Jun 27, 2019 | The Entourage Effect
By, Lauraine Kanders, ANP, ACNP-BC
You may know about the two primary compounds found in cannabis — CBD and THC — and be familiar with the natural benefits of these. But did you know that there are, actually, hundreds of other medicinal compounds within the plant.
When acting in conjunction in the human body, they deliver a synergistic result known in medical circles as the Entourage Effect.
Entourage Effect – What’s that ?!
The Entourage Effect is the name given to a collaborative metabolic phenomenon that occurs when numerous cannabis compounds affect the human body to deliver a powerful, compounding curative result.
Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist who has researched extensively on the effects of cannabis compounds on the human body, describes that each individual cannabis compound can reinforce the all-natural properties of the other cannabis compounds. Due to this, cannabis substances deliver stronger and also much more varied effects together than any solitary compound can alone.
There are literally hundreds of compounds naturally produced within the Cannabis plant. As such, the variety and possibilities of different synergies offered within this plant is astounding.
To give an idea of just how powerful the Entourage Effect is, and also much more importantly, exactly how it can be made use of to boost your experience, we will look at the two primary groups of cannabis substances: cannabinoids as well as terpenes.
How Cannabinoids bring on the Entourage Effect
Cannabinoids are a group of pharmacologically active cannabis compounds that can communicate with or influence the receptors in the human Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to bring about a variety of psycho-physical effects.
You may already be aware of CBD and THC as cannabinoids. However, scientists have identified more than 100 different cannabinoids within the cannabis plant, as well as many still remain unknown, or yet to be identified.
When used in combination, the individual pharmacological properties of each cannabinoid are magnified due to the entourage effect. This means that each cannabinoid will provide higher curative or palliative results than normal than they could have individually.
Refer to the chart below to learn about some of the primary cannabinoids in cannabis and their unique properties.
How Terpenes contribute to the Entourage Effect
Terpenes are the aromatic or sweet smelling compounds found in the majority of fruits, plants, and herbs, including cannabis. The tangy smell of lemons, the pungent scent of pine, and the soothing fragrance of lavender – you guessed it, are due to the terpenes in these.
Within the cannabis plant, terpenes are naturally produced in its sticky resin glands. These cannabis terpenes are responsible for the variety of distinct aromas exuded by each strain of cannabis.
By stimulating the olfactory receptors in noses, terpenes bring about a number of psychological and physiological effects that are highly beneficial to the body.
How The Entourage Effect Can Help Select Across CBD Products
When looking to buy CBD, there are several types of CBD to choose from. We will look at four types here : CBD isolate, Broad Spectrum CBD, Full Spectrum CBD, and Whole plant extracts.
The influence of the entourage effect can vary significantly depending on the type of CBD that is used.
To recognize which CBD type can maximize the entourage effect, we need to explore the diverse chemical profiles of each type.
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate is created by isolating CBD and stripping all the other substances from the cannabis plant extract. This gives us a pure CBD Isolate extract.
CBD isolate products do not consist of any other cannabinoids or terpenes. Consequently, in and of itself, CBD isolate will not facilitate the Entourage Effect. CBD isolate can deliver the medicinal effects of CBD; nevertheless, if the patient is restricted to pure CBD by law, CBD isolates substantially restrict the possible effects of Cannabis.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full Spectrum CBD is generated by extracting the cannabinoids and terpenes found existing in the Cannabis plant, including THC.
Because Full Spectrum CBD contains the complete range of cannabinoids and terpenes, it can deliver an effective Entourage Effect with benefits that will certainly far exceed those possible by CBD isolate alone.
However, Full Spectrum CBD contains THC. Due to the legal status of THC in most states, Full Spectrum CBD can unfortunately only be used by those residing in states where marijuana or cannabis is legalized.
For those who stay in a state where Cannabis is unlawful, there is, thankfully, a remedy.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad Spectrum CBD is a mix between CBD isolate and Full Spectrum CBD.
Just like Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD too is manufactured by extracting all cannabinoids and terpenes from the Cannabis plant. However, it then undergoes an additional process meant to completely remove all THC from the extract. This means Broad Spectrum CBD has no THC in it.
Broad Spectrum CBD can provide most of the Entourage Effect benefits of Full Spectrum CBD. And by removing THC from the extract, it fulfills the strict legal regulations of states where marijuana is not legalized yet.
Whole Plant Extracts
Whole Plant Extracts (also called Full Plant Extracts) are not to be confused with Full Spectrum CBD.
Both Whole Plant Extracts and Full Spectrum CBD have the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, Whole Plant Extracts undergo less processing than Full Spectrum CBD. This means Whole Plant Extracts can, in addition, contain various other naturally produced compounds in the Cannabis plant, like fats, fiber, vitamins, as well as various other nutrients.
Inevitably Whole Plant Extracts are certain to produce the most powerful Entourage Effect, Having said that, since they would also contain THC, they are regulated under the very same laws as THC.
If you live in a state with broad marijuana legislations or where marijuana is legal, Whole Plant Extracts will certainly be the very best choice for experiencing the maximum entourage effect.
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