The Overlooked Powerhouses of Cannabis: How Flavonoids Elevate the Entourage Effect and Transform Hemp’s Potential

Last reviewed by Daniel Gana, MSc, Abraham Benavides, MD, and Brent Ristow, PhD, JD 12/9/24

Flavonoids often sit in the shadow of cannabinoids and terpenes when discussing the therapeutic power of cannabis, yet they are no less significant. Most people associate flavonoids with vibrant colors or subtle flavors, but these remarkable compounds hold untapped potential that could redefine how we view cannabis medicine. 

To date, researchers have identified over 30 flavonoids in the hemp plant. Among these are cannflavin A, B, C and isocannflavin B which are unique to hemp and possess extraordinary therapeutic potential, some of which are more potent than commercially available medications. 

Flavonoids are like the harmonious notes in a cannabis symphony, working in concert with cannabinoids and terpenes to produce the powerful therapeutic effects we recognize today. Yet, despite their vital role in this ensemble, their full potential has remained untapped– until now.

Despite their importance, flavonoids’ role, ranging from their contribution to the entourage effect to enhancing the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, has often been overlooked. This is largely due to two factors: 

1. Most commercial extraction methods destroy flavonoids, and 
2. Their low concentrations in the hemp plant make it challenging to retain them in final products 

However, even in small amounts, flavonoids can make a significant impact. In this article, we’ll explore how flavonoids elevate the cannabis experience and why products that preserve these compounds should be prioritized.

What you should know about the cannabis symphony

The chemical profile of cannabis can be likened to a symphony, where its molecular components play together as different sections of an orchestra in harmony to create a masterpiece. The symphony highlights the importance of balance and synergy in achieving optimal performance. This balance and synergy occurs at the molecular level of the receptor, and is often described as the entourage effect. 

As our understanding of these synergies grows, the emerging science suggests that preserving cannabis’ components, or symphony sections, in their natural ratios is critical for getting the right performance. Focusing too much on the rock star, THC, creates a different type of concert that isn’t right for everyone, and limits the full range of therapeutics cannabis can play. Preserving all components allows for a balanced, widespread activation of receptors that is more effective than the sum of its parts.

Within the cannabis symphony, a cannabis power triangle emerges: cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Let’s take a look at their different roles. 

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are like the melody carried by the strings, providing the primary therapeutic effect. They interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), binding to receptors like CB1 and CB2. This action modulates various physiological processes, including pain, mood, and inflammation. 

Cannabinoids essentially provide the foundational therapeutic effects of cannabis, initiating the response by targeting key receptors within and outside the ECS.  

Cannabinoids like CBD also influence ECS enzymes to increase levels of endocannabinoids, allowing for increased endocannabinoid tone and greater auto-regulatory control. CBD alone has over 65 molecular targets in the body that complement cannabis’ therapeutic effects, with other non-impairing cannabis components enhancing similar effects.

Terpenes

Terpenes, on the other hand, act as  brass that adds vibrant highlights and shapes the overall tone. While these aromatic compounds are responsible for cannabis’ distinct smells and flavors, they also influence the plant’s medicinal effects. 

Terpenes can modulate the activity of cannabinoids, enhancing or altering their effects. Some of these terpenes go as far as interacting with receptors or improving receptor activity after binding with cannabinoids.  

For example, the terpene myrcene may increase the absorption of cannabinoids, while limonene may elevate mood. By interacting with various ECS and non-ECS receptors and enzymes in the body, terpenes fine-tune the overall experience, providing an “apparent” layer of therapeutic benefits that enhance the effectiveness of cannabinoids.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids function as the subtle woodwinds that support the composition without standing out directly. While present in smaller concentrations, flavonoids are potent in their own right. They work synergistically with cannabinoids and terpenes, enhancing the therapeutic effect through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. 

Flavonoids can influence receptor activities by binding to specific pathways in the body, amplifying the effects of cannabinoids and terpenes. While they may not be as immediately impactful as cannabinoids, flavonoids help shape the long-term modulation of the ECS and other receptor systems, providing crucial support to the overall therapeutic action of cannabis.

Role of flavonoids in hemp medicine

• Flavonoids Possess Therapeutic Potentials That Complement the Effect of Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Flavonoids in hemp, such as cannflavins, play a crucial role in enhancing the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids and terpenes. While cannabinoids like THC and CBD provide the primary medicinal benefits, flavonoids amplify these effects by interacting with receptors in the body, supporting the entourage effect. This phenomenon occurs when cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together, potentiating each other’s therapeutic properties. 

Flavonoids themselves demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and neuroprotective effects, making them powerful allies in managing conditions like pain, anxiety, and inflammation. Their ability to modulate various biological pathways means they do not just act as passive compounds, but actively contribute to the overall healing potential of hemp. 

When combined with cannabinoids and terpenes, flavonoids help create a more comprehensive and effective therapeutic experience, offering a fuller spectrum of benefits to those seeking natural wellness solutions.

• Flavonoids Increase Bioavailability of Cannabinoids and Terpenes

One of the significant roles flavonoids play in hemp medicine is increasing the bioavailability of cannabinoids and terpenes. Bioavailability refers to the rate and extent to which active compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream and made available to the body’s systems. 

This means that the therapeutic compounds in cannabis, particularly cannabinoids, are more effectively utilized by the body when flavonoids are present. By working synergistically with terpenes, flavonoids can also amplify their impact on cannabinoid and noncannabinoid receptors, allowing for more efficient and targeted therapeutic effects. 

This enhanced bioavailability is crucial for maximizing the possible benefits of hemp medicine, ensuring that individuals receive the full therapeutic potential from their cannabis products.

• Flavonoids Prevent Cannabinoid Degradation

Flavonoids also play a protective role in preserving the integrity of cannabinoids, preventing their degradation over time. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are known to degrade when exposed to heat, light, air, and enzymes, thereby losing their potency and therapeutic value. 

Flavonoids, with their antioxidant properties, help stabilize cannabinoids, protecting them from oxidative stress and environmental factors that can cause them to break down. This protective action is especially important in maintaining the potency and effectiveness of hemp-based products, ensuring that the active compounds remain viable and powerful throughout their shelf life. 

By preventing the degradation of cannabinoids, flavonoids ensure that consumers receive the full therapeutic benefit, even in long-term storage. This aspect of flavonoids makes them not only essential for immediate therapeutic effects but also for the long-term effectiveness, storage, and practicality of hemp-based medicine.

Conclusion

Your cannabis experience and the full potential of the entourage effect is incomplete without flavonoids. The entourage effect thrives on synergy, whether between compounds of the same class, like cannabinoids interacting with each other (intra-entourage), or across different classes, such as cannabinoids working in harmony with terpenes and flavonoids (inter-entourage).

Our unique extraction method ensures the preservation of flavonoids, with detectable concentrations verified through comprehensive Certificates of Analysis, available upon request. This retention sets our products apart, delivering fast-acting, potent effects where others may fall short. The presence of flavonoids in our extracts has been a game-changer, as demonstrated by real-world use cases.

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