What's in your CBD oil?
Let’s talk CBD oil. It’s not just CBD in the bottle, though we focus on sourcing the highest quality CBD available. Nope, there are other elements that make Elixinol’s tinctures effective, including MCT coconut oil and beta caryophyllene (BCP for short). MCT is our base; it helps you digest CBD more efficiently, acts as a natural preservative, and might give your brain and body a boost.
As for BCP, we like to call BCP our secret ingredient (although we aren’t really that secretive about it). In fact, BCP is the first phytocannabinoid to be approved as a dietary cannabinoid and has the status of being generally recognized as safe as a food additive by the FDA.
Okay, but what is BCP?
BCP is a spicy and peppery terpene that can be found in a whole host of plants, such as black pepper, cloves, cinnamon and hemp to name a few.
Quick recap: a terpene is an oil that gives a plant its distinctive smell or flavor. Essential oils are pretty much terpenes, and BCP is a terpene from the hemp plant. The terpenes in a hemp plant might determine if a particular strain of CBD or THC helps you unwind or become more focused.
BCP is one of the few terpenes that bind to the endocannabinoid receptors, along with its better-known cannabinoid cousins, THC, CBD, and CBN. The main difference between BCP and its cannabinoid relatives is that it only attaches to the CB2 receptors and not the CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors are most often found in the cells of our immune system, hence leading to the amazing benefits of BCP.
The Binding Power of BCP
The activation of those CB2 receptions aids in promoting our immune system and help regulates inflammation. This ultimately helps address aches and pains, and issues with chronic inflammation. In addition to support our immune system, there’s lots of new research into how this powerful terpene can help support brain health, promote healthy cell growth, and help with digestion.
Studies in Germany presented positive results for BCP’s use as an anti-inflammatory treatment and might help reduce pain. Early animal testing showed that BCP can help calm anxiousness and ease stress. Another study suggested that BCP mitigates conditions that lead to brain inflammation -- a contributor to Alzheimers. Combining BCP and CBD showed what’s called the “entourage effect” -- meaning both substances worked more effectively together than they did when taken on their own.
Adding this terpene to our tincture formulation was a simple decision. Was it the cheapest way to produce our CBD oils? Nope. But we knew this ingredient would enhance the overall formulation.
BCP is something special. And when combined with CBD extract and MCT oil it creates a tincture that is well, kind of amazing.
