In a world where medical cannabis is increasingly gaining acceptance for its therapeutic benefits, one challenge remains largely unaddressed: the preservation of its potency over time.
As cannabis ages, its key phytochemicals, including the all-important THC, are prone to degradation. This not only affects the efficacy of medical cannabis but also poses challenges in ensuring accurate dosing for patients.
But what if there was a natural solution to this problem, one that not only preserves the potency of cannabis but also enhances its therapeutic properties?
Enter terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in cannabis that are now emerging as the unsung heroes in the quest for better cannabis preservation.
A groundbreaking study has recently shed light on the incredible role these terpenes play in preserving THC content, and the findings could very well change the way we store and utilise medical cannabis forever.
Prepare to delve into the science, the implications, and the future possibilities of this pioneering research.
The Science Behind Cannabis Preservation
As cannabis ages, its inflorescence phytochemicals, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are susceptible to oxidative degradation.
This degradation impacts the reliability and accuracy of dosing, which is a significant concern in medical cannabis markets. The study focuses on using cannabis-derived terpenes with antioxidant properties to improve the stability of cannabinoids during storage.
The research used ‘Killer Kush’ inflorescence samples stored in temperature-controlled environments. To accelerate the rate of oxidative degradation, samples were stored with hydrogen peroxide, and vapor phase terpenes were added to the packaging.
Key Findings
The study’s key findings offer a significant leap forward in our understanding of cannabis preservation, particularly concerning the critical cannabinoid THC.
After 127 days of storage, the research revealed that cannabis inflorescence stored with external terpenes had a substantially lower loss of total THC content compared to those stored without terpenes.
Specifically, the loss was 18% for samples with terpenes and 34.3% for those without. These figures are not just numbers; they represent a statistically significant difference, underscoring the efficacy of terpenes in preserving THC content.
Terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in cannabis, have long been known for their therapeutic properties.
However, their role in preserving THC content has been less explored. The study’s findings indicate that terpenes act as a natural preservative, significantly reducing the degradation of THC over time.
This is a crucial discovery, as THC is one of the primary compounds responsible for the therapeutic effects of medical cannabis.
The differences in THC degradation between samples stored with and without terpenes were statistically significant. This means that the observed effects are not due to random chance but are a direct result of the added terpenes.
The study found a dose-dependent relationship between the amount of external terpenes added and the preservation of THC content. This dose-dependence suggests that there is an optimal concentration of terpenes that maximises THC preservation, opening avenues for further research to pinpoint this optimal level.
The Transformative Impact on Medical Cannabis
The study’s groundbreaking findings hold immense potential to reshape the landscape of medical cannabis, particularly in the realm of accurate dosing and long-term efficacy.
The degradation of THC content over time has been a significant hurdle in the medical cannabis industry, affecting both the reliability and effectiveness of treatments.
The study’s findings offer a promising solution to this challenge by using cannabis-derived terpenes as a natural preservative for THC, thereby maintaining consistent potency levels over extended periods.
Long-Term Efficacy and Reliability in Storage
The ability to preserve THC content over extended periods has far-reaching implications for the medical cannabis supply chain. From cultivation and processing to storage and distribution, each stage can benefit from the natural preservation qualities of terpenes.
This could lead to longer shelf lives for medical cannabis products, reducing waste and making the treatment more accessible to patients.
Also, the long-term preservation of THC content ensures that medical cannabis remains a reliable and effective treatment option, giving both healthcare providers and patients greater confidence in its therapeutic benefits.
