Individual cannabis compounds are already fascinating as they are. So, imagine if they started working together to provide you with a better hemp experience. That would be so surreal, right?
But we don’t have to be limited by our imaginations because, based on a theory called the “entourage effect,” that is possible.
What does the entourage effect theory say, and how can it improve your overall hemp experience? Read on to find out.
(Note: Limited data still exists on the entourage effect, and user feedback primarily forms the basis of these reports.)
What does the entourage effect mean?
The entourage effect is the phenomenon where multiple cannabis compounds work together synergistically to enhance the plant’s psychoactive effects. Some claim that the combination also improves the health advantages of different cannabinoids.
The entourage effect theory gained popularity after the publication of a 2011 review called “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects” by Dr. Ethan Russo, who is a neurologist and pharmacologist.
The review by Dr. Russo, who has long studied cannabis chemicals and how they influence the body, provided a detailed explanation of the said phenomenon, which served as a source of data for the industry.
So how does this process take place?
The cannabis plant contains hundreds, if not thousands, of different compounds, three major categories involved in the entourage effect.
These three are the phytocannabinoids, the compounds that give bodily effects; terpenes/terpenoids, the compounds that influence the hemp’s aroma; and flavonoids, the compounds responsible for the taste of the plant.
Users can mix these compounds in various combinations and ratios, such as THC and CBD, or THC, CBD, and terpenes, to meet their specific needs. The entourage effect results from hemp compounds working harmoniously to produce a unified effect.
What benefits does the entourage effect give?
Different strains of cannabis produce effects that vary due to interactions between cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. According to early studies, certain mixtures of compounds can enhance the benefits each can offer or mitigate the undesirable effects of other compounds when combined.
People claim to benefit from a combination of CBD, CBG, THCV, and humulene to manage their weight and regulate their blood sugar levels. In addition, low doses of THC, CBD, linalool, and myrcene may work well together to relieve anxiety. Combining cannabinoids and terpenoids can also maximize their anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties.
It is also important to note that cannabinoids have biphasic effects depending on the dosage.
By inhibiting some cannabinoid receptors, some scientists think CBD lessens the well-known stoning and anxiety-inducing effects of THC. Besides CBD, pinene can also mitigate some of THC’s adverse effects on short-term memory.
Broad Spectrum CBD vs. Full Spectrum CBD
While there are many CBD products on the market, they all have a core component of broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD. One must use a Broad or Full spectrum CBD product to achieve the entourage effect. So how do we distinguish these two?
Full Spectrum CBD: Full spectrum CBD products are the way to go if you want a CBD product that gives you the majority of the components from the cannabis plant. These goods retain the entire cannabinoid profile of the plant, including a small amount of THC.
By seeking CBD products made from hemp that have trace quantities of THC below 0.3%, you can avoid the THC’s intoxicating effects. In addition, terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and other minor cannabinoids are typically present in full spectrum CBD oil.
Broad Spectrum CBD: Almost all of the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and trace levels of terpenes found in the cannabis plant are present in broad spectrum CBD.
THC is the only psychoactive component that broad spectrum CBD extract lacks, which means it won’t make you “high” (though it does include it in a low concentration of less than 0.3%, which is the legal limit).
The Terpenes’ role in the entourage effect
Terpenes contribute to the entourage effect by either changing how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system or the body’s CB2 receptors or by having a complementary effect to CBD.
There are a plethora of terpenes (Myrcene, Terpinolene, Linalool, Limonene, Pinene, etc.), but Beta-Caryophyllene (or BCP, for short) is the one that gets the most attention when it comes to the entourage effect since it’s one of the only terpenes that is known to bind to cannabinoid receptors and may offer some of the advantages connected with CBD.
Best way to use cannabis for the entourage effect
One good way to get the most out of the entourage effect is by consuming your hemp through capsules. This consumption method is so that you may easily integrate it into your routine of wellness supplements. It’s also hugely helpful if you’re aiming for sleep support from your hemp.
Be sure to look for high-quality supplements prepared without additional fillers or binders that have also been potency and purity tested.
We recommend consuming tinctures as another form. The sublingual substance may produce quicker results due to faster sensing compared to when you’re ingesting edibles.
When consuming tinctures sublingually, you allow a portion of the liquid to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream through the thin epithelium. This method bypasses the hepatic first-pass metabolic processes that edibles must undergo before being absorbed into systemic circulation.
To achieve this, you should choose CBD oil that has undergone independent safety testing and has no added fillers or isolated plant compounds.
Elevated Trading is one of the leading distributors of hemp products in the United States. We take pride in all of our products, which are all third-party tested.
We specialize in providing brands and merchants around the nation with bulk cannabinoid products like Delta 8 THC products, hemp-derived Delta 9 THC products and THCa products that are enhanced by terpenes as well.
We carry a lot of different options, both bulk and retail-ready in packaging, to ensure that our wholesale products are the right fit for your smoke shop, vape shop, or retail location.
Contact us today for a free consultation to see if we’re a fit for your store.
