A question I get alot: “Do I need THC oil or can I just buy the CBD I see in stores?”
Answer: I’ll start by saying the quality of CBD you can find at retail stores (over-the-counter) is often questionable at best. Medicinal-grade full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil does work for some patients.But WHY does this particular oil work? Because it has a small amount of THC in it.
CBD on its own is usually ineffective for the patients I treat. Patients come to me and say they feel they have wasted their money or had incomplete symptoms relief with CBD they bought from a random store/online/friend. Why do I hear this so often?
*The Entourage Effect* is why.
The Entourage Effect is a well-accepted principle that the different chemical components of whole plant cannabis (eg cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids*) work better together and provide a synergistic effect. CBD actually works much better when combined with THC.
*So what are these? Here you go:
- Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis that interact with our body’s own endocannabinoid system. Examples of cannabinoids are THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, and CBC.
- Terpenes are organic compounds that give cannabis strains their own unique scent. Terpenes have an aromatherapy healing quality to them, and really good quality oils will preserve the terpenes which is why each cannabis oil/tincture smells differently. Pinene is the most common terpene which has a pine-like smell and has very strong anti-inflammatory properties. There has been a huge scientific push to study the intrinsic properties of terpenes. So the smell of cannabis is a good thing?? Right… 🙂
- Flavonoids are what gives color/pigment to plants and attracts insect pollinators for growth/reproduction. Flavonoids specific to cannabis are called cannaflavins. These carbon-based compounds provide flavor and are bioactive with antioxidant properties. So this is why different oils/tinctures have a unique taste.
Bottom line: Whole plant cannabis for the win!
Next up… The Endocannabinoid System
-Kristin Gore, MD
Southern Medical Therapeutics, Founder & Director
Southern Medical Therapeutics is a holistic medical clinic specializing in treatment plans incorporating low-dose THC oil located in Griffin, Georgia. Dr. Kristin Gore is a board certified Family Medicine physician with experience in global health/tropical medicine, urgent care, geriatric medicine, adolescent medicine, and pediatrics. She has completed several medical cannabis certification programs including the intensive horticulture and business program from Oaksterdam University, America’s first cannabis college, in order to serve her patients with the highest possible care.