Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid‐terpenoid entourage effects

Summary & key facts

Some research suggests that whole-plant cannabis compounds (like THC, CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids) can interact so the plant’s effects differ from CBD alone. Healthline explains three CBD types — full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate — and notes legal, safety, and labeling limits. The article says there is evidence for these “entourage” interactions, but the science is not settled and nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved.

Key facts:

• The term “entourage effect” refers to the idea that cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC) plus terpenes and flavonoids may work together to change the plant’s effects.
• Healthline lists three types of CBD products: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.
• Full-spectrum CBD can contain all plant compounds, including a small amount of THC; hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC are treated as legal at the federal level under the 2018 Farm Bill.
• Broad-spectrum CBD may contain many plant compounds but usually only trace amounts of THC or none at all.
• CBD isolate is meant to be only CBD, but some isolate products can still contain trace THC that could show up on a drug test.
• The article notes specific phytocannabinoids beyond CBD and THC — such as tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC) — as having effects of therapeutic interest, according to cited research.
• Healthline warns that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved and that some products may be inaccurately labeled.
• The article cites safety concerns for certain use methods: inhaling vaping liquids has been linked to outbreaks of lung injury in past reports.

Abstract

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been the primary focus of cannabis research since 1964, when Raphael Mechoulam isolated and synthesized it. More recently, the synergistic contributions of cannabidiol to cannabis pharmacology and analgesia have been scientifically demonstrated. Other phytocannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabivarin, cannabigerol and cannabichromene, exert additional effects of therapeutic interest. Innovative conventional plant breeding has yielded cannabis chemotypes expressing high titres of each component for future study. This review will explore another echelon of phytotherapeutic agents, the cannabis terpenoids: limonene, myrcene, α-pinene, linalool, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, nerolidol and phytol. Terpenoids share a precursor with phytocannabinoids, and are all flavour and fragrance components common to human diets that have been designated Generally Recognized as Safe by the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies. Terpenoids are quite potent, and affect animal and even human behaviour when inhaled from ambient air at serum levels in the single digits ng·mL(-1) . They display unique therapeutic effects that may contribute meaningfully to the entourage effects of cannabis-based medicinal extracts. Particular focus will be placed on phytocannabinoid-terpenoid interactions that could produce synergy with respect to treatment of pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, fungal and bacterial infections (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Scientific evidence is presented for non-cannabinoid plant components as putative antidotes to intoxicating effects of THC that could increase its therapeutic index. Methods for investigating entourage effects in future experiments will be proposed. Phytocannabinoid-terpenoid synergy, if proven, increases the likelihood that an extensive pipeline of new therapeutic products is possible from this venerable plant. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue-7.

Topics

Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Biochemistry Cannabidiol Cannabinoid Cannabis Chemistry Dronabinol Effects of cannabis Hallucinogen Medicine Pharmacology Psychiatry Receptor Terpenoid