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What Is the Entourage Effect in CBD?

Asé Pure Naturals here to show you why the entourage effect is a good thing 

There’s a fancy term in the cannabis industry called the entourage effect. Today we’ll take a look at what this term means, how it can help you to reach your health and wellness goals, and what products you’ll need to buy if you want the entourage effect to help you.

Key Points

  • What is the entourage effect in cannabis and CBD products?
  • How does the entourage effect help you?
  • What products do you buy if you want to take advantage of the entourage effect?

What Is Meant by the Entourage Effect?

It might sound a little scary at first, but the entourage effect is actually a good thing. Let’s take a look at what it is, exactly, and why this mysterious terminology is used so frequently in the cannabis industry.

Entourage Effect Meaning

Defined, the entourage effect is this: The entourage effect is a theory based on the behaviors of phytocannabinoids derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. It involves the understanding we have of how phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids derived from plants) such as THC, CBG, CBN, and CBD work together to create a blended effect that is thought to be more beneficial than any of these components alone.

Entourage Effect Explained

It’s difficult to explain a theory that isn’t fully understood. While the studies on CBD and other cannabinoids, and how they interact with the endocannabinoid system in our bodies is ongoing, we still don’t have an extensive body of evidence that shows us how it all works. 

The theory of the entourage effect is based on how these cannabinoids work individually and how they work together. For example, CBN appears to minimize the unwanted effects of THC while helping to support the desired effects of THC and other cannabinoids. And the homeostasis we all long for to maintain greater health and wellness is better supported with a variety of these phytocannabinoids working in partnership, each amplifying the effects of the other, and CBN keeping THC tempered so we get the benefits without unwanted feelings. 

Our understanding of the entourage effect may seem presumptuous, but it is based on the existing evidence on cannabis studies, CBD studies, and on the work of Israeli chemists Shimon Ben-Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam who first named the concept in 1998. Not everyone in the cannabis or scientific communities support the idea, but anecdotal evidence of CBD product users seems to support the theory. We can only hope for more outgoing and thorough research to fully flesh out the way these cannabinoids interact with each other and within our bodies.

How Does the Entourage Effect Help?

The entourage effect can help you to get more from your CBD products. If you are aware of what it means, purchase the right products for you, then you can take advantage of a naturally occurring behavior of cannabinoids. Many people want to know what the entourage effect feels like and if it will make them feel differently than, say, other CBD products that do not contain a variety of cannabinoids, or perhaps no THC. So, how does the entourage effect actually affect you? How does it matter when you are choosing and using CBD products?

What Does the Entourage Effect Feel Like?

The entourage effect does not refer necessarily to a feeling in your body but more the micro-activities that take place in your endocannabinoid system, which processes CBD and other cannabinoids.

While you may feel the effects of these cannabinoids by way of better calm, greater relaxation or stress management, better sleep and other helpful benefits, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what the entourage effect feels like. A better explanation would be that your CBD benefits and other beneficial cannabinoids and how they affect you – would be overall or generally improved.

How Is the Entourage Effect Helpful?

You may not feel a whole lot different or you may feel a great deal different. Cannabis products, CBD, and other cannabinoids and terpenes affect all of us a little differently. This is why we suggest trying a small serving of CBD products to get used to the product and then making small changes to the amount you take until you begin to see the benefits you are after.

We also recommend that if you are not getting the benefits you want to not rule out CBD products altogether but to take a look at several factors:

  • The serving size of the CBD product you are taking.
  • The frequency of use of your CBD products.
  • The strength of your CBD products – this will be in terms of milligrams and posted on the product labeling.
  • The type of CBD you are using – full spectrum CBD or broad spectrum CBD, which will tell you whether or not your product contains THC. (Full spectrum is the one that contains THC and by law it will be less than .3%.)

Whether or not you are “on board” with this concept of the entourage effect, here’s a little more about how it works to provide greater CBD benefits for your body, mind, and mood:

  • The entourage effect does not get you high.
  • Cannabinoids work synergistically.
  • Entourage effect works better for full spectrum CBD products which contain THC and other cannabinoids and terpenes.

If You Want to Take Advantage of the Entourage Effect

Now that we’ve looked at what the entourage effect proposes, how can you make sure to take advantage of this unique behavior of cannabinoids? How can you make sure your products contain what you need for the entourage effect to kick in? 

Here’s what you need to look for – and you can find this information either on the product labeling or on the online product pages for the product or products you are using. You can use one CBD product that has everything you need or you can use a layering of CBD products, each with different combinations of cannabinoids. Basically you want this:

  • THC – (tetrahydrocannabinol) THC is the most studied cannabinoid, for obvious reasons, as yes, this is the component in cannabis that results in the “high” feeling associated with marijuana. The difference here is in the amounts. By law, CBD and cannabis products can only have less than .3% of THC in the product formulation. For reasons we don’t quite fully understand, THC is an important component of the entourage effect.
  • CBD – (cannabidiol) The most abundant cannabinoid and the most well-known for its benefits, CBD is an important component if you want to achieve wellness heightened by the entourage effect.
  • CBN – (cannabinol) You’ll want this important cannabinoid included in your CBD product formulation. Its interaction with THC is unique and this partnership will help your body as it interacts with a well-rounded CBD formulation that includes CBN.

Other cannabinoids and terpenes such as CBG (cannabigerol). While alone these cannabinoids and terpenes are not as known for their benefits – together they contribute to the entourage effect.

What CBD Products Should You Buy?

As we stated earlier, it is important to use full spectrum CBD products if you want to take advantage of the entourage effect. Fortunately, we offer both broad spectrum CBD products for those who are THC-aversive, and full spectrum CBD products for those who are excited about the benefits of the entourage effect along with the added relaxing benefits (without the “high” feeling, of course) of the THC.

Here are two great options for a well-blended cannabinoid selection that contributes to the entourage effect:

  • CBD full spectrum tinctures bundle: This link is for the bundle which contains three bottles of the 900 mg full spectrum CBD tinctures, plenty to get you started on CBD and save a little money while you’re at it. It does take a bit of time to get the serving size settled so you are on the right amount that works best for you. Buying a bundle can help make sure you have what you need during this introductory time.
  • CBD full spectrum Softgel capsules: If you’re not interested in measurable tinctures and just want a one-and-done approach, the capsules may be your best option. In the same 900 mg concentration, these capsules contain all the necessary ingredients to contribute to the entourage effect.

 

A Note About Full Spectrum CBD Products

Federal law allows the small amounts of THC in these full spectrum products, but state laws can be a bit different. Check with the laws in your state and also with the requirements of your employer or other organizations you may be a part of. Not all professions and organizations allow THC of any kind to be in your system. Even the broad spectrum products may not be allowed as your particular employer or organization may test for any part of the Cannabis sativa plant. 

It’s best to talk first with your doctor or other medical professional. Many more doctors are open about recommending CBD products to their patients, especially medical professionals who take a more holistic approach to healthcare. It may be possible for your doctor to help you with the paperwork necessary to show an employer that you are taking these types of products for your health and wellness or at the guidance of your doctor. 

Fortunately for all of us the 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for more loose regulations, deregulating cannabis derivatives, allowing for us to pursue CBD products for our personal health and wellness. We hope to see this trend of greater acceptance continue so more people can benefit from the various components of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant. If your state still has tight regulations and makes it difficult for you, consider writing to your state representatives to let them know how you feel!

 

Let CBD and the Entourage Effect Bring You Calm

Thank you for reading today about the fascinating but somewhat confusing topic: the entourage effect in cannabis and CBD products. We hope this information helps you make more informed choices about your CBD products.

Here at Asé Pure Naturals, our goal is to bring you CBD products that help you prioritize your own care – mentally, physically, and otherwise. Your wellness is our top priority. We are here for you if you have any questions about the products we offer. You can join us on Facebook to keep in touch.

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