“Just chew two or three pieces of peppercorns for paranoia. I just found this out myself.” - Neil Young
It is becoming increasingly apparent, terpenes and other ingredients of medical alter the effect of THC. Weed that devoid of balancing terpenes and cannabinoids such as CBD, can cause anxiety and paranoia, rather than cure it. A simple home experiment by Neil Young, who is in his 60s discovered that the terpenes in black pepper stopped paranoia. Young's findings went viral and attracted attention to many studies about terpenes in marijuana, that were collecting virtual dust in the internet medical annals.....
There has been a lot of talk of late about the benefits of terpenes in marijuana, but practical information is scant about how the average marijuana user can benefit. The biggest issue for marijuana consumers is a side effect that THC can cause in some cases, even veteran users can suffer from time to time. While these effects are not known to be self harming and short lived, it is a feeling that patients can definitely do without.
Important Fact: Terpenes are Volatile and Oil Soluble. Cooking can negate their potency. Vape, transdermal application are acceptable delivery systems.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION - DISTILL THE SCIENCE
First, we look at the backbone research, peer reviewed papers, clinical and anecdotal evidence and then distill it down, reporting the fundamentals that the layperson-patient can understand. Brainiacs can refer to the further reading section at the end of this article to look at the original data themselves.
Important Fact: It is now known exactly how each terpene or mixtures interact with THC and the other cannabinoids, but researchers at the forefront find that natural mixtures enhance efficacy. Adding natural terpenes which are abundant in essential oils of all plants is about to become all the rage.
WORLD CLASS RESEARCH AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IN ISRAEL
Interestingly, in this bizarre paradigm, the US Federal government funded groundbreaking research by Dr. Mechoulam of Israel. The counter-intuitive part of the story is that, while the 30 years of research proved that cannabis medicines are extremely effective to treat a great number of cases, the powers that be, chose to to war against legalization full on.
In hindsight, the Fed's cannabis research money was well spent and the cause is benefiting now, the research findings are spreading across the world via the internet. The Israeli researchers were the first to discover that THC was the main psychoactive ingredient, and that it mimics the body's own chemicals that control receptors on cells throughout the body. That's right, marijuana research was the key, unlocking the secrets of how receptors on the cells work, to control almost every function and activity. If there were a conspirator against effective, cheap medicine, then you'd want to ban marijuana permanently.
BLACK PEPPER, THC AND THE ENTOURAGE EFFECTIn the case of black pepper, it's believed that the terpene beta-caryophyllene binds to the same cannabinoid receptors as THC but produces a counteractive reaction which is calming and blissful. Marijuana love, together forever, alone never. CBD, a non-psychoactive and but highly medicinal cannabinoid also activates another receptor (CB2) which dials down pain and anxiety as well.
"We discovered and named the entourage effect quite a few years ago. But it has never been investigated in a clinical trial. I believe that it is of value. But so is CBD alone." - direct quote of Raphael Mechoulam - What about Balanced Strains.
Phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effect, tames THC effects and helps the user cope with pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, fungal and bacterial infections. according to Dr. Ethan B. Russo - Taming THC report in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
“The gelotophyllis, ‘leaves of laughter, grows in Bactria and along the Borysthenes. If this be taken in myrrh and wine all kinds of phantoms beset the mind, causing laughter which persists until the kernels of pine- nuts are taken with pepper and honey in palm wine.” - Antiquity
Oh the other hand, some terpenes life Myrcene from mangoes seem to turbocharge THC, which could be a good or bad thing. Possible one's effective dose might be reduced.
MORAL OF THE STORY, TAKE PEPPERCORNS ONE HOUR BEFORE MEDICATING
"While working at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club I was able to teach some of the members about Black Pepper. While benefiting from the medicinal effects of THC, these patients suffered from bouts with anxiety while medicating. Most patients who have tried this simply took a few sniffs of the black pepper to receive an almost immediate effect. Others have reported that after chewing on pepper corns they felt relief within an hour." - Owen Smith
Terpenes present in Cannabis resin enhance the potency of THC. in an experiment that compared the subjective effects of 100 % THC to lesser amounts in terpene-infused Cannabis resin....the consensus was that terpene-infused resin with 50 percent THC was more potent than pure THC. This experiment failed to quantify the terpenes used and the exact nature of the effects. The lesson learned is just like all cannabinoids are not the same, each terpene has its own unique smell, flavor and properties.
TERPENES IN A WORD
Alpha-pinene - alert
Limonene - happy
Beta-myrcene - sedating
Pinene - balancing
Myrcene - taming (THC)
Beta-caryophyllene - no-pain
Interestingly, Calamus root high in myrcene is quoted in the literature as an effective way to medicate with high amounts of THC and not get scary stupid stoned.
“Cannabis terpenoids and flavonoids may also increase cerebral blood flow, enhance cortical activity, kill respiratory pathogens, and provide anti-inflammatory activity.”- Ed Rosenthal
It was discovered that beta-caryophyllene activates the CB2 receptor acting as non-psychoactive anti-inflammatory. Now that the medicinal value of terpenes is coming to the forefront, cannabis growers are starting to pay attention in the curing process and dry at lower temperatures - which preserves the terpenes.
Interesting Fact: Many terpenes are FDA approved and their properties are well known.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF SELECTED TERPENES IN CANNABIS
MMJDOCTORONLINE Notes: Get your 420 medical marijuana permits online in minutes - Doctor's Recommendations, Grow Permit, Cannabis ID Card. Anyone that consumes marijuana want's to get a legal doctor's recommendation for medical cannabis.
The most potent, lab tested and medicinal strains require a 420 recommendation or Cannabis ID. The alternative is to buy street weed, that can contain god knows what, sprays, mold, and the potency / quality is a crap shoot. Then there is the issue of dealing with seedy characters and law enforcement, both types of people you probably want to avoid like the plague.
Important Fact: Terpenes are Volatile and Oil Soluble. Cooking can negate their potency. Vape, transdermal application are acceptable delivery systems.
Interesting Fact: Many terpenes are FDA approved and their properties are well known.
