The benefits of CBD and the psychoactive effects of THC are quite evident after the countless research studies conducted over the past few decades. Both newbies and avid users are well-aware of what these cannabinoids have to offer.
However, if there is one thing both seasoned connoisseurs and new users are often perplexed about is the entourage effect from cannabis? In this blog, we will shed light upon what the entourage effect is, why you should know about it, and how you can incorporate this information in uplifting your overall cannabis consumption experience.
What is the Entourage Effect?
There are several aspects of the cannabis plant that contribute to achieving the desired effects of your cannabis consumption. These include:
Major Cannabinoids
These are compounds present in cannabis. Two of the most popular cannabinoids found and used in strains are cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While CBD is known for its multitude of psychoactive effects, THC provides you with a psychoactive buzz. It is also why most medical cannabis strains and products are based on CBD, while recreational cannabis is dominated by THC.
Minor Cannabinoids
There are several other, less popular, cannabinoids at play in cannabis that contribute to a strain’s overall effects. Some of these include Cannabidolic Acid (CBDA), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabinol (CBN), and Cannabigerol (CBG).
Terpenes
These are compounds that provide strains in their taste and aroma. There are different types of terpenes that have unique characteristics – some have a citrusy or piney aroma, while others carry the taste and smell of lavender. Some of the most popular terpenes include Myrcene (earthy and musky aroma), Limonene (citrusy aroma), Caryophyllene (spicy aroma), and Alpha-Pinene (flowery and citrusy aroma), among others.
The synergy of these compounds and more in a cannabis plant enable it to offer the effects a user enjoys. This synergized effect from a combination of different compounds is labeled as the entourage effect.
The concept behind this effect is that the experience you’re getting from the synergy of multiple cannabis compounds is entirely different from what each of these compounds will offer in isolation.
The Research behind the Entourage Effect
Professors Shimon Ben-Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam studied the entourage effect back in 1998. According to their findings, obtaining the entourage effect enables your endocannabinoid system to work more seamlessly, making it (the entourage effect) better than the effects from products containing isolated compounds.
However, experts suggest that our knowledge of the entourage effect and what it entails is still very minimal, which is why there are a lot of studies currently underway on this subject. Amidst all the hype about the entourage effect, there are some researchers who are questioning if it is as simple as some marketers are showcasing it to be.
On the other hand, a study on the contribution of different cannabinoids found that certain minor cannabinoids amplify the effects of CBD and THC. An Instructor of Medicine and cannabis expert – Dr. Jordan Tishler, states that the presence of CBD in a strain modulates THC’s effects, which is evidence of the entourage effect being real.
Dr. Tishler also states that we still have to catch up on a lot of research on certain cannabinoids like CBN or CBG, which may help us understand their association with THC. He further went on to state that there are certain pure THC and CBD products in the market that don’t perform as well in isolation as they do in combination with other compounds of the plant.
Forms of the Entourage Effect
According to recent studies, this effect has been divided into two unique phenomena, the inter-entourage effect and the intra-entourage effect. The former type refers to the synergies and interactions between terpenes and cannabinoids, while the latter deals with the terpene-to-terpene and cannabinoid-to-cannabinoid association.
Currently, there isn’t much research available to support intra-entourage effects – most studies have been focused on inter-entourage effects up till now.
All the information in this blog boils down to one simple question: is the entourage effect real or not?
Experts believe it is real based on the available studies, but our understanding of this phenomenon is extremely limited. More research is underway on this subject, and maybe we will be able to come to a concrete conclusion a couple of years down the road.
The Best Las Vegas Dispensary Near Me
Now you can buy your favorite cannabis products and strains online at the best Las Vegas dispensary – Medizin.
Medizin is an award-winning Vegas dispensary that offers a wide range of premium cannabis strains and products in-store and online. Place your order now for delivery or curbside pickup!
You can also visit our Las Vegas dispensary to meet our knowledgeable budtenders, who can help you navigate all your cannabis needs. Our store is operational between 8:00am to 12:00am from Sunday to Wednesday, and between 8:00am to 3:00am from Thursday to Saturday.
