The entourage Effect asserts that all the compounds in cannabis can be combined to produce a greater effect than if they are taken separately.
Simply put, it is believed that you will reap the benefits of consuming multiple components of the cannabis plants together rather than just one.
There are approximately 500 chemical compounds in cannabis plants, of which more than 100 are phytocannabinoids such as CBD and THC. Flavonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids are also important components of the cannabis plant.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in all plants. They are responsible for the different fragrances that plants get. Terpenes can have therapeutic effects on the body. Terpenes are the basis of popular aromatherapy.
Flavonoids are phytonutrients that impart non-green color to plants. They are antiviral and antioxidant.
Entourage Effect is a theory that all of these compounds have therapeutic benefits when combined, resulting in a more enjoyable experience.
This means that an extract (or product) that contains more or all of the chemical compounds in cannabis will be more beneficial to you than one that only contains one.
A full-spectrum CBD oil is better than a CBD isolate.
Discovery of Entourage Effect
In 1999, the phrase entourage effect was created for the first time. The original definition of this term was:
This is a novel method for endocannabinoid control. Multiple endogenous chemical substances have a cooperative effect in eliciting a cellular response.
The term is used to describe the effects of whole plant extracts or combined phytochemicals in cannabis. It refers to the possibility that compounds in cannabis can work together to create, the sum of all parts that makes up the power of cannabis.
This term was derived from several scientific studies that all pointed to the lower potential of pure cannabis products. The majority of these studies focused on subjects who took CBD, CBD, and THC separately. These results showed that CBD and THC combined had more success than the former.
Entourage Effect in Easy Terms
Let’s look at this effect from the perspective of human interactions. Each individual has a single set of gifts and talents. Two people can form a partnership to reach goals they may not have otherwise.
This is how we can see cannabis:
- CBD has therapeutic benefits.
- THC is a potent and effective therapeutic agent.
- CBG can have therapeutic benefits.
Similar to the above, other compounds in plants can provide other benefits (similar or dissimilar).
These compounds can form partnerships when combined and produce an effect (i.e. These compounds can be combined to achieve goals that may have been impossible with a single compound.
Inadequacy in using Full-spectrum Extracts
Although clinical research and studies have shown that cannabis compounds can work in synergy, there is still a gap between these findings and their actual use. This is due to:
- Inadequate quality control: Because there are no clear guidelines, it is difficult to ensure that the quality of extracts is maintained. Extracts can be contaminated or adulterated and are therefore ineffective.
- Inconsistent potency: Because of the same reasons and due to varying environmental and weather conditions, the potency of botanical extracts can be inconsistent.
- Insufficient Knowledge: There is no standardization process. This can lead to mislabelling and confusion in certain cases.