What is the “Entourage Effect”?
There are quite a few terms associated with CBD. In fact, you may have heard a lot about one in particular, the entourage effect. It’s helpful to understand what exactly everyone is talking about so you can choose the best CBD option for you. However, you’ll probably want to learn more about how this effect takes place. Let’s start with some basics about how CBD works, and then discover more about the meaning behind “the entourage effect.”
What are Cannabinoids?
To begin, the cannabis plant has more than 120 compounds called cannabinoids. Two of the most researched cannabinoids are CBD, or cannabidiol, and THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. However, your body also creates cannabinoids internally. They’re called endocannabinoids. Each one can work together with the endocannabinoid system that regulates many of the body’s functions, like sleep, mood, and appetite. This complex system signals cells that participate in maintaining your body’s delicate balance. Cannabinoids bind with endocannabinoid receptors to ensure that your body stays in homeostasis.
Do I Have Cannabinoid Receptors?
The simple answer to this question is yes. Even if you don’t use cannabis, you still use your endocannabinoid system daily to manage important biological needs. In fact, these receptors exist all over your body, not just in one place. They are found in the brain, spinal cord, white blood cells, and other systems in the body, including the reproductive and digestive systems.
Some research has suggested that deficiencies in the endocannabinoid system may be responsible for things like migraines and IBS. It’s also been suggested that replenishing cannabinoids through use of varied cannabinoids can improve functions regulated by the endocannabinoid system. When these two compounds are used in tandem, it’s called the entourage effect.
Why Is It Called the
“Entourage Effect” ?
The latest theory about cannabinoids suggests that they are more effective when taken together because different cannabinoids bind to different receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Many studies suggest that products that contain CBD along with trace amounts of other cannabinoids, referred to as full-spectrum CBD, along with terpenes and flavonoids could impact overall effectiveness.
It’s said that these compounds help each other to achieve homeostasis in the body. In turn, this may improve things like chronic pain, lack of appetite, poor sleep, and anxiety. Therefore, the real entourage effect meaning has to do with how cannabinoids work together for greater impact on the endocannabinoid system.
Is Full-Spectrum CBD Right for Me?
To determine the answer to this question, ask yourself what you prefer. It’s important to remember that isolate CBD is completely free of THC and other cannabinoids, and it’s the only way to make sure that you don’t experience any psychoactive effects. Meanwhile, it’s legal for full-spectrum CBD to have trace amounts of other cannabinoids, including 0.3 percent of THC, in each dose.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to load up on CBD, and you don’t mind introducing other cannabinoids into your system including THC, full-spectrum CBD might be right for you. Plus, you could benefit from the entourage effect.
Staying Informed
Now that you’re in the know about the entourage effect, you can make an informed decision when purchasing CBD. Just look for full-spectrum CBD on the label if you’re looking to achieve the entourage effect. As a tip, try using CBD with and without THC to see what works best for you. As always, be sure to consult a physician before making any decisions about introducing CBD or THC into your treatments.
Works Cited
1. Chander, Raj. “How CBD and THC Work Together: The Entourage Effect.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 13 Dec. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/the-entourage-effect.
2. Russo, Ethan B. “The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No ‘Strain,” No Gain.” Frontiers in Plant Science, Frontiers Media S.A., 9 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334252/.
3. Rahn, Bailey. “The Entourage Effect: How Cannabis Compounds May Be Working Together.” Leafly, 29 Sept. 2020, www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-entourage-effect-why-thc-and-cbd-only-medicines-arent-g.
