The entourage effect refers to the compounded health benefits obtained when consuming a product containing numerous cannabis compounds. 

Now, the cannabis plant contains over 480 compounds. These compounds are broadly categorized into cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Cannabinoids refer to compounds that account for the vast majority of marijuana’s healing properties. Two of the most popular cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). On the other hand, terpenes mostly give cannabinoids their distinctive tastes and flavors. Examples include limonene and pinene and CBD Coffee 

After harvesting cannabis, the raw materials undergo rigorous extraction processes, where manufacturers attempt to isolate specific cannabinoids from the mix. That’s how we end up with products like CBD edibles or THC oil tinctures. 

Besides isolating specific marijuana compounds, manufacturers may also decide to produce cannabis products containing CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids and numerous terpenes.

Cannabis plant

How to Judge the Entourage Effect

It’s important to emphasize that not all cannabis-derived products produce the entourage effect. That underscores the importance of purchasing weed products from a reliable supplier like cbdoil.co.uk. And while you’re at it, carefully examine the product label. Usually, cannabis-based products that deliver the entourage effect are known as ‘full-spectrum’ products. 

But first and foremost, you’d want to familiarize yourself with what the entourage effect feels like. 

As we’ve already indicated, CBD and THC are the two most popular cannabinoids. Each of these compounds comes with numerous health benefits. 

Cannabidiol is mostly used for pain management. The substance helps treat pain by increasing the body’s signaling of certain endocannabinoids that play a role in pain management, such as anandamide. 

CBD also contains anti-anxiety properties. It might help relieve various anxiety disorders like panic disorder and social anxiety disorder, as well as other mental conditions like stress, depression, and mood swings. 

Other common medical conditions that CBD might treat include;

• Inflammatory conditions like cancer
• Neurological disorders, such as epileptic seizures
• Sleep disorders like insomnia
• Metabolic syndromes like irritable bowel syndrome
• Skin conditions like eczema

Tetrahydrocannabinol is most famous for its psychotropic properties. In fact, THC is the main cannabis compound mostly associated with euphoria, which explains its popularity among recreational marijuana users. But besides its psychedelic properties, tetrahydrocannabinol also comes with powerful medicinal effects.  

Much like CBD, THC is also effective against pain. The only difference is how these substances affect the user’s body. While CBD mostly treats pain by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors located in the body’s peripheral regions, THC relieves pain by activating the brain and central nervous system pathways. 

In addition to pain relief, THC might also be useful in easing nausea and boosting appetite. So far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a THC-based antinausea drug known as Marinol to treat chemotherapy-induced pain among cancer patients.

Other common uses of THC include;

• Protecting against neurodegeneration
• Protecting against certain bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
• Enhancing sleep quality and duration
• Enhancing the senses
• Treating anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder

The entourage effect expresses itself when you consume cannabis products containing significant CBD and THC levels, to put it briefly. But remember, these are not the only cannabinoids a marijuana product could contain. Other popular cannabinoids include Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), and Cannabinol (CBN). 

Besides cannabinoids, full-spectrum products also contain several terpenes. Terpenes work in the same way as aromatherapy – enhancing the scent, tastes, and flavors of a cannabis product. It’s important to carefully study the ingredients of a marijuana product before choosing it, as each terpene has its distinctive effects.

In addition to carrying the flavors of cannabinoids, some terpenes also provide healing properties. For instance, limonene is associated with mood-elevation; beta-caryophyllene delivers anti-inflammatory effects, whereas pinene enhances memory and mental alertness.

A bottle of dried cannabis buds

Further Research on the Entourage Effect

According to a 2011 review of studies published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, consuming cannabis products containing significant levels of phytocannabinoids and terpenes could offer relief against the following medical conditions;

• Pain – both nociceptive and neuropathic pain
• Anxiety disorders
• Inflammation
• Epileptic seizures
• Fungal infections
• Certain cancers

Findings from the same reviews suggest that cannabidiol may help to attenuate the adverse effects of tetrahydrocannabinol, including hallucinations, anxiety, sedation, and hunger. 

A 2018 research investigating the entourage effects of cannabis uncovered that consuming certain flavonoids and terpenes might offer anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits. Researchers concluded that THC, CBG, limonene, pinene, and other cannabis compounds might enhance the therapeutic effects of CBD.

A person lighting a cannabis bong

Taking Care of Dosing

There’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to determining the right amount of CBD or THC to consume. 

As you shall find, that depends on various factors, including;

• Age

Kids should consume lower CBD and THC doses. That’s primarily because of their underdeveloped immunity. 

The same applies to the elderly, the sick, and people recovering from surgical operations, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mums.

• Body mass

Generally, cannabinoids take effect sooner for people with smaller bodies, as there’s less time taken to travel from the site of delivery to the bloodstream.

• Your metabolic rate

All other factors held constant; people with a higher metabolic rate should consume lower doses of full-spectrum cannabis products.

• Your sensitivity or tolerance to either compound

The more sensitive you are to CBD or THC, the lower the doses you should consume. On the flip side, a higher tolerance for cannabis compounds translates to higher doses. 

You just need to ensure your tolerance for CBD, THC, or other marijuana compounds doesn’t degenerate into addiction and dependency.

• Delivery method

Cannabis products come in numerous forms, depending on a user’s intended mode of administration. Examples include inhalable, smokables, edibles, oral tinctures, and topicals. As you shall find, the size of your dose largely depends on your delivery method. 

For instance, oral tinctures, inhalable, and smokables have a faster onset time and higher bioavailability than topicals and edibles. Higher bioavailability means that more cannabinoids enter your system relative to the total amount consumed, and it generally corresponds with lower doses.

• The strength of either compound in a cannabis product

Both CBD and THC are measured in milligrams (mg). Logic dictates that the higher the strength of a cannabinoid in a product, the lower the doses. 

A bottle of CBD oil

While the entourage effect is generally a welcome experience, it could also result in a host of unpleasant side effects. New cannabis users are advised to start with low doses of common cannabinoids, preferably 5 mg of THC and between 5 and 15 mg of CBD.

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