“The Happy Chef” [Chapter Two, The Herb]
“Any single chemical in isolation does not perform in the same way that a substance will when associated with other chemicals found in the original, natural source”. (What we used to call synergy in the old days.)
“Most cannabis today is bred to contain a disproportionately large amount of THC compared to the other compounds. THC is a powerful psychoactive agent, antispasmodic, analgesic, muscle relaxant, and neuro-protective antioxidant that delivers twenty times the anti-inflammatory strength of aspirin and twice the strength of hydrocortisone.”
Cannabis Entourage Effect The interactive and therapeutic synergies of various compounds in marijuana is what scientists refer to as the “cannabis entourage effect.” The “entourage effect”, also called the “therapeutic ensemble”, was a phrase introduced in cannabinoid science in 1998 by S. Ben-Shabat with Raphael Mechoulam to represent the various amounts of isolated or combined cannabinoids and terpenoids useful in the treatment of a wide range of patient conditions. It’s defined as the broad-spectrum sense of wellness derived from consuming concentrated or an unaltered form of cannabis. Any single chemical in isolation does not perform in the same way that a substance will when associated with other chemicals found in the original, natural source. The three primary components of the marijuana chemical cocktail include CBD, THC and the phyto-cannabinoid group of terpenoids (the essential oils that give the flower it’s unique smell and help the cannabinoid express itself). CBD by itself performs differently than CBD in conjunction with THC, and both perform differently when in the presence of terpenoids. Marijuana’s effect and strength varies by strain based on the ratio of these three components. All the natural chemicals found in cannabis are ingested simultaneously utilizing the full spectrum of therapeutic compounds cannabis has to offer. This modern approach in the medicinal use of cannabis leverages the full potential of this chemical synthesis rather than reducing the naturally occurring pharmacology to a single component, which is known as “whole plant medicine.”
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