What Is the Entourage Effect in Cannabis?
Common budtender wisdom will tell you that consuming products with the full range of cannabis compounds will be more impactful than cannabinoid isolates. Scientific research lends some credence to this claim; so what is the entourage effect and how does it shape the ways in which individuals should consume weed?
Understanding the content of your cannabis-based products could help you anticipate the experience you'll have and the potential therapeutic benefits a strain could offer. Check each product’s TAC label to see its cannabinoid and terpene profile for a more detailed insight into its content and possible effects.
What Is the Entourage Effect Theory?
The entourage theory suggests that all the compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant—for example, cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids—produce a synergistic benefit when they work together. According to this theory, full-spectrum cannabis products will offer greater psychoactive or therapeutic effects than one isolated compound due to the way that the compounds interact with each other and the cannabinoid receptors in the human body.
For example, CBD oil (containing CBD isolate) can be used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. However, due to the entourage effect, full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products may produce increased effects compared to CBD isolate alone.
Understanding how your cannabis products work has practical applications for medical and recreational weed consumers. Though experimentation is always encouraged, individuals seeking therapeutic benefits may find full-spectrum products a good starting point.
Cannabinoids and the Entourage Effect
Weed enthusiasts looking for a strong high may be attracted to extremely potent products like THC isolates (THC crystals, THC distillates, and so on). Producing a THC isolate involves removing the other cannabinoids and compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant to leave a highly potent, pure THC product. While these isolates are extremely powerful, THC percentage doesn't tell the full story.
The cannabis plant contains more than 100 different cannabinoids like CBG and CBN in addition to the more well-known THC and CBD. Removing any of these cannabinoids will inevitably alter a product's overall effects.
Many of the products in our Seattle dispensaries feature TAC cannabinoid labeling. A product's TAC label displays which and how much of each cannabinoid is present in each strain. This gives our customers a better idea of the effects they can expect from each product.
Terpenes and the Entourage Effect
Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis plant (and other plants) that produce each strain's unique flavor and aroma profile. They are the basis of most essential oils. For example, the terpene linalool gives lavender its unmistakable scent.
The entourage theory suggests that terpenes contribute to the overall effects of weed. For recreational consumers, they’re a vital part of the sensory experience. Lavender oil (which contains linalool and myrcene, among others) may be useful for treating anxiety disorders. You’ll often find these same terpenes in “relaxing” strains. Other terpenes offer benefits such as a mood boost, anti-inflammatory effects, or pain-relieving effects.
Research that Supports the Entourage Effect Theory
Ethan Russo—one of the key proponents of the entourage effect theory—sought to prove that CBD works to enhance THC's effects. As part of his argument, he cited a 2010 study comparing Sativex (which contains almost a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC) with a THC isolate and the ability of each substance to relieve neuropathic pain caused by multiple sclerosis. Nearly twice as many patients reported pain relief with Sativex (page 181 of the document) as opposed to a placebo or just THC.
Another study compared the effectiveness of CBD-rich cannabis extracts and purified CBD at reducing seizures in epilepsy patients. 71% of the participants who received full-spectrum products reported fewer seizures compared to only 46% of patients receiving purified CBD.
Research that Brings the Theory into Question
The entourage effect theory isn't universally accepted within the scientific community. For example, one review claims that the entourage effect is little more than a marketing ploy that aims to lend scientific weight to drugs that ultimately aren't FDA-approved. The author suggests that the results of studies that appear to prove the entourage effect theory can be explained in other ways. Further research will hopefully shed more light on the interactions between the compounds found in cannabis and the human (endo)cannabinoid system.
Final Thoughts
Whether the entourage effect is the real deal or not, having a working knowledge of the content of your favorite strains will enable you to make informed choices when selecting a product. The entourage effect is also a fascinating base for future research into how different combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes could be used to enhance cannabis's effects.
Recreational consumers may feel that they need to choose full-spectrum products because of their purported increased effects. In practice though, experimenting with a wide range of cannabis products (whole-plant, concentrates, and isolates) is all part of the journey—and the fun!