You most likely have an idea of the wellness and recreational uses of cannabis. However, what you probably didn’t know is that the marijuana plant contains various compounds. These compounds can work together and achieve the best results through the “Entourage Effect.” I will explain to you how it works and its importance.
Key Takeaways
- The entourage effect means cannabis works better when all its compounds are used together.
- The key compounds in the entourage effect include cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
- Understanding the entourage effect helps you determine the best way to consume marijuana for your needs.
What Does the Entourage Effect Mean?
The entourage effect is simply how different compounds in cannabis (like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids) interact to boost each other’s effects.
Among the class of compounds called cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the most researched and popular. THC is the psychotic compound that causes the “high” feeling when you smoke marijuana recreationally, while the non-psychotic CBD doesn’t cause a “high” sensation.
Instead, it has wellness uses, including pain, anxiety, and inflammation relief. Interestingly, CBD is undergoing research as a potential remedy for various health issues in animals and humans alike. Yes, you read that right, CBD could be a remedy for dogs with anxiety!
So, the entourage effect states that when these two compounds and others within a cannabis plant work together, the plant’s effects get boosted. Think of the theory as a way of saying the whole plant can help you achieve better results than parts of it.
For example: THC is the compound that gets you high; CBD doesn’t get you high, but it has tons of wellbeing benefits like calming anxiety.
So, when you take THC with CBD, the CBD can tone down some of THC’s highly intense effects. You also have the option of adding terpenes and flavonoids into the mix for a more personalized experience.
A Bit of Backstory
Though the theory became very popular in the late 1990s, research around the entourage effect dates back to the 1960s. During this period, an Israeli scientist named Raphael Mechoulam started early research into isolated cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD.
Fast forward to 1998, and Mechoulam, alongside Shimon Ben-Shabat, officially coined the term “entourage effect.” Their research suggested that using the entire cannabis plant instead of isolated THC or CBD could deliver better results.
Which Compounds Combine in the Entourage Effect?
Follow me to know the main players that combine to give the entourage effect.
The Cannabinoids
These are the psychotic and non-psychotic substances inside a cannabis plant that can cause various sensations in your body, including mood, appetite, pain, and immune response. The most popular cannabinoids are Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The Terpenes
When you are close to a cannabis plant in any form, there’s an aroma you smell. The reason your CBD flower smells citrusy, earthy, or piney is due to its aromatic compounds called terpenes.
However, they’re not just about scent. They also affect how cannabinoids work in your body. For context: terpene called Myrcene has a sedative, calming effect, and may enhance THC’s relaxing properties. Limonene boosts mood and may help with anxiety, pairing beautifully with CBD.
In other words, each cannabis strain has a different terpene profile, which plays a big role in how it’ll make you feel.
The Flavonoids
These are less popular than cannabinoids and terpenes, but they are also crucial in the entourage effect. Flavonoids are compounds with potential antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties. They work with other compounds to enhance the well being feelings, especially when combined with CBD.
How Does the Entourage Effect Work?
The entourage effect functions through the interaction between the marijuana compounds above: cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds within the cannabis plant. Think of it as different compounds bringing something to the table. However, when they work together, they create an effect that no single compound can on its own.
For instance:
- CBD may reduce the psychotic (high) effects of THC, preventing you from feeling too “high” even when you smoke cannabis for pain relief or other better being effects.
- Terpenes like limonene and myrcene can elevate your mood or focus your high.
- Flavonoids can improve the overall wellness benefit of your consumed substance.
So, whether you’re using marijuana for wellness reasons or just to unwind, you can enjoy a unique experience.
Why Should You Care About the Entourage Effect?
If you’re a wellness cannabis user, I’m telling you: the entourage effect is a viable way to choose the right strain or product you need. Rather than using isolated THC or CBD, full-spectrum cannabis products with different cannabinoids and terpenes might offer better results..
For instance, if you have chronic anxiety, you are more likely to get better relief by using a full-spectrum cannabis product. This is because the interaction between THC, CBD, and terpenes can provide a more effective result compared to single cannabinoids.
In essence, understanding the entourage effect can help you make informed and personalized choices as a user.
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