Learning with Dr. Fox
Everything you need to know about CBD in one page!
Harmony = Better Health
We believe in the power of harmony, using naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that synergistically work to fight disease and promote healing. Our line of CBD tinctures and balms use quality ingredients that work best as a team, reinforcing the Entourage Effect theory that these compounds are more effective together.
The Entourage Effect
The cannabis plant is a treasure trove of health, well-being, and medicinal possibilities. It contains hundreds of chemical compounds, terpenes such as BCP, and over 120 different cannabinoids, including Cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBN, CBC, CBA, and CBG. Cannabinoids can help the endocannabinoid system regulate immunity, protect brain function, and keep your body in perfect balance or homeostasis.
The Entourage Effect is a theory that while each chemical compound in the cannabis plant carries unique effects, their behavior changes when other compounds are present. For instance, taking CBD alone has many health benefits, but pairing it with THC, terpenes, flavonoids, and all the other organic compounds present in cannabis provides a broader range of medicinal possibilities more effective than when taken alone.
Let's take a closer look ...
The word “entourage” is described in the dictionary as either “a group of attendants or associates, as of a person of rank or importance” or “surroundings; environment.”
Think about how your behavior or mood changes when surrounded by different groups of people. How you act and feel in the presence of co-workers may be slightly different from how you are with close friends or family. Research suggests that these compounds work better together because when cannabinoids and terpenes interact, incredible things happen.
A review of studies from the British Journal of Pharmacology in 2011 found that CBD may help reduce the undesired psychoactive effects of THC. The same research also suggests that taking cannabinoids and terpenes together may have therapeutic benefits for many ailments, such as:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Fungal and bacterial infections
Other research on flavonoids and terpenes have shown their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects that may benefit brain health.
The bottom line:
CBD is more effective when combined with terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including a little THC. Full-spectrum CBD products are the best way for you to experience the Entourage Effect.
Teamwork:
United We Stand
Full-spectrum CBD contains all the critical compounds found in the cannabis plant. It’s like eating raw vegetables: you get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in their purest form, as nature intended.
In our case, the whole hemp plant is greater than the sum of its parts. Since our products are hemp-derived, you get close to 20% CBD and only 0.3% THC. This proven ratio ensures you get the full range of healing benefits from these two rockstar compounds and other components working together (the Entourage Effect), without the psychoactive effects of high THC.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain the following:
- Terpenes
- Flavonoids
- Fatty acids
- Other cannabinoids
Beta-caryophyllene or BCP is a therapeutically active phytochemical. It has many healing and disease-fighting properties and is technically a terpene – naturally occurring compounds in plants and insects responsible for their distinct aromatic profile. However, because BCP binds to CB2 or cannabinoid receptor type 2 (a specialized receptor found throughout the endocannabinoid system which doesn’t produce any psychoactive effects when activated), people sometimes label BCP as a cannabinoid.
While cannabis plants are most known for producing cannabinoids CBD and THC, they also produce other phytochemicals such as BCP, which has become an integral part of understanding how the Entourage Effect works.
BCP provides exceptional support to the endocannabinoid system and may:
- Promote normal digestive health.
- Relieve soreness.
- Help maintain the body’s normal inflammatory response.
- Support and protect the nervous system.
We found that MCT or Medium-chain triglyceride coconut oil is the ideal carrier for lipid-soluble cannabinoids like CBD because of its neutral flavor profile and potential health benefits.
All Dr. Fox tinctures use MCT coconut oil as their base. As a carrier oil for CBD, the possible health benefits of MCT coconut oil include:
- Lower cholesterol.
- Lower blood sugar levels.
- Improved memory and brain function.
- Better weight management.
- More energy and enhanced endurance.
Dr. Fox Strains and Terpenes
STRAINS are distinct breeds of cannabis designed to produce specific effects and used for different health concerns. Generally, the main categories you’ll encounter are Sativa, Indica, and hybrid.
- Originating from the Hindu Kush mountains in India, Indica may have a relaxing effect on the user.
- Sativa is known to have an energizing effect, and a hybrid is merely a combination of the two strains.
As proponents of harmony for better health, we use a rare, balanced hybrid strain containing 50% Sativa and 50% Indica. Dr. Fox products have up to 20% CBD and 0.3% THC, so you get all the healing powers and other medicinal benefits of these two strains without the intoxication risk. It has an intense cherry profile, with hints of pine skunk and black pepper.
TERPENES are aromatic oils responsible for the distinct fragrance found in cannabis and secreted alongside CBD and THC trichomes. Terpenes determine the smell of a cannabis strain and can even modify its effects. Interestingly, nature originally developed this compound to ward off predators, but human ingenuity and curiosity have unlocked various potential health benefits.
Our unique formula uses full-spectrum CBD, MCT coconut oil, BCP, select terpenes, and trace amounts of THC to trigger the cascading therapeutic effects of the Entourage Effect, healing your body the right way.
Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes found in a variety of cannabis strains. It’s mostly prevalent in Sativa-rich hemp that gives the Cherry Wine hemp flower a musky-fruity aroma. You can also find this terpene in hops, which provides beer (mainly craft beer) a distinctive balsam, spicy-pepper fragrance. When it comes to healing, Myrcene is a medicinal powerhouse.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Myrcene:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibiotic
- Analgesic (pain reliever)
- Sedative
- Can improve blood circulation
Users love the pain relief and sedative properties of Myrcene. It can also reduce inflammation on your body’s organs, and even small amounts of this potent terpene can numb sensations for long periods.
Another common terpene found in cannabis strains is Caryophyllene, an FDA-approved compound with excellent analgesic properties – a Godsend for people suffering from intense pain. Research has shown that Caryophyllene can reduce chronic inflammation in the brain, decreasing seizures and plaque buildup in patients with severe brain diseases.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Caryophyllene:
- Analgesic
- Anti-anxiety
- Can help with depression
- Can help with alcoholism
- Treatment for involuntary spasms and convulsions
Limonene is a terpene found in the resin glands of the cannabis plant’s flower associated with citrus and fruity aroma commonly found in citrus fruit peels. This terpene has various uses in medicine, especially in boosting heart health, treating bronchitis, and preventing cancer. Limonene can reduce cell damage, blocking and killing cancer-forming chemicals inside the body.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Limonene:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic for chronic pain
- Potent antioxidant
- Promotes weight loss
- Can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Can reduce elevated blood sugar levels
Farnesene is a naturally occurring terpene in cannabis mainly found in the narrow-leaf Indica strains endemic to the Himalayan valley. You can also find Farnesene on the skin of turmeric, hops, potatoes, and apples. Strains with high amounts of this terpene will smell like fresh green apples. While Farnesene isn’t a primary terpene, it packs a mean punch in fighting disease.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Farnesene:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Natural antifungal and antibacterial
- Anxiety and stress relief
- Can inhibit tumor growth helpful in treating pancreatic and colon cancers
- Has a calming effect when used as a sedative that may help control spasms
- Helps prevent tooth decay
- Promotes healthy digestion by eliminating harmful bacteria, relieving flatulence, cramps, and other issues
- Mood and energy booster
Geranyl Acetate is a highly fragrant terpene found in the Cherry Wine hemp flower that enhances a strain’s flavor. It’s FDA-approved as safe to use and is present in more than 60 essential oils, including lemongrass, citronella, and sassafras. Geranyl Acetate’s strong floral aroma and healing properties make it a critical part of our terpene profile.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Geranyl Acetate:
- Antifungal
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic for chronic pain relief
- Can relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia
Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene found not only in cannabis but also in over 200 plant varieties. It’s so common that people who don’t use cannabis ingest around two grams of Linalool through food each year. It doesn’t stick around in your system for too long, and nothing gets stored in your brain and fatty tissues, making the risk of adverse effects low. Linalool isn’t a primary terpene, and only a few cannabis strains contain high levels of it.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Linalool:
- Antibiotic and antimicrobial
- Can boost the immune system
- Anti-inflammatory
- Reduces the effects of stress
- Analgesic and muscle relaxant
- Sedative and anti-epileptic properties
- Can reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia
- Can boost creativity
- Shows promise in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Guaiol is a fragrant terpene found in cannabis and other plants (cypress pine, evergreen tree) responsible for their wood, rose, and pine aromas. This versatile botanical compound has many medicinal uses, employed by people throughout history to treat conditions ranging from sore throat to syphilis. The most promising health attribute of Guaiol is its capacity to decrease systemic inflammation as part of a regimen to fight heavy-hitting diseases such as cancer and fibromyalgia.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Guaiol:
- Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
- Works as a diuretic that can lower blood pressure
- Analgesic for chronic pain
- Relieves constipation
- Treatment for sore throat and cough
- Remedy for gout and arthritis
Pinene is an aromatic terpene responsible for that fresh pine tree scent you find in cannabis. It’s an oil secreted not only by cannabis plants but also – drum roll please – pine trees! It’s also present in fragrant herbs like rosemary and basil. Like all terpenes, the beauty of Pinene goes beyond the flavor and aroma it gives the strain.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Pinene:
- Bronchodilator (helps open airways for Asthma and other lung issues)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-anxiety
- Analgesic (for pain relief)
- Can assist in countering the effects associated with THC use (short-term memory impairment)
Humulene is a common terpene that’s fundamental to giving cannabis its spicy, earthy, and woody aroma. It’s also found in craft beers made with a ton of hops, giving the brew a distinct, hoppy flavor. Humulene gets its name from the hops plant, Humulus Lupulus, and has been used for centuries to treat various ailments.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Humulene:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial and antifungal
- Appetite-suppressant for weight loss
- Plays a role in pharmacokinetics (the movement of drugs within the body)
Humulene shows promise in fighting cancer. It produces Reactive Oxygen Species or ROS, believed to be effective in fighting tumors. A study made in 2016 that shows Humulene terminating cancer cells supports this notion.
Bisabolol is a terpene found in the cannabis plant responsible for its light, sweet, and floral aroma. A 2011 Journal of Translational Medicine study cites Cannabis-derived Bisabolol as a killer of acute leukemia cells, supporting earlier research on bisabolol-rich chamomile that inhibited the growth of prostate, ovarian, breast, and skin cancer cells in animals. Also found in the chamomile flower, Bisabolol has been used for centuries in cosmetics due to its potent skin-healing properties.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Bisabolol:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Analgesic
- Anti-irritant (for sore throat)
- Promotes the skin’s natural healing process (anti-aging cream, moisturizer)
- May help in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells
Camphene is a terpene found in the cannabis plant responsible for its pungent, earthy, and musky aroma. Studies have shown that Camphene may be an effective treatment for cardiovascular disease. It has a variety of other therapeutic benefits such as pain relief and inflammation reduction and being a potent antioxidant when mixed with vitamin C. Camphene’s ability to reduce oxidative stress in cells has shown promise in fighting tumors and melanoma.
Potential health benefits and disease-fighting properties of Camphene:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial and antifungal
- Analgesic
- Antioxidant
- Can be used as a cough suppressant and anti-congestive for respiratory relief
- May help with treating cardiovascular disease by lowering bad cholesterol
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound extracted from the resinous flower of the cannabis plant. It’s one of many “phytocannabinoids” unique to cannabis that gives the plant powerful healing properties. Along with CBD, over a hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, including THC, CBG, CBN, and others, affect the body in different ways.
CBD at a glance:
- CBD is a safe, non-addictive compound that has many beneficial effects on the body’s endocannabinoid system.
- It has a rich medicinal history dating back thousands of years.
- CBD has no psychoactive effects, and you won’t get intoxicated (you won’t get high).
- Through research and testing, today’s modern medicine is discovering the many therapeutic properties of CBD, confirmed by doctors and scientists around the world.
While CBD comes from cannabis plants (hemp and marijuana), the concentration levels are vastly different for each one. Hemp has higher CBD levels and only trace amounts of THC, while marijuana has higher THC and lower CBD. All Dr. Fox products are hemp-derived, ensuring you get all the healing benefits of CBD, without the “high.”
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the prominent psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the “high” feeling in marijuana-derived products. Our formula uses full-spectrum CBD from a hybrid strain that includes Cannabis Sativa, which contains less than 0.3% THC in dry weight.
Healing without the High
The “high” that cannabis is famous for doesn’t come from CBD, but another phytocannabinoid closely related to it:tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. These two rockstar compounds are the most studied due to their robust therapeutic characteristics. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t make you feel intoxicated (stoned) because these compounds act differently, affecting different receptors in your body and brain.
CBD is Great for First-Timers
Studies have shown that CBD can even neutralize the psychoactive effects of THC in the body. Supplementing with CBD gives you all the health benefits of cannabis, without the high. It’s a botanical powerhouse of healing, non-intoxicating, and easy to take, making it a viable treatment option if you’re trying cannabis for the first time.
Cannabinoids like CBD and THC interact with your body in different ways. These botanicals are known to mimic and augment the effects of the body’s endogenous cannabinoids, compounds that are similar to the ones found in the cannabis plant, hence its name. These endocannabinoids are part of what researchers like to call the “endocannabinoid system.”
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a cell-signaling system that helps keep your body in perfect balance or homeostasis at a cellular level. Much like a command center, this system stretches from head-to-toe, forming a complex network of receptors between organs, glands, connective tissue, immune cells, and the brain, affecting the organism as a whole.
The Endocannabinoid System occurs naturally in the bodies of all mammals. It controls many functions such as immune response, intestinal fortitude, stress, memory, sleep, mood, appetite, pain regulation, and so much more. The discovery of ECS was a game-changer, significantly advancing our understanding of alternative pathways to healing and disease treatment. The Endocannabinoid System helps explain why cannabis is a widely used plant, even if it is still illegal in some states.
When the ECS is out of whack, diseases aren’t too far behind. Researchers from the U.S. National National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that the Endocannabinoid System was “dysregulated in nearly all pathological conditions,” meaning the ECS of sick subjects wasn’t functioning correctly. Therefore, modulating the ECS may have therapeutic benefits in almost all diseases that affect humans.
BCP (beta-caryophyllene) is a therapeutically active phytochemical and plays a supporting role in all Dr. Fox CBD products. BCP mainly binds to a specialized receptor in the body called the cannabinoid receptor type 2, or simply CB2. These CB2 receptors, which don’t produce any psychoactive effects when activated, are largely present in the gastrointestinal system, the peripheral nervous system (the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord), and the immune system.