Cannabis and adaptogenic herbs, a powerful combination
Adaptogen is a term for biologically active plant substances. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) currently classifies adaptogens as traditional herbal medicinal products.
Adaptogen is derived from the word "adapt," which means "to adapt." This is precisely what adaptogens can do. They are phytonutrients (secondary plant substances) found in plants, fungi, herbs, and spices, and they support the body in adapting to stressful situations.
They are rich in antioxidants. These are molecules that capture and neutralize free radicals in the body that are produced by metabolic processes or external influences. They protect cells and other structures from damage caused by oxidative stress. They have long been used to balance physical stress and support the ability to adapt to stress.
They are taken, among other things, as dietary supplements, such as ashwagandha and rhodiola. The traditional spice turmeric is also an adaptogen. It is said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The medicinal mushroom Cordyceps is said to have immune-boosting, detoxifying, antidepressant, and even aphrodisiac effects.
l ChineseProbably the best-known adaptogen is ginseng, which has been used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for thousands of years. The most common are Panax ginseng (also known as Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng), with the name "panax" translating from Greek as "cure-all." Acerola, elderflower, guarana, and rose hips are other well-known adaptogens. CBD is even one of them.
Cannabis and adaptogens have many similarities, which is one of the reasons they work well together. When you take a hit from a joint, the cannabinoids bind to receptors in the brain and body. They influence mood, appetite, and pain perception by interacting with these receptors without actually being absorbed into the bloodstream, as is the case with many other medications, such as opioids.
Adaptogens interact with these same receptors but are not absorbed by them. Instead, they enhance their response to other compounds, such as cannabinoids, allowing them to exert independent effects. In this way, adaptogens act as amplifiers, allowing more cannabinoids to reach the desired pathways faster than they could alone.
In the best case scenario, adaptogens ensure that the effects of cannabis are somewhat intensified. Under certain circumstances, they also act more quickly. Especially with medical cannabis, this property could improve treatments in many cases.
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Liz Filmer
