Cannabis Terpene Profile Modification for Reduced THC Side Effects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cannabis varieties have high concentrations of THC, leading to undesirable side effects and limiting their medical and recreational use due to the prominence of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, necessitating cannabis varieties with modulated THC concentrations and varying pharmacologically active substances to reduce negative side effects and enhance medical benefits.

Innovation Solution

Development of cannabis plants and derivatives with a terpene profile where myrcene is not dominant, featuring terpinolene, alpha phellandrene, beta ocimene, carene, limonene, gamma terpinene, alpha pinene, alpha terpinene, beta pinene, fenchol, camphene, alpha terpineol, alpha humulene, beta caryophyllene, linalool, caryophyllene oxide, and myrcene, with a terpene oil content greater than 1.5%, and containing propyl locus A alleles, to provide a balanced cannabinoid and terpene composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If cannabis varieties with high THC concentrations are used, then psychoactive effects are enhanced, but undesirable side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTHC concentrationVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the terpene profile composition parameters - specifically reducing myrcene content and increasing alternative terpenes (limonene, linalool, pinene, caryophyllene) to alter the pharmacological effects while maintaining THC presence, thereby changing the overall effect profile from harmful to beneficial

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite chemical profile by combining multiple terpenes in specific ratios alongside cannabinoids, where the synergistic interaction between limonene, linalool, pinene, caryophyllene and the cannabinoid mixture produces enhanced therapeutic effects with reduced side effects compared to THC alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If traditional cannabis varieties are used, then THC content is high, but medical benefits are limited due to side effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecannabinoid concentrationVSAvoidmedical benefit reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by establishing a specific terpene profile with controlled ratios of multiple terpenes (limonene 10-40%, linalool 5-20%, pinene 5-15%, caryophyllene 5-15%) combined with a broad cannabinoid spectrum, which reliably produces enhanced medical benefits with reduced side effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces terpenes as intermediary compounds that mediate the effects of cannabinoids - the specific terpene mixture acts as a modifier that enhances the therapeutic action of cannabinoids while attenuating their psychoactive and harmful effects, creating a more reliable medical treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If myrcene-dominant terpene profiles are used, then traditional cannabis effects are achieved, but therapeutic margins are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecannabis effect consistencyVSAvoidtherapeutic margin
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the terpene profile parameters by replacing the traditional myrcene-dominant profile (where myrcene >50%) with a multi-terpene profile where myrcene is reduced to 0-10% and alternative terpenes are elevated, thereby transforming the effect profile from sedative to therapeutically beneficial with expanded therapeutic margins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3552482B1Breeding, production, processing and use of specialty cannabis
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 BIOTECH INSTITUTE LLC
  • EP3552482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3552482B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3552482B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides compositions and methods for the breeding, production, processing and use of specialty cannabis. The plants are characterized partially by a genotype and partially by certain contents or metabolites such as cannabidiol (CBD), myrcene, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabigerol (CBG) and terpene oil.