A Cure Right Under Your Nose?
From improving mood to fighting MRSA — one of the most feared and hard-to-treat bacterial infections — the effects of the cannabinoid THC and the citrusy terpene, L-limonene, offer some serious benefits. The best part is that they are already found in nature together in the cannabis plant. Learn more about how these strains of cannabis may be a powerful choice in your therapy.
Working together, THC and L-limonene create an entourage effect. While THC is currently extracted and used in pharmaceuticals for certain illnesses, scientists and medical professionals are beginning to understand that in many cases, the cannabis plant works better for patients when kept in its natural state.
Results are promising as people are experiencing for themselves that cannabis has huge potential to fight some of the worst illnesses of our time — including cancer and antibiotic resistant infections like MRSA.
THC already has been shown to offer promising results for a variety of issues including gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, cancer, migraines, and more. Terpenes bring benefits to the table that were previously overlooked.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are what makes plants like pine trees, citrus fruits, lavender, and cannabis have scent. The oils are produced by the plant right alongside cannabinoids like THC. The many different strains of cannabis are in part due to the varying effects of different types of terpenes. Terpenes also give us clues into the benefits of a certain strain as well. From relaxing to invigorating, scent can alter our mood and even change our outlook on life!
For instance, a study that was published recently by the British Journal of Pharmocology showed that terpenes are very potent in their own right and can even affect behavior in a powerful way.
In one particular situation, patients who were hospitalized were exposed to the scent of citrus (L-limonene terpene) in the air, and the majority of the patients studied actually had successful discontinuation of antidepressant medication. They also exhibited improved results with Hamilton Depression Scores.
L-limonene was also mentioned in the study with its ability to produce apoptosis of breast cancer cells and radical scavenging properties to fight other types of cancer. Are we overlooking one of the most powerful treatments — literally right under our noses?
Although in some cases the benefits are still be studied, here are more ways that other terpenes and cannabinoids may work together. We’ll be focusing on more on these through the upcoming months — right here on the blog:
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Addiction
- Epilepsy
- Fungal infections
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anorexia
Want to learn more about what’s in the cannabis you’ve been prescribed? Find the strain that’s right for you and get empowered to make choices that work with the MyDx analyzer and sensor. Learn more at https://www.mydxlife.com/
Sources:
British Journal of Pharmacology: Russo, Ethan B. “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.” (2010): 1.
U.S. National Library of Medicine
