What Does Full Spectrum Mean? – Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and the Entourage Effect
If you are one of the many people trying out cannabis, you have probably come across a variety of terms. What does full spectrum mean? What do terpenes mean? What does entourage effect mean? All have different uses and benefits and most people don’t really know the difference.
As the global cannabis industry continues to mature, it is still common to hear a wide variety of terms used to describe and/or classify different extracts and compounds used in the manufacturing of medical and other consumer cannabis products.
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COMMON TERMS FOR CANNABIS MEDICINE INGREDIENTS |
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Full Spectrum Broad Spectrum Full Form |
Vijaya Extract Crude Oil Extract Hemp Oil Extract |
CBD Isolate THC Distillate Synthetic Cannabinoids |
A full-spectrum cannabis product refers to products manufactured using an extract that contains the entire spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals contained within the cannabis cultivar(s) used to create the extract. While individual cannabinoids have been shown to be effective in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, medical cannabis products that use isolated cannabinoids alone do not necessarily have the same treatment potentials as products containing a full-spectrum cannabis extract.
Prior to the introduction of regulated cannabis medicine products that can provide detailed chemical content information, it was common for patients to seek out full-spectrum products simply based on consistent anecdotal accounts of their potential for greater efficacy.
THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT
Research is still ongoing, however there is support for the use of full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines over the use of isolated THC or CBD extracts. Studies have shown that the combined use of the different cannabinoids, terpenes, and cannabis-based phytochemicals can result in emergent properties not otherwise observed when consuming isolated extracts. This can result in a synergistic amplification of effects and expansion of potential therapeutic applications.
CANNABINOIDS – COMBINED EFFECT & SYNERGIES
Over 140 cannabinoids can be found within the cannabis plant. By utilizing full-spectrum based cannabis medicines, patients can benefit from all of the cannabinoids found within the cultivar(s) used in the extraction process. Not only does this allow for the potential therapeutic benefits of each cannabinoid individually, it can also lead to additional benefits seen only when used together. Studies have shown that the effective dosage for both THC and CBD can be reduced when they are used together. Research has also shown that CBD can help limit the intensity of the intoxicating effects of THC, preventing some patients from experiencing an unwanted ‘high’.
TERPENES – A THERAPEUTIC CLASS OF THEIR OWN
Terpenes are essential oil compounds excreted through glands of the plant and are responsible for the diverse range of scents and flavours found in cannabis. Terpenes are also responsible for some of the differing effects experienced when using various cannabis products, such as whether they feel stimulating or sedating. Over 200 terpenes have been identified in cannabis alone.
Terpenes have been shown to have their own therapeutic potentials such as:
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Alertness |
Analgesic |
Anti-Anxiety |
Antiacne |
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Antibacterial |
Antibiotic |
Anticarcinogenic |
Anticonvulsant |
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Antifungal |
Anti-Inflammatory |
Antimalarial |
Antimicrobial |
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Antioxidant |
Antiseptic |
Antitumor |
Anxiolytic |
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Appetite Suppressant |
Bronchodilator |
Depression Relief |
Elevated Mood |
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Gastroprotective |
Memory Retention |
Muscle Relaxant |
Sedation |
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Stress Relief |
Ulcer Improvement |
Beyond the potential therapeutic effects of terpenes themselves, they can also have the benefit of added synergistic effects when combined with cannabinoids. For example, myrcene can assist cannabinoids such as THC and CBD in passing across the brains protective blood-brain barrier, thus increasing their interaction potentials.
To begin your cannabis medicine journey today, book an appointment now with the Savikalpa Virtual Clinic for an online doctor consultation, or request more information from a member of our highly trained clinic staff (eclinic@savikalpa.com).
We pride ourselves on being one of India’s most qualified sources of fast, friendly, and professional access to cannabinoid medicine online!
Interested in learning more? Send us your questions (eclinic@savikalpa.com). It is our mission to educate patients in any way we can, and we would be delighted to hear from you.
Research regarding cannabis, terpenes and the entourage effect:
- Synergy research: approaching a new generation of phytopharmaceuticals https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19211237/
- Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21749363/
- Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5719112/
- The 'entourage effect' or 'hodge-podge hashish': the questionable rebranding, marketing, and expectations of cannabis polypharmacy https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32116073/
- The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334252/
- Upper airway and pulmonary effects of oxidation products of (+)-alpha-pinene, d-limonene, and isoprene in BALB/c mice https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12122569/
- d-Limonene modulates inflammation, oxidative stress and Ras-ERK pathway to inhibit murine skin tumorigenesis https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0960327111434948
- Linalool and β-pinene exert their antidepressant-like activity through the monoaminergic pathway https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024320515001381?via%3Dihub
- Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711304701804?via%3Dihub
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