Cannabinoid Combinations to Combat Stress

The Entourage Effect: How a Combination of CBD, THC and CBG Could Naturally Calm Anxiety and Stress

If you're one of the millions who struggle with anxiety and stress, you've likely explored many avenues to find relief. From prescription medications to counseling and lifestyle changes, managing these mental health issues is an uphill battle. However, an emerging body of research suggests that cannabis, and specifically the combined effects of its major compounds CBD, THC and CBG, could provide a natural and potentially powerful solution through what's known as the "entourage effect."

What is the Entourage Effect?

The entourage effect is a theory that proposes the compounds in cannabis work better together than any single compound alone. This synergistic relationship allows the various cannabinoids, terpenes and other constituents to modulate and amplify each other's therapeutic benefits.

While more research is still needed, early evidence indicates that the entourage effect produced by combining THC, CBD and CBG in particular could be highly effective for reducing anxiety and stress levels. Let's take a closer look at these three key cannabis compounds:

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive compound in cannabis that has gained immense popularity for its perceived therapeutic benefits. Numerous studies have shown that CBD may help alleviate anxiety by positively interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain.

A 2015 analysis of existing research published in Neurotherapeutics concluded that "current evidence indicates CBD has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders." Other research has found CBD can reduce stress levels in animals and alter conditioning behaviors related to stressed responses.

THC

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis responsible for the "high" sensation. However, research also indicates THC, when taken in controlled doses and combined with the right blend of other cannabinoids, can reduce anxiety and stress.

A 2017 study published in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences found that THC at lower doses helped reduce stress by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. And a 2019 study in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research suggested low doses of THC combined with CBD could potentially help alleviate symptoms of chronic stress.

CBG

CBG, or cannabigerol, is a lesser-known but potentially highly therapeutic cannabinoid found in cannabis. While research is more limited, some studies indicate CBG may help alleviate anxiety, inflammation, nausea and other conditions by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid receptors.

A 2011 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that CBG demonstrated anti-depressant qualities in mice that could translate to anti-anxiety benefits in humans. CBG may also enhance and amplify the anxiolytic effects of CBD and THC through the entourage effect.

The Power of the Trio: CBD, THC and CBG 

While CBD, THC and CBG each show promise individually for reducing anxiety and stress, the key may lie in combining the three through cannabis products containing a full or broad spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes.

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research looked at the entourage effects of CBD, THC and terpenes on stress levels in mice. The researchers found that test subjects given this cannabinoid-terpenoid combination demonstrated significantly reduced behavioral stress compared to either CBD or THC alone.

Another 2020 study published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research explored how CBD, CBG and other compounds interact through the endocannabinoid system to potentially relieve depression and anxiety.

"The interactions of CBD, CBG and other phytocannabinoids and terpenoids present in cannabis extracts may produce an 'entourage effect' capable of preventing and treating several pathological conditions," wrote the researchers.

While much more research is still needed, initial evidence strongly suggests that the entourage effect produced by combining CBD, THC, CBG and other compounds could unlock the true therapeutic potential of cannabis as a natural way to calm anxiety and stress.

Natural, Precise and Personalized Relief Beyond its potential therapeutic benefits, using cannabis containing CBD, THC and CBG to address anxiety and stress could offer several key advantages compared to mainstream treatments:

• Natural plant-based compounds with potentially fewer side effects
• Precise adjustable dosing to achieve desired anti-anxiety effects
• Personalized strain selection and cannabinoid-terpenoid combinations
• Options for ingestion methods besides smoking or vaping

Of course, cannabis is not a cure-all and the quality, ratios and delivery methods of CBD, THC, CBG and other components will significantly impact the efficacy and side effects. But many suffering from anxiety and stress are exploring cannabis as a natural, personalized alternative or complementary therapy to conventional treatments.

The entourage effect of combining multiple therapeutic cannabinoids like CBD, THC and CBG shows immense promise as an avenue to naturally address the debilitating impacts of anxiety and stress. As research continues to unlock the full potential of these compounds working together, cannabis-based therapies could revolutionize how we holistically treat these prevalent mental health conditions.

If you feel this is a fit for you, please give our Mr. Moxey’s Relief a try. Satisfaction guaranteed.

References:

Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1

Rock, E. M., Bolognini, D., Limebeer, C. L., Cascio, M. G., Anavi-Goffer, S., Fletcher, P. J., Mechoulam, R., Pertwee, R. G., & Parker, L. A. (2012). Cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic component of cannabis, attenuates vomiting and nausea-like behavior via indirect agonism of 5-HT(1A) somatodendritic autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus. British journal of pharmacology, 165(8), 2620–2634. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01621.x

Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2015). Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in Cannabidiol. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 6, 75-85. doi: 10.4236/pp.2015.62009.