 Oh, the wonderful world of cannabis. Let us start with terpenes, which are aromatic compounds found in every plant, including cannabis. We know that the cannabinoids, terpenes, craft cultivars have effects and potential healing abilities. There are hundreds of different terpenes and cannabinoid combinations in the cannabis plant. While each has its own benefits, together, they have the ability to make up a potent combo. Terpenes and cannabinoids are the most important determinants of a cannabis plant’s potential. Not only its taste and smell but its medicinal properties as well. When they come together in the molecular synergistic effect, know as the entourage effect, finding the right cultivar could improve the quality of your life and state of being. I am in hopes this column can help you do just that. So let's geek out together.
Alpha-pinene, sometimes referred to just as pinene or written α-pinene, is a terpene with the aroma of a fresh, earthy scent reminiscent of an evergreen tree pine forest. Besides cannabis, Alpha-pinene can be found in olive, parsley, dill, basil, rosemary, bergamot, and some citrus varieties. Alpha-pinene has a very unusual chemical structure. There are two identical versions, known as enantiomers. These are 3D mirror images of each other and identical. The two Alpha-pinene versions are known as (+) Alpha-pinene and (-) alpha-pinene, which you may have heard of when researching this particular terpene. Another member of the pinene family also exists, known as beta-pinene. It has a different structure but the same evergreen fresh pine scent. The distinction of Alpha -pinene vs. Beta -pinene really boils down to differences in sub-types of isomers. Which is very similar to the differences between THC and CBD. Alpha-pinene potential properties or effects may include:
All information in this article is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Educated & Trained Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change. Written by Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, Ph.D., CTC, CNHP in ECS & Naturopathic Medicine, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, The Founder and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute. To find out more about her Telemedicine Consultations, Educational Programs, YouTube videos, and other creative content, you can and find her on the massive inter-webs on all platforms or at drpepperhernandez.com.
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World of Cannabinoids and Terpenes
This month we are going to explore the dense and woody terpene Trans-nerolidol. This one is a secondary terpene found mostly in flowers like rose, jasmine, lemongrass, and tea tree oil. Most popular are the ginger and neroli essential oils in which trans-nerolidol is found. The smell of trans-nerolidol reminds me of a of a mixture between flowers, lemon and earthy aromas and can be described in general as woody, citrus and floral. The trans-nerolidol terpene has been known to be beneficial in combating pests that harm humans and plants. Nerolidol has, in some cases, been effective at warding off head lice, spider mites, parasites, and certain bacteria, and fungi, in addition to exhibiting a range of other potential benefits as a scent compound and a naturally occurring component of cannabis. Perhaps one of the most remarkably study that gives this more validity is the study done by the American Society of Microbiology under the Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherapy. Were trans-nerolidol was investigated for its ability to enhance bacterial permeability and susceptibility to exogenous antimicrobial compounds. That particular study shows that the introduction of “trans-nerolidol actually sensitizes infectious bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to antibiotics. In other words, trans-nerolidol can work together with antibiotics to destroy bacterial pathogens more effectively.” This is a power discovery because that means cannabis plants high in nerolidol could have this benefit as well if the cultivar contained enough of this terpene. Trans-nerolidol has been traditionally used for its relaxing, slightly sedative effects. Another study, which I found fascinating, was the one held by BMC Neuroscience. Their study found that “the neuroprotective effect of nerolidol is mediated through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which strongly supports its therapeutic potential for the treatment of Parkinson Disease.” Which again, is powerful information if you are growing craft boutique cannabis for wellness and specifically as a neuroprotectant. Trans-nerolidol’s potential effects include:
All information in this article is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change. Written by Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, Ph.D., CTC, CNHP in ECS & Naturopathic Medicine, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, The Founder and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute. To find out more about her Telemedicine Consultations, Educational Programs, YouTube videos, and other creative content you can and find her on the massive inter-webs on all platforms or at drpepperhernandez.com. Go forth, Go Cannabis... Benefits of Microdosing Edibles
Let us first start by explaining what Microdosing is. It's a technique that involves taking minimal amounts of cannabis on a disciplined regular schedule. The point of this activity is to find your body’s THC sweet spot. One can do this by only taking just enough THC to barely perceive the effects on your mind and body without getting too altered. Why would someone want to do this? If you are a newbie and want to get familiar with cannabinoids and or terpenes, this could be a preferred method for you. Microdosing helps people get the light, therapeutic effects of cannabis without achieving a heavy, uncomfortable high and feel more comfortable with the plant itself. The art of microdosing requires patience and mindfulness. Finding your Minimum Effective Dose MED Microdosing is the use of as little of a given compound as possible to achieve your desired effect. In this sphere of medicine, The MED [minimum effective dose] is something patients, and health care providers need more understanding of. Cannabis is biphasic, so you have these wonderful anti-inflammatories, relaxing properties with little to no side effects in small amounts. In large amounts, there is the possibility of unwanted side effects of being too altered. Many people who try edibles for the first time become overwhelmed by the experience. Everyone has different tolerance levels; a 10 mg piece of chocolate will affect one person differently. Microdosing with 2.5-milligram products allows the consumer to ingest the initial THC and then gradually eat more the following day until they find their preferred comfort level. Most people who are interested in microdosing cannabis typically start with about 2.5mg. Others have described starting with even smaller amounts, as little as 1mg One can start with various mints or chocolates with THC concentrations starting at 2.5 milligrams that are suitable for microdosing. Yet, it can take over an hour to feel the effects of some edibles. I suggest waiting a day and trying more the following day. The reason is that some edibles, if taken properly, like a tincture, can be held under the tongue. That hit the bloodstream right away, while others are digested in the stomach and can take hours to feel the effects of a person's digestive system. So if you choose to microdose chart the amount and wait for results, try it again with a larger amount 24 hours later. Edibles that allow users to control the dosage more accurately. When it comes to edibles, however, users should exercise caution. Untested edibles are especially unreliable in their ability to deliver a low dose of THC. One problem with edibles is when it takes for your body to feel high after digesting the THC. When you smoke, the THC is inhaled and instantly absorbed into your lungs; when THC is digested through the stomach, it can take up to two hours for the full effect to kick in. When THC is digested through the stomach, it can take up to two hours for the full effect to kick in. Cannabis is a bespoke medicine that should be tailored to each patient’s individual make-up. Cultivate an understanding of your endocannabinoid system by keeping a journal to track cannabis cultivar type, consumption method, dosage and side effects. Take your time and be patient when figuring out what dosage and consumption method works best for you. Be mindful of other elements that may impact the outcome of your high when microdosing. Such as your environment, state of mind, hydration and nutrition. As these can all affect your experience. Beneficial in Resetting Your Tolerance Like in all other forms of medicine, you want to treat yourself with the lowest effective dose. Microdosing will help you identify that sweet spot as you may need to reset your THC tolerance. Maybe you needed higher doses of THC for treating a past condition. Maybe you have to consume larger amounts of cannabis to achieve any helpful high because of your habitual consumption. Whatever the case, you can try to reset your tolerance to the effects of cannabis products. The length of a tolerance break depends on your consumption patterns. In general, it works to halt consumption for 48 hours. Start again with a shallow dose of 1 to 2 mg of THC. Micrdosing Studies on the Rise In Israel on July 1, 2020 PRNewswire.com -- Israeli med-tech company Syqe Medical has conducted the first clinical trial to demonstrate that extremely low and precise doses of inhaled THC – the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis – can effectively relieve pain while avoiding the common side effects associated with cannabis use. The study, published in the European Journal of Pain, is the first scientific confirmation that microdosing – the process of using extremely low doses of active drug compounds to treat various conditions – actually works with cannabis. According to GetFluent.com, medical card users with these conditions with success • Cancer • Epilepsy • Glaucoma • HIV/Aids • Seizures • Crohn’s Disease • PTSD •ALS • Chronic Muscle Spasms • Parkinson’s Disease • Multiple Sclerosis • Chronic Pain •Sleep Disorders • Tourette Syndrome • Autism • Anxiety Disorders All information in this article is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change. Written by Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, Ph.D., CTC, CNHP in ECS & Naturopathic Medicine, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, The Founder and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute. To find out more about her Telemedicine Consultations, Educational Programs, YouTube videos, and other creative content, you can find her on the massive inter-webs on all platforms or at drpepperhernandez.com. |
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