects.
Read along to learn why you should use the whole cannabis plant rather than just THC or CBD based medicines.
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CBD and THC-based products
CBD provides amazing therapeutic effects without getting people HIGH. It came to public attention for the first time in 2013 in a CNN documentary called Weed.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, CBD-based products are helpful in reducing seizures by more than 40%. In June 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol) [CBD] oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy.
On the other hand, THC-based medicines are synthetic forms of tetrahydrocannabinol—dronabinol and nabilone, which are usually prescribed for cancer-related nausea. But, the question is—is it effective?
According to a 2011 survey, researchers found that—of the 953 patients, only 1.8% preferred synthetic THC pharmaceuticals over inhaled or infused consumption methods.
Whole cannabis plant medicine
Whole plant medicines are the drugs that use all the therapeutic compounds found in the cannabis plant. While THC and CBD-only products provide ultimate relaxation and treat a wide range of conditions, consuming the whole plant can help you experience the real medicinal benefits.
According to a 2015 study, consuming the whole plant is better than single molecule CBD consumption. It was found that there was a small range in which CBD was helpful.
What’s the entourage effect?
As you know that cannabis contains thousands of cannabinoids, which work together to provide therapeutic effects to the body. However, THC and CBD are the two most researched cannabinoids. Apart from them, there are many other compounds such as cannabidiol, cannabicyclol, cannabielsoin, cannabigerol, cannabinol, cannabitriol, and cannabichromene.
There is a wide range of studies available on the synthetic versions of marijuana—CBD, but no one reflects the therapeutic potential that marijuana provides.
For example, in a British study, participants were given THC only for one day and then a combination of CBD and THC the very next day. One of the participants said that she felt horrible after using pure THC, but had great pleasure when after using the mixture of CBD and THC.
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, which nullifies the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol. This helps in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and paranoia, which people usually experience by consuming too much THC.
Cannabinoids and terpenes
The whole plant medicines provide great effects to the body, but studies show that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to provide more significant results.
According to a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, Ethan Russo explained how cannabis compounds influence each other’s mechanism. Not only the widely popular THC and CBD, but terpenes can also make significant effects.
Like, myrcene is helpful in reducing the resistance in the barrier between the blood and the brain. This improves the flow of important chemicals, thus improving the healing effects. Another terpene pinene is beneficial in counteracting cognition and memory, which are caused by THC. However, if you use a mixture of pinene, myrcene, and caryophyllene, it will help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. If you mix limonene and linalool with CBG, it will provide a promising treatment for MRSA.
To cover it up—terpenes are beneficial so as cannabinoids. But, when you consume the pure form of CBD, you may not be able to get all the therapeutic benefits (missing those created by the entourage effect). Thus, if you want to receive the real medicinal benefits, consume the whole plant.
However, always seek expert advice from a dispensary to make sure you get what’s right for your condition. To receive MMJ recommendation letter, consult with one of the 420 doctors in Riverside.