What Is the Entourage Effect?

A lot of people both online and in dispensaries across the country talk about the entourage effect and the potential benefits that it can have. But…what is the entourage effect? In this blog, we’ll cover the full definition and discuss how it could be beneficial as you pursue alternative health options through cannabis. This, then, is the entourage effect explained.

Phytocannabinoids Grouping & Combination

If you’re new to cannabis, you’re likely aware of THC and CBD and might even know how they interact with the human body to produce a wide range of benefits. But the cannabis plant is complex, and there are numerous other phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids that are found naturally in the cannabis plant) that add value when paired together. The aptly named “entourage effect” is a grouping of these different compounds which may include THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, and many others. As we learn more about these additional compounds, more information is added to the internet to help provide education surrounding cannabis and aid in each customer’s buying decision.

The Entourage Effect Explained

The main concept of the entourage effect is that additional benefits can be achieved when more than one phytocannabinoid is introduced to the human body. Numerous studies have pointed to the relationship between CBD and THC, and specifically that CBD offers enhanced results when activated by a small amount of THC (which is why most CBD-focused products will contain up to 0.3% THC unless they are sold strictly as isolates). The same goes for other phytocannabinoids, and research is being conducted to determine how these pairings can be perfected. As we discover more about lesser-known phytocannabinoids and terpenes contained within the cannabis plant, we can develop new products that provide enhanced results for managing pain, inflammation, anxiety, epilepsy, fungal infections, and even cancer, over products that contain only CBD or THC.

We don’t have definitive proof of the entourage effect per se, and more research is required to be able to make any medical claims about it, though numerous doctors believe that it is a very real phenomenon and one that could offer a plethora of additional benefits to those attempting to manage common ailments with alternative medicine.

Potential Benefits of the Entourage Effect

So far, the evidence we have suggests that pairing different phytocannabinoids together can result in some very positive outcomes. For example:

Entourage Effect Positive Outcomes

● Pairing the pinene terpene with THC could provide increased memory function
● Pairing CBD with caryophyllene could be an effective treatment for addiction
● Pairing the terpene limonene with CBD could help with reducing anxiety
● Pairing THC with CBN could act as a tool for advanced sedation

Again, we need more research in order to fully prove these theories, but the future looks hopeful. For now, you can experiment with various different products to figure out what works best for your particular ailment. After all, what is the entourage effect going to do for you unless you try it out for yourself?

Which Products Should You Choose?

If you’re looking to experience the entourage effect firsthand, you’ll want to look for products that are labeled as “full-spectrum”. At Life Flower Dispensary, we carry an assortment of full-spectrum products that include the phytocannabinoids discussed – in fact, they include ALL of them. In products that use extracted oil from cannabis plants, full-spectrum means that the oil is pure – nothing has been removed. Supercritical CO₂ extraction machines are used to take pure oil from the plants which contain everything that is naturally occurring, so from CBD and THC to CBC, CBN, CBG, and more, it’s all there. If you prefer flower, you’re in luck as well, as flower is the most natural form of cannabis and contains everything required to produce the entourage effect as well.

That’s the entourage effect explained! Feel free to shop our wide selection of recreational cannabis products and medical cannabis products today and experience different pairings for yourself.