Entourage Effect – The many instruments of the whole orchestra of wellness conducted by CBD.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Vance Green, PharmD.
Updated on July 10, 2021
CBD is an incredible molecule; It has shown to not only be safe but extremely powerful in many different avenues of wellness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported after in-depth studies that CBD reveals no adverse health effects but some tangible medical applications for CBD, furthermore, cannabis should be rescheduled.
While CBD does deserve a good pat on the back for its contribution to humanity, it certainly can’t take all the credit. There are many other components within the plant that lend a helping hand and offer additional benefits to the whole-plant experience of health wellness.
ENTOURAGE EFFECT INFOGRAPHIC
OVER 80 CANNABINOIDS
With over 80 other phytocannabinoids found in hemp flower like CBDa, CBG, CBC, CBGV, CBN, THC, and THCv adding to the whole experience along with terpenes such as a-Pinene, Myrcene, Limonene, and Caryophyllene to name a few. As well as flavonoids, plant proteins, essential fatty acids, and other phytonutrients (which include polyphenols) that plants contain, also add to the overall character of the experience. –This process is what scientists have called the entourage effect.
Phytocannabinoids & cannabinoids differ from endocannabinoids: how? Endo(meaning internal)cannabinoids are produced naturally by the body’s endocannabinoid system. Phyo(meaning plant)cannabinoids are produced in hemp/cannabis plants and interact with our endocannabinoid system. A phytocannabinoid is a naturally-occurring concentrated oil that is present in the resin that coats the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are predominantly present in the resin.
Don’t panic! We know this is a lot to take in, and most of those new to CBD are still trying to grasp an understanding of the fundamental differences of full-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum. Cannabis/Hemp and cannabinoids is a complex and seemingly endless subject.
The entourage effect is the synergy between 100’s of beneficial compounds found in the hemp “Cannabis” plant.
IMPORTANCE OF THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT
The downside with taking just CBD (achievable through CBD isolate) is you are missing out on the additional cannabinoids that promote a significantly higher relief effect according to this 2015 study.
There is a common thought that pure CBD (CBD Isolate) means it’s better. Studies have shown many times that it’s not always the case in many situations. That’s not to say CBD isolate doesn’t have a place, far from it. The reasoning behind this is the entourage effect; all the cannabinoids working together and interact within the body to produce a stronger influence than being alone — a synergistic effect.
One very notable example is the case of broad-spectrum versus full-spectrum CBD oil. Broad-spectrum gets processed to have trace THC scrubbed (removed) from the cannabinoid profile through chemical extraction: or through starting with CBD isolate and adding back in other cannabinoids, vegetable terpenes, flavonoids and in some cases, synthetic versions of scent/taste molecules.
However; It is widely agreed that taking CBD without even the trace amounts of THC doesn’t offer as many benefits than CBD oil that does contain traces of THC. Much more research is required on this matter of course. Still, it is undoubtedly safe to say in most situations that full-spectrum CBD offers a better therapeutic experience over broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate due to this entourage effect.
ENTOURAGE EFFECT STUDIES
- The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain.
- The Endocannabinoid System, Cannabinoids, and Pain
- Journal of Consumer Research, Inc. – The Entourage Effect
- Appraising the “entourage effect”:
- The Clinical Significance of Endocannabinoids in Endometriosis Pain Management
- Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects
