What Is the Entourage Effect?

Airi Macaluso

Medical Hemp Expert, Hemp Wellness Consultant, and Long-Time Cannabinoid Writer

Cannabis plants look quite simple; however, when you look at compounds from the plant, you will find hundreds of different molecules. While many of these compounds aren’t discussed in regular conversation, you have likely heard of CBD and THC, as they are the most famous components of cannabis. These other compounds do play a role in the effects of cannabis, though.

When you speak to CBD experts, you’ll often hear them mention the “entourage effect.” This is the term that is used to discuss the theory that these compounds all work together to provide unique benefits.

So, What Is the Entourage Effect?

In the simplest of terms, it is the theory that when cannabis or hemp is ingested or inhaled, all the botanical compounds within the plant work together to provide more benefits than each individual compound could provide on its own. In addition, researchers believe that the compounds can actually amplify the benefits of one another.

Dr. Shimon Ben-Shabat and Dr. Raphael Mechloulan are credited with the discovery of how the compounds within cannabis interact with one another and the endocannabinoid system in 1998. However, it wasn’t until later that the term “entourage effect” was coined.

Most modern research into the entourage effect is credited to Dr. Ethan Russo, a leading scientist and cannabis researcher who uses the theory of the entourage effect to advocate for the medical application of whole cannabis.

Russo’s research suggests that breeding cannabis plants to favor the production of certain cannabinoids and terpenes can actually change the way the cannabis works as a whole… which is why some people might feel like some cannabis strains work better than others for specific wellness concerns.

Let’s get one thing straight — the strains all have the same cannabinoids and terpenes, but the quantities and concentrations of these cannabinoids and terpenes may work together to create different effects.

The entourage effect is very similar to the concept of synergy in plant medicine; however, it is only used to describe this type of impact when associated with cannabis.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System?

We’ll be honest — the entourage effect probably won’t make much sense unless you put it into context. Cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, work with the endocannabinoid system.

The human body is packed full of cannabinoid receptors. The two most commonly identified types of cannabinoid receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors, but there may be as many as five total types of cannabinoid-specific receptors.

Aside from those, there are also other receptors throughout the body that can be influenced by cannabinoids. You can think of these as those acquaintances you know, but don’t hang with too often.

The human body is designed to use cannabinoids. You even make your own cannabinoids, called endogenous cannabinoids, to stimulate the system. Cannabis research has discovered at least two cannabinoids produced by the human body, but there may be more. The body makes and uses them so quickly and efficiently that it’s difficult to discover the process in real time.

You have pieces of your endocannabinoid system within almost every major system of your body. Impressive, right?

Your central nervous system, immune system, digestive system, and circadian rhythm are all influenced by your endocannabinoid system. That’s why CBD is believed to offer such a long list of benefits — it can reach and support dozens of processes that influence the way we feel and support our overall wellness.

When we talk about the entourage effect, we’re referring to the way cannabinoids, terpenes, and other natural compounds found in cannabis may support this system and basically help it do its job well. In many cases, this reaction holistically supports the whole system — and the body’s ability to perform its natural functions.

Cannabinoids are like gentle, friendly mentors for your endocannabinoid system — they’re not too pushy, but they do help get the job done.

Qualities of the Entourage Effect

There are three main qualities of the entourage effect:

Amplifies the effects of individual cannabis compounds.
Broader impact on the body due to increased interaction with the endocannabinoid system.
Mediates the endocannabinoid system response by balancing system stimulators and repressors.

These features aren’t necessarily true with CBD products that don’t include all of the compounds naturally found in cannabis. While full-spectrum CBD products will contain more compounds that naturally occur in these plants, other types will contain one or only a few of the compounds.

Types of Compounds Included in the Entourage Effect

These are a group of naturally occurring compounds found in cannabis plants. There are currently many different cannabinoids that have been identified within cannabis, but the most commonly known cannabinoids are THC and CBD.

There are hundreds of minor cannabinoids that may boast unique effects. CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), and CBN (cannabinol) are often used to help enhance CBD products even more and broaden their effects profile. Research is still ongoing, but minor cannabinoids do show a lot of promise.

Terpenes

A group of chemical compounds found in hemp and nearly every other plant on earth that give each plant a unique scent profile. While terpenes are known for creating fragrances, they can also have additional benefits. There are around 120 terpenes that have been identified in cannabis, but there are over 20,000 in the world. Terpenes are used in aromatherapy and may help to gently support your mood.

You encounter terpenes every day, probably without even realizing it! The relaxing smell of lavender, for example, comes from a terpene called linalool, and the bright, zesty smell of citrus fruits is the result of a terpene called limonene.

Myrcene, the terpene known for giving hemp products their funky, more sour smell, naturally occurs in fruits like mangoes. Pinene gives pine trees their sharp, earthy aroma, the spiciness of black peppercorns comes from caryophyllene, and the natural essential oils you use in your diffuser at home are all plant-derived terpenes — so yes, terpenes really are all around you.

Flavonoids

These are any number of a large class of plant pigments that have a structure that is based on or similar to that of flavone. Flavonoids are largely responsible for the color of a flower or plant to help attract pollinators to plants. Additionally, flavonoids are known as antioxidant agents that may help protect the body from harmful toxins.

Whole plant foods and plant-derived foods and drinks contain flavonoids. Flavonoids give blueberries their rich purple color, turn beets bright magenta, and give tomatoes a ripe, red glow. Flavonoids create the colors of nature and make gardens beautiful!

Due to the entourage effect, it is believed that full-spectrum CBD products will provide more benefits than isolate products. It is all based around the idea of a synergistic effect between the chemical compounds within the plants.

How Does the Entourage Effect Feel?

CBD affects everyone differently, and the way it makes people feel can depend on numerous factors, such as genetics, age, lifestyle, health conditions, and more. For this reason, it is very difficult to determine how the entourage effect actually makes someone feel.

Most people can’t exactly pinpoint the way that cannabinoids make them feel unless the cannabinoids have pronounced psychoactive effects.

It’s easy to tell that you feel differently when you use a large amount of a cannabinoid like THC, but the difference is generally a lot more subtle with CBD oil.

CBD and most minor cannabinoids don’t have the potential for psychoactivity, and you may not feel them “kick in.” Instead, they give a gradual, gentle nudge to your mind and body while providing you with overall holistic support. Many people report feeling calm, and you may experience an overall broad feeling of wellness that’s difficult to explain other than to say, “Wow, I do feel nice.”

It is important to note that full-spectrum CBD is more potent than CBD isolate, as the additional compounds in the formula will provide stronger effects. When you use CBD isolate products, you will likely need a higher dose to get the same effects as you would with a lower dose of a full-spectrum product.

Full-spectrum CBD products also tend to have a stronger flavor than isolates. This is because the terpenes are still present in full-spectrum products that provide both aroma and flavor.

What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?

Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in cannabis plants. To comply with federal guidelines, levels of THC are limited to less than 0.3%, but it is still included in products to increase the effectiveness of the benefits. However, full spectrum isn’t the only category of CBD products.

Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolates are also popular on the market. Broad-spectrum CBD products contain nearly all of the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes found in the plant with the exception of THC. CBD isolate products contain only CBD with none of the other compounds present.

Since broad-spectrum and CBD isolate products don’t fully utilize the entourage effect, they are considered by some to be less effective. Based on the entourage effect, full-spectrum CBD would provide the most benefits, followed by broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. At Veritas Farms, nearly all of our products are made using full-spectrum CBD, bringing the most beneficial CBD products to our customers.

Broad Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolates

Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolates are popular among people who cannot use CBD products that contain detectable levels of THC. They’re excellent solutions for people who are interested in experiencing the wellness benefits of cannabinoids in a way that’s suitable to their lifestyles.

Broad-spectrum CBD products contain nearly all of the cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes found in the plant with the exception of THC. As mentioned, CBD isolate products contain only CBD without any of the other compounds present.

Since these two CBD products don’t contain the full range of compounds, their “entourage effects are stifled. Therefore, full-spectrum CBD products would provide the strongest effect, followed by broad-spectrum CBD, and then CBD isolate.

Experience the Entourage Effect

At Veritas Farms, nearly all of our products are made using full-spectrum CBD, bringing the most beneficial CBD products to our customers. Nature made hemp perfect, so we prefer to leave every cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid intact. This way, you get to experience the full wealth of benefits that hemp has to offer.

We also offer CBD isolate products. While CBD isolate products won’t promote the entourage effect, they may be a better option for people who prefer to avoid products containing trace amounts of THC.

To learn more about Veritas Farms’ full selection of CBD products, please visit us at theveritasfarms.com.

Sources:

The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain | Frontiers in Plant Science

Cannabinoid Receptors in the Central Nervous System: Their Signaling and Roles in Disease | Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience

Terpenes in Cannabis sativa – From plant genome to humans | PubMed | National Institutes of Health

Plant Flavonoids: Chemical Characteristics and Biological Activity | PubMed | National Institutes of Health