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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...
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Benefits of Micro-dosing Edibles
Let us first start by explaining what micro-dosing 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 perfection point. One can do this by only taking 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. Micro-dosing 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 micro-dosing requires discipline, patience and mindfulness. Finding your Minimum Effective Dose - MED 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 this wonderful anti-inflammatory, relaxing properties with little to no side effects in small amounts. In large amounts, there is the possibility of unwanted effects of being too altered. Many people who try edibles for the first time become overwhelmed by the experience. That is because everyone has a different tolerance level. For example, a 10 mg piece of chocolate will affect each person differently. Also, edibles are much different than smoking cannabis. Why do cannabis edibles feel so different? The human body processes cannabis through the liver and GI tract. The effects of the potent metabolic byproduct are called 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound resulted in a faster onset and a more intense psychoactive experience than simply THC. Micro-dosing 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 micro-dosing cannabis typically start with about 2.5mg or less. One can start with various teas, mints or chocolates with THC concentrations starting at 2.5 milligrams suitable for micro-dosing. It can take over an hour to feel some edibles' effects, so I suggest waiting a day and trying an increased amount the following day. The reason is that some edibles if taken properly, like a tincture, can be held under the tongue goes directly into the bloodstream. Simultaneously, others are digested in the stomach and can take hours to feel the effects depending on a person's digestive system. So it is important when micro-dosing to chart the amount and wait for results. Cannabis is a medicine that should be tailored to each patient’s individual make-up. Not all people are the same, and not all products are created equal. Cultivate an understanding of your endocannabinoid system by keeping a journal to track the cannabis farmer or grower, 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 experience when micro-dosing. Such as your nutrition, hydration, environment or even state of mind. 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. For those cannabis connoisseurs, micro-dosing can help you identify the perfection point 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 edibles to achieve any helpful high than you once did. You have built a tolerance to the effect and may need to take a small break. If this is the case, you can try to reset your tolerance to the effects of cannabis products by micro-dosing. The length of a tolerance break depends on your consumption patterns. In general, it works to stop or slow down consumption for 48 hours. After that time frame, you can start again with small doses of 1 to 2 mg of THC slowly building yourself back up. I encourage my patients to do this at least once a month to reset their tolerance levels. Micro-dosing 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 micro-dosing – 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 have seen success with micro-dosing: • 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 Micro-dosing can help people get therapeutic effects of cannabis without achieving a heavy, uncomfortable altered state and generally feel more comfortable with cannabis products. Micro-dosing can also help one achieve the perfect amount for their specific healing process. If you or someone you know requires help or would like more information, contact your Cannabis Therapy Consultant for more guidance. 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.  When creating edibles, the exciting but sometimes challenging part of the process is making sure each edible has the correct dosage. Many of us want them to be consistent in strength across the batch. Here are some tips and tricks that may help beginners ensure they’re calculating the correct amount for themselves.
FIRST THINGS FIRST – make sure you know the percentage of THC in the strain you plan to cook with. Many recipes call for strains that are about 10 percent THC. Strains that have 15-20 percent THC are above average, and those with 21 percent THC or higher are exceptionally strong. If you can’t find plant breeding information or cannabinoid lab tests for your strain, estimate at 15 percent THC to be safe. You can always eat more later. For every gram of cannabis, the flower has 1000 mg of dry weight. If a strain has 10 percent THC, then 10 percent of 1000 mg would be 100 mg. For cooking at home, it’s safe to assume that one gram of cannabis contains at least 100 mg THC. Using this dosage measurement method, calculate THC per serving. Take the amount of ground cannabis, convert it to milligrams, and divide it by the recipe yield to determine a per-serving dose of THC. A starting dosage for beginners is 5 mg per serving (this is the California-mandated serving size for cannabis-infused edibles as of January 1, 2018). Three grams of ground cannabis equal 300 mg THC. Three hundred mg divided by the recipe yield (if a cookie recipe makes 60 cookies) equals 5 mg per cookie. If you want to be even more cautious with your homemade cannabis butter or oil, use half the dosage (2.5 mg per serving). There are various options for adding your cannabis butter, coconut oil or even concentrate into your edible for easy dosage. In this writers opinion, below are three of the best ways to add THC with the proper dosage for cannabis butter or oil. 1. Try it yourself Personally sampling the cannabutter to figure out the effects is the best way to start. Typically, I’ll try about half a teaspoon of my cannabutter on an evening or day when I don’t have anywhere to be. I usually put it in a turmeric tea or coffee, but you can use it on whatever type of dish you’d normally garnish with butter. I find this to be a really good gauge of strength. 2. Think about your serving size This works in combination with tip number one. Once you’ve determined how much cannabis butter or oil makes an effective dose, you can easily figure out how much to include in a recipe. For example, let’s say I’m making brownies and want nine servings. If I’ve determined that 1.5 teaspoons per serving is a good dose, then I need to use 13.5 teaspoons, or about 4.5 tablespoons, for the entire recipe. In this case, I’d use five tablespoons of cannabis butter or oil. If the recipe calls for more fat, I’ll make up the difference with regular unsalted butter or coconut oil. 3. Apply individually This tip is particularly helpful if you’re making a “mixed” batch of goodies – i.e., some infused, some not. If this is the case, I suggest apportioning your cannabis butter or oil individually. Let’s imagine you’re making cupcakes. First, make the batter according to the recipe (without fat). Then, once the batter is apportioned into the individual cups (but before baking) spoon a portion of cannabis butter or oil into the center of as many of the cups as you like. Bake according to the recipe instructions, and you’ll end up with some cannabis edibles and some plain cupcakes. You don’t actually have to bake with your cannabis butter or oil; you can melt it and drizzle it on top of a finished food item. If you’ve made an amazing pineapple turnover that you just know could be improved with the addition of THC, you can simply dribble it on at the end. Whatever you choose, make it with love. Try it out, and remember that everyone has different tolerance levels, so making the perfect batch for you is what you’re going for. 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 I am a huge advocate of the hemp seed. I use these little nuggets of joy for basically everything from smoothies, to pesto, to combining it with my raw cacao chocolate. So of course, I was thrilled to know that this month I would be asked to write a little ditty about the nutritional benefits and all the ways it can be used… So here we go…
First off lets start by explaining something…hemp seeds are of course produced from the hemp plant, Cannabis Sativa. While, as you know, hemp is commonly confused with marijuana, as it belongs to the same family, the two plants are quite different. Most notable is the level of THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Hemp contains less than 1% of the psychoactive drug while marijuana contains up to 20% or more. To grow marijuana you have to have a special seed that grows a plant high in THC. Commercial hemp seed contains very low amounts, plus they contain a substance that counteracts THC. So whats so good about the hemp seed then? Well they are very easily digested by the body and is one of the most nutritious foods available in nature. They contain high amounts of essential fatty acids, essential amino acids and proteins. Which if you have a vegan or raw food diet, you understand the importance of consuming the highest amount of amino acids for they are the building blocks of protein. These essential amino acids include: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine. So evidence suggests, to me, the fact that these little seeds are of such high vibration and with them we can sustain our dietary needs, even if you just add them to your already existing diet. Top your stir-fry with them tonight. Hemp contains: *All 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce. (Thats pretty for real. Only comparable to MACA, really?) *A high protein percentage of the simple proteins that strengthen immunity and fend off toxins. (Well thats nice.) Also, studies in the recent past have shown that consuming hemp seeds whether raw or in oil form, has the capacity to aid in the healing process of diseases related to immune deficiency. *Nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acid, with more essential fatty acid than flax or any other nut or seed oil. (Mind officially blown, WOW) *A perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid – those are known for cardiovascular health and general strengthening of the immune system. *A superior vegan/raw/vegetarian source of protein considered easily digestible. *A rich source of phytonutrients, the disease-protective element of plants with benefits protecting your immunity, bloodstream, tissues, cells, skin, organs and mitochondria. *The richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. So besides the bulleted list of all the nutritional facts did you also know that the protein content of the hemp seed is supposed to be very digestible. Many people noted their personal experience of finding that hemp seed protein did not cause bloating or gas, like some of their whey, or other protein shakes did. And, unlike soy which has super high amounts of phytic acid (that anti-nutrient that prevents us from absorbing minerals), hemp seed doesn't contain phytic acid. At the very least, this makes hemp seed a step up from soy. One of the most important hemp seed benefits is its high quantity of proteins. Moreover, there are a range of vitamins and minerals in hemp seeds, besides omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are not synthesized by the human body naturally, and this is what makes hemp seeds an excellent food source of essential fatty acids. If you want to keep your heart healthy, you should try and consume a lot of hemp seeds, as they are rich in essential fatty acids. You can reduce the chances of a fatal cardiac arrhythmia or a heart attack if you substitute saturated fats with foods like hemp seeds, as they contain healthy fats. Moreover, it produces phytosterols, which help in reducing the amount of cholesterol in the body, thereby removing fat buildup in the arteries. Hemp seeds contain the perfect balance of essential amino acids for sustaining good health. Hemp seed oil contains necessary fatty acids, also known as good fats. Not only can hemp seeds provide valuable nutritional benefits to people, but they can also be used in pet foods and taste good too.Hemp seeds are high in nutritional value and contain 20 different varieties of amino acids and all nine of the essential amino acids (like flax). Some essential amino acids can't be naturally produced by the body and these seeds have the capacity to supplement them in the body. They contain high amounts of protein, which helps in strengthening the immune system, thereby, reducing the instances of diseases, besides helping in excreting toxins from the body. There is no other food substance which contains such high quantities of essential fatty acids found in hemp seeds, higher than even flaxseed and other nut or seed oil as well as containing high amounts of vitamin E and trace minerals. It has a balanced ratio of omega 3 to 6 fats at around a three to one ratio. This won't help correct your omega balance if it's off, but it gives you the right balance to start with. Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, CNHP Nutritionist, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, Holistic Health Naturopath All information in this article is for educational purposes only. Please check with your Educated Primary Health Care Physician, Raw Food Nutritionist or Holistic Care Provider before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change. ~Dr. Pepper Hernandez  There are common herbs that work really well on their own for many different alignments or discomforts but did you know that there are some that work really well with cannabis. Let us take a look at my top five I highly suggest to use in tinctures, salves and/or tea brews. Cannabis and Lavender It is common knowledge that Lavender is a relaxing herb, but did you know how well it works with an Indica? Besides the fact that they both have a pleasant scent and are great in aromatherapy and massage, Lavender and Cannabis have something else in common. They are both abundant in the terpene linalool. A terpene is a fancy word for an aroma molecule. Which when combined with THC, linalool has potential as a muscle relaxant. Which of course is amazing that it would magnify the potency of Lavender right!?! When combined with CBD, linalool heightens the cannabinoid’s anti-convulsant properties. On its own, linalool has anti-inflammatory properties. So that means that they both also reduces sensitivity to pain. Nice! If you’re making a cannabis topical, adding in a little Lavender oil may assist the relaxing and pain reducing qualities of the herb. You can also add Lavender into edibles or Cannabis tea to get the max benefits of both herbs. And who doesn't love some Raw Cannabis Lavender chocolate… Cannabis and Rosemary Did you know that Rosemary, Cannabis, and Black Pepper all contain a terpene called beta-caryophyllene (BCP). Recent research has found that this terpene interacts with cannabinoid receptors. Which is why some of the heavy duty players in the CBD world are using black pepper to make CBD more readily available to the system. Anyhow, this specific binder which is called beta-caryphyllene, when it is added to a cell receptor called the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) it magically helps regulate immune function and inflammation. There is specific evidence that BCP can relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. We all know how good Rosemary is for mood, stress, blood flow and memory. Can you image the potency of mixing them together? So, maybe try adding plenty of Rosemary and Black Pepper into your infused goodies. It is a great way to amplify the therapeutic effects of all three of these herbs. Cannabis and Holy Basil The plant Tulsi, commonly known as Holy Basil is another stress-reliever. You can make a simple extract of this herb by cooking it in oil similarly as you would when making Cannabis oil. This can be applied topically for pain if you choose to make a salve out of it. For a yummy salve try avocado oil as the base. The combination of Cannabis, specifically one with high amounts of THCa, and Holy Basil have been know to help with anxiety and stress-reduction. Properties in Holy Basil has been found to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels. As a human nowadays we could all benefit from creating a self care regiment of stress relief. Cannabis and Echinacea Another amazing herb Echinacea, contains compounds that are similar to CBD in some functions. These compounds are called N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), they interact with the enzyme which breaks down endocannabinoids in the body. So, with a Cannabis combo it can improve the endocannabinoid tone. Certain N-alkylamides in Echinacea also engage the CB2 receptor. Which of course is a total plus. These are cannabimimetic compounds. Meaning that these compounds are like cannabinoids and engage the endocannabinoid system. Echinacea is often used for the common cold to boost the immune system and we now know that Cannabis does the same. Boosting your immune system helps to fend off infection. Echinacea is also thought to reduce inflammation and act as an antioxidant. The herb may have pain-relieving effects as well. So combining it with a nice Indica based CBD could do wonders, especially as a tincture. While it’s best to chat with an herbalist or professional before consuming high quantities of any medicinal herb, incorporating more plants into your life is a wonderful way to promote abundant health. Cannabis and Black Cohosh This one is for all of the menopausal ladies out there. Thank goodness Cannabis has potential in easing mood swings and hot flashes during menopause, so does Black Cohosh. This herb is known to promote balance in the endocrine system, which regulates hormones. For those women who are looking for a natural hormone regulator you should check into the research. Black Cohosh contains a phytoestrogen, which is thought to naturally replace some of what is lost during the menopausal period. You can find it commonly used as an extract, which you can drop under your tongue or mix into a drink. Black Cohosh would be such an nice additive to your favorite cannabis tincture too. Black Cohosh is known to enhance the endocannabinoid system, which is partly regulated by estrogen. Though, it would be smart to check with a herbalist, cannabis therapist or naturopathic doctor before experimenting with that herb combination. So in closing I hope you have some really good ideas of what to try right out of the garden and of course there are many other herbs that work well with cannabis so do your research. Enjoy! Until next time…Go forth, Go Cannabis… Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, CNHP Nutritionist, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, Holistic Health Naturopath All information in this article is for educational purposes only. Please check with your Educated Primary Health Care Physician, Raw Food Nutritionist or Holistic Care Provider before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change. ~Dr. Pepper Hernandez |
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