Boswellia sacra, famous for producing a resin which is called frankincense, is a botanical that has been in use for centuries. The ancient Egyptians first started to put boswellia to use and its use spread throughout the world, often becoming an important aspect of various ceremonies. It makes sense that frankincense is being used in this way because the volatile compounds contained in frankincense resin can have a mind expanding effect. When we came out with our first boswellia extract, we focused on predominantly isolating the boswellic acids which produce profound pain management effects. However, we were always curious what the volatile fraction, which contains the mind expanding volatiles, would feel like. We were expecting this to predominantly add a mood boosting effect to the mix, but to our surprise, the volatile fraction of Boswellia sacra also enhances the pain management effects of the boswellic acids.* With this in mind, we decided to use supercritical CO2 as our extraction solvent, which pulls out high amounts of cembrenes, the primary volatile compounds, in addition to high amounts of boswellic acids and acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA). This seems to produce quite a powerful entourage effect and quickly making this one of our favorite supercritical CO2 extracts!*
The unique thing about the volatile cembrenes contained in Boswellia sacra, is that they activate the transient receptor potential vanilloid-3 (TRPV3). This is a receptor which normally gets activated by warmth and is thus expressed widely throughout the skin, but there are also lots of TRPV3 receptors located throughout the central nervous system. The TRPV3 receptors get activated when they sense temperatures between 31–39°C and thus, activation of TRPV3 receptors with the cembrenes contained in Boswellia sacra produces a very pleasant warming sensation, not too dissimilar from the physically and mentally relaxing effects of a warm shower. To put things into context more, the main spicy component in chili peppers, capsaicin, activates a similar type of receptor called the TRPV1 receptors. This receptor becomes activated when they sense temperatures in excess of 43°C. This then produces a sensation of heat throughout the mouth, which can even be unpleasant for some. The cembrenes in our supercritical CO2 Boswellia sacra extract on the other hand, produces a lower level warmth sensation which results in a pleasant warmth rather than a oftentimes challenging heat experienced with capsaicin.* This pleasant warmth sensation produces a very nice physically relaxing effect which helps boost the pain management effects of the boswellic acids and AKBA while also producing a very palpable mood elevating effect!*
Boswellia sacra is a unique tree which is native to Oman, Yemen and Somalia. This tree exudes a highly aromatic resin which is often referred to as frankincense. This resin contains a collection of potent volatile compounds called the cembrenes. The three main cembrenes found in frankincense resin are serratol (which is by far the most potent TRPV3 activator), incensole and incensole acetate. Since these compounds are highly volatile, they are quite hard to capture with conventional extraction methods. Thus, to capture the highest amount of volatile compounds, we decided to use a supercritical CO2 extraction method which has been highly optimized for pulling out large amounts of cembrane volatiles in addition to boswellic acids and AKBA.*
Throughout history, frankincense has been revered for its ability to elevate us to a higher state of being and these effects appear to be predominantly produced via cembrene mediated TRPV3 activation. When we discovered this, we were actually very surprised that there weren’t any boswellia extracts on the market that had been standardized to the volatile fraction! We set out on an arduous journey to find a boswellia extract that had been standardized to the volatile cembrenes and were very satisfied with the effects it produced.* From the moment we opened the sample we had received, we knew we were in for a treat! Opening up the bag released an almost intoxicating aroma of very high quality frankincense. Once we started beta-testing the supercritical CO2 extract, we were very pleasantly surprised by its profound mood elevating effects.* It feels very different from the majority of our mood boosting supplements, producing a very natural feeling state of uplifted relaxation.* In our opinion, this would be the ideal effects profile for a meditation session!*
Our supercritical CO2 boswellia extract also produces very palpable pain management effects. While our boswellia phytosome produces longer lasting effects due to its phytosome technology, the supercritical CO2 boswellia extract produces more rapid and acutely noticeable effects on pain.* Great if you are in a pinch and need a bit of relief as quickly as possible.* These rapid effects can likely be traced back to the volatile fraction, as we have found that many volatile compounds produce rapid and noticeable effects.* Take for example our supercritical coriander extract which produces rapid and pronounced relaxation effects and also happens to be standardized to a volatile compound called linalool!*
Boswellia is also very well regarded for its beneficial effects on joint comfort.* This can be traced back mostly to its boswellic acids and AKBA content. There is a lot of research on these compounds, indicating that they can promote joint comfort, predominantly via inhibiting the enzyme arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX).* 5-LOX is responsible for initiating various types of inflammatory processes and thus, by inhibiting 5-LOX boswellia can significantly dampen inflammation.* 5-LOX inhibition seems to be particularly good at promoting joint comfort and due to this boswellia supplements are often highly revered as joint health supplements.* Since our supercritical CO2 boswellia extract contains high amounts of boswellic acids and AKBA, it is a great choice for enhancing joint comfort while also elevating your mood!*
The Pain Stack: Supercritical CO2 Boswellia Extract + Supercritical CO2 Myrrh Extract Solution
A more classic combination doesn’t exist! Frankincense and myrrh have traditionally been used in combination for centuries for the unique aromatic properties both produce. Similarly to the volatiles in frankincense, the volatiles in myrrh have profound effects on pain management.* When combined, supercritical CO2 extracts of boswellia and myrrh produce a very robust pain management effect!*
The Mood Stack: Supercritical CO2 Boswellia Extract + High Bioavailability Noble Kava Tablets
Many endocannabinoids also activate the TRPV3 receptors, and due to this, our supercritical CO2 extracts go really well with supplements which modulate our endocannabinoid function.* One of our favorites for endocannabinoid modulation is our kava extract because we find that it produces a very pleasant mood boosting effect when combined with our supercritical CO2 extract of Boswellia sacra.* This stack also produces robust pain management effects! *
Joint Comfort Stack: Supercritical CO2 Boswellia Extract + AvailOm® High EPA Capsules
Boswellia extracts are very famous for their ability to enhance joint comfort and omega-3 fish oils are also often regarded as being highly beneficial for joint comfort.* To get the most out of this synergy, we decided to stack our supercritical CO2 extract of Boswellia sacra with our high EPA availom fish oil. EPA has a highly beneficial effect on our endocannabinoid system and, as we mentioned in the mood stack, TRPV3 activation and endocannabinoid modulation go hand in hand!*
As a dietary supplement, take one capsule of Supercritical CO2 Boswellia Extract daily.
To gain more insight, see the Supercritical CO2 Boswellia Extract reviews and experiences below.
Nootropics Depot offers 30ct. or 90ct. jars of high-quality Supercritical CO2 Boswellia Extract. Nootropics Depot’s Supercritical CO2 Boswellia Extract has been lab-tested and verified for both product purity and identity.
| *Attention: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
