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The Entourage Effect

The Entourage Effect

If you’re new to cannabis, you may not know about THC, CBD, and terpenes, but they’re an integral part of the cannabis plant that all novice and expert consumers can learn about. Even if you’re just entering the cannabis world, it’s likely you’ve heard about various ratios. But the real question is: why do so many cannabis enthusiasts care about ratios? Different cannabinoids (THC, CBD, THCa, etc.) are thought to work in tandem when consumed—a process known as the entourage effect. The cannabis Entourage Effect is the idea that various compounds found in the cannabis plant act in synergy together, and that they can have unique effects when used together compared to isolated compounds. What is the Entourage Effect? The Entourage Effect is the concept that molecules that occur together in nature may interact in a way that creates unique outcomes. With cannabis, this means that capturing a broad range of plant compounds may be different from consuming isolated cannabinoids. Cannabis contains many interesting compounds such as terpenes, cannabinoids, cannabinoid acids, as well as phytonutrients. These molecular compounds are also naturally found in other plants and insects. Terpenes are just one aspect of the cannabis plant: the natural oils which are accompanied by a distinct aroma and viscosity. Terpenes and cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC) may interact to produce unique experiences. Lab and user-based studies reveal that while CBD or THC can work independently, they can often create different outcomes when taken in combination. Entourage Effect with CBD & THC When you choose a specific ratio, especially with naturally occurring terpenes, these combinations have the potential to create distinct experiences. The Entourage Effect is one of the leading theories influencing cannabis research worldwide. Some research suggests that terpenes, for example, can influence how cannabinoids interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, and that some combinations may produce varied effects. This is what the Entourage Effect is all about! The way CBD and THC work together is why our products may complement your wellness goals. Just like a great teammate, these two cannabinoids can work together to offer a broad experience. It should be noted that everyone’s body is different, so a 1:3 CBD:THC ratio might be preferred by one person, whereas another might favor a 3:1 CBD:THC ratio or a 30:1 CBD:THC ratio. CBD may influence the experience of THC, creating options for different preferences. The Endocannabinoid System & Entourage Effect The endogenous cannabinoid system, also known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS), is involved in physiological processes including appetite, mood, and memory. The ECS consists of two primary cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors (most concentrated in the central nervous system and brain) and CB2 receptors (abundant in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and peripheral nervous systems). The natural cannabinoids and phytonutrients found in cannabis can interact with these signal receptors of the ECS. Cannabinoids and naturally-occurring endocannabinoids interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout our bodies, much like a system of locks and keys. If you think of cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, or CBN as the keys, then the CB1 & CB2 receptors are the corresponding locks that they fit into. These interactions drive modern research into cannabinoids and will lead to future discoveries as research on the cannabis plant continues to grow. The effects of cannabinoids vary depending on the location of the cannabinoid receptors that they stimulate. These receptors are common in our limbic system (the part of the brain that affects memory, cognition, and psychomotor performance) and our mesolimbic pathway (associated with feelings of reward), and are also widely distributed throughout the body. Products that capture the whole essence of the plant and provide a full spectrum of the plant’s cannabinoids and natural terpene profile may have broad interactions with our endocannabinoid system. Whole Plant Full Spectrum™ Products Papa & Barkley is committed to creating wellness products that adhere to high quality standards. It is our belief that cannabis is an individualized experience. Different bodies may respond to different ratios of cannabinoids. We believe that optimal experiences can involve the use of both CBD, the non-intoxicating compound, and THC. Each person’s body and endocannabinoid system is unique, with different needs and receptors. Cannabis is not one-size-fits-all. We also believe that optimal effects may require the use of both CBD, the non-intoxicating compound in cannabis, and THC, its intoxicating component. Papa & Barkley offers a suite of products in different ratios, allowing you to select the best option for your personal preferences. At Papa & Barkley, we’re known for our award-winning Releaf Balm, but we’re so much more than that. The creation of our balm allowed us to branch out and create Whole Plant Full Spectrum™ cannabis wellness products that can complement your wellness routine. Looking for products to use after a workout? Try our Releaf Balm or Body Oil – the whole plant and essential oils are suitable for daily use. Want to unwind and support your wellness goals? We have a variety of ratio options in tinctures and capsules. Want to make your hike even better? Grab a gummy and hit the trail! No matter what you’re looking for, we’re here to support your wellness every day.

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Debunking Myths: Top 6 CBD Misconceptions & What You Need To Know

Debunking Myths: Top 6 CBD Misconceptions & What You Need To Know

Some of the information you may see online about CBD is more myth than fact. Here are the top 6 myths about CBD and the truth about them!

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Everything You Need to Know about THCa vs THC

Everything You Need to Know about THCa vs THC

THCa is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw cannabis and live cannabis plants. Unlike THC, it doesn’t produce a euphoric effect, but still has plenty of benefits.

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What Are the Benefits of THC?

What Are the Benefits of THC?

From pain relief to deeper sleep to better sex, here are the benefits of THC, a natural compound found in the cannabis plant

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CBD vs. THC: Which Is Right for Me?

CBD vs. THC: Which Is Right for Me?

Like all cannabinoids, THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. We know that our body creates endocannabinoids that plant-derived cannabinoids supplement in order to regulate appetite, pain, mood and energy. So which one is right for you?

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What Is a CBD Tincture: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

What Is a CBD Tincture: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

What Is A CBD tincture? CBD tinctures are liquid extracts that make dosing easy and convenient. Learn about CBD tincture uses, CBD tincture benefits, and dosage.

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How Going Solventless Better Protects Our Planet

How Going Solventless Better Protects Our Planet

If you’ve ever tried any of Papa & Barkley’s CBD and other wellness products, you already know that we’re big believers in the value of all-natural ingredients. If you look at what’s in our award-winning CBD Releaf Balm, for instance, you’ll see it contains things like beeswax, coconut oil, and tea tree oil. You’ll also see what it doesn’t contain: chemical solvents. What are solvents? In this context, solvents are chemicals commonly used to extract CBD from plants. While they’re effective at separating CBD and other compounds from cannabis, solvents can present environmental and production drawbacks as well. There’s a cleaner, more environmentally friendly way to achieve the same goal by relying on relatively simple solventless infusion equipment instead. This begs a question: Why would you use solvents in the first place? In today’s post, we’ll explore that topic and more. As you’ll learn, solvent-free CBD infusion may support environmental goals and is at the leading edge of functional extraction, allowing us to access more of the natural qualities of the cannabis plant without the use of added chemicals. Are you ready? Let’s dive in! Solvent Free CBD Extraction: Why It Matters If you’ve spent any time on our CBD 101 Blog, you know that CBD is a cannabinoid, or what you might think of as an innate “active ingredient” of the cannabis plant. CBD and other cannabinoids are commonly extracted and used in a wide range of products. But not all CBD is created equal. As a growing number of us are realizing, how it’s extracted from the cannabis plant makes a difference, both in relation to its purity and to its impact on the environment. CBD can be extracted from plant matter in one of two basic ways: Through the use of solvents or without them. Solvent-based extractions use chemicals such as butane, CO2, or propane to remove the CBD and other compounds from the plant matter. Then the solvent is purged so that the resulting concentrate can be used in products. By contrast, solventless infusion equipment relies on gentle heat and pressure to remove the CBD from the plants. It’s an inherently simple process with notable environmental advantages, which we’ll explore in greater detail in just a moment. One of the major issues with solvent-based extraction methods is that producers who use them must safely dispose of those chemicals once they’ve been purged. This requires the use and upkeep of sophisticated and costly waste-management systems to ensure proper handling during production and within the broader ecosystem. What’s more, many of those solvents give off high levels of volatile organic compounds, otherwise known as VOCs. According to the American Lung Association, VOCs can contribute to air quality concerns. We’re not willing to take that risk with our team. As we mentioned earlier, a properly made solvent-based product should be free of any solvent residues. But here’s our point: At Papa & Barkley, it’s our stance that any given product should be assessed not only for its quality to the end user, but to everyone who comes in contact with that product. In other words, focusing solely on end product quality isn’t the whole story. From the impact on workers who must handle such chemicals to those who live in the vicinity of production facilities, we feel that solvent-based extraction is an unnatural method for a natural product. Why Are Solventless Products Preferred? A Holistic Approach That said, we’d prefer to focus on the positive, and at P&B we believe solvent free CBD infusion is only one part of a more balanced approach to CBD-based products. Here are just a few of the ways we use this technique to produce our thoughtfully made wellness offerings. Outdoor Growing Some cannabis cultivators prefer to grow their plants indoors, arguing that this allows greater control over light, moisture, and other environmental factors. However, this approach requires significant amounts of electricity to maintain a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. That’s one reason we prefer to let Mother Nature do the work, growing our vibrant cannabis plants outdoors instead. Organic Growing Methods When your goal is producing exceptional all-natural products, it makes sense to refrain from adding anything you wouldn’t want in your body or on your skin. This includes synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and other questionable products. Instead, we source our sungrown cannabis from farmers who cultivate using organic and regenerative principles, and chemical-free inputs for healthier soil and a more natural product. Solvent-Free CBD Infusion As we referenced earlier, our solventless infusion equipment uses gentle heat and pressure—really, that’s all!—to extract the purest CBD possible from our 100% USA-grown plants. That means our partners and employees aren’t exposed to the VOCs present in most solvents, and there’s no need for complex waste management systems to dispose of such solvents, either. Renewable Ingredients Finally, we go out of our way to use renewable ingredients such as beeswax and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), a coconut-derived oil that is valued for its versatility in food and wellness products. For more information about MCT oil, see these resources. Solvent-Free CBD Infusion: Why It Matters to Us At Papa & Barkley, we’re committed to harnessing the full value of plants. That’s why all of our products are made with solventless, whole-plant infusions that contain the full spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids present in each plant we harvest. From our award-winning topicals to our edibles and our tinctures, you’re experiencing these plants in a thoughtfully crafted way with each and every one of our products. Do you have other questions about solventless extraction? Just ask! We’re always here to share information.

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Separating Fact from Fiction: CBD and the Placebo Effect

Separating Fact from Fiction: CBD and the Placebo Effect

If you know Papa & Barkley, you know that we’re passionate about CBD news and exploring the potential of this all-natural plant for general wellness, supporting recovery from exercise, and fostering a natural state of calm and wellbeing. Today, we’re especially excited to share recent CBD research that offers new and fascinating insights into the placebo effect and how it may influence our perception of physical experiences. If you’re interested in understanding how to incorporate cannabis as part of your wellness routines, this post is for you. The Experience of Sensation and Discomfort Sensations and discomfort are a part of life. While sometimes bothersome, these feelings can be important signals related to our overall wellbeing. There are many approaches for general comfort, including practices such as massage or other lifestyle choices. Here at Papa & Barkley, our best-in-class topical Releaf Balm has a special place in our history as part of the wellness journey of our founder's family. Our products are crafted to support your approach to general well-being, and we emphasize the importance of quality by making our products from 100% USA-grown hemp plants and triple-testing for purity and safety. What Is the Placebo Effect? How Placebo and CBD Relate A moment ago, we mentioned the placebo effect. What is the placebo effect? Simply put, it’s a phenomenon whereby a pharmacologically inert substance—such as a sugar pill—can create perceived effects simply because the subject believes it will improve their health. It’s a fascinating aspect of physiology, and it’s been studied extensively in clinical research. So, what does this have to do with CBD? As highlighted in recent CBD research from Syracuse University, part of CBD’s influence within wellness routines may reflect both its own properties and the power of the placebo effect. Let us explain. The experience of sensation—such as discomfort—varies for each individual and can include both the intensity and the quality of what’s felt. As Martin De Vita, one of the authors of the study, explained in an interview: “If you think of pain as the noxious noise coming from a radio, the volume can represent the intensity of the pain, while the station can represent the quality.” In other words, how the sensation feels on a qualitative level is different from how severe it is. The study suggests that both CBD and the placebo effect can influence this experience, affecting both the intensity and quality of discomfort perceptions. Echoing the findings of other clinicians, De Vita points out that it’s important to know where your CBD actually comes from. At Papa & Barkley, we make our award-winning CBD products from 100% USA-grown hemp plants, then triple test it for purity and safety. Our complete line of Releaf products—including topicals, capsules, and drops—are thoughtfully formulated to support your general wellness routine. In Conclusion: Evidence Supports Ongoing Research in Cannabinoids and Wellness The role hemp and cannabis play in the experience of comfort and wellness is complex, and research is currently underway to illuminate how cannabis terpenes (the aromatic “essential oils” that give hemp and cannabis plants their unique aromas and flavors) and other active compounds in the plants might be impacting its efficacy. This latest study adds to a growing body of knowledge about how CBD might be integrated into wellness routines in complementary ways. Do you have other questions about the placebo effect or incorporating CBD into your wellness routine? Reach out anytime; we’re always here to help!

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Cannabis and the Gender Gap: How Men and Women Use It Differently

Cannabis and the Gender Gap: How Men and Women Use It Differently

Even as research into cannabis unlocks a number of potential uses for cannabinoids such as CBD, there's one little-noticed detail: Men and women tend to use it for different reasons. Let's explore the statistics to see how different genders use it and how these patterns may offer insight into plant-based wellness routines. Cannabis Use: Gender Differences in Use and Experience In previous posts, we’ve focused on some of the many reasons people incorporate cannabis into their daily habits, including general mood and supporting a sense of calm as part of nightly routines. Research into plant-based compounds such as CBD continues to explore a variety of potential applications, from lifestyle support to promoting overall well-being, supporting routines after activity, and contributing to mental wellness. Research also suggests there are differences in how men and women approach cannabinoid products. Here are a few examples of how—and why—this might be the case. When it comes to stress support, some studies indicate that women may absorb certain cannabinoids differently than men. One study done at Yale’s School of Medicine suggested that women may show higher levels of CBD in the body than men, though further research is needed. The researchers hypothesize that these differences may influence experiences, and more studies are underway. This idea finds support in a cross sectional study that found, in general, women more commonly cite wellness routines related to sleep and stress for their use of CBD, while men more often report incorporating it after physical activity. Additionally, that study suggested that women may be more likely to report subjective effects, a trend generally supported by the Yale research. Research is ongoing to determine whether there may be differences in how various amounts of CBD affect people of different genders. According to Dr. Sarah Lichtenstein, who headed the Yale study: “If there is a point at which higher doses trigger a neurobiological mechanism that blocks some effects of CBD, that could very likely lead to different experiences for women and men.” This line of inquiry may help guide future personal approaches. As we’ve shared previously, while CBD is reported as well-tolerated, it’s important for individuals to determine their optimal routine for their preferences. When considering CBD for men, trends indicate men are more likely to seek out products for use after physical activity or for specific goals within their wellness routines. An animal study also suggests that CBD may play a role in how certain hormones are metabolized, though more research is needed to interpret how this might be relevant to human experiences. Other animal research has examined how cannabinoids may interact with different body systems, but the impact on overall wellness in humans continues to be an area for further study. Shopping Trends: Gender Differences in Product Selection The differences between men and women extend beyond how cannabinoids interact with the body: Men and women also tend to purchase different product types. While historically there have been more male than female cannabis consumers, more women are now seeking cannabis for wellness. When shopping, women purchase topicals, tinctures and edibles more frequently than men, while men purchase more traditional flower and concentrates. Cannabis for Wellness: In Conclusion We’re passionate about our customers’ wellness and the potential of this all-natural plant. Do you have other questions about incorporating CBD into your routine? Reach out anytime; we’re always happy to provide information and resources!

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