What is the Entourage Effect?

If it’s your first time visiting Green Cannabis Co., you can expect three things: great products, great deals, and for our budtenders to ask what type of experience you’re seeking. 

“Doesn’t all weed just get you high,”  you might ask yourself. 

And while we do offer an array of products that can help with that – including some that won’t! – cannabis is much more than getting high. Today’s recreational market offers hundreds (if not thousands) of strains, each promising its own unique effect fingerprint. 

There are products that position themselves as productivity and creativity-boosters, some that promise stress relief and improved sleep, or you can go with a strain that’s known for its feel-good, euphoric effects. These are just a few examples of what to expect from your cannabis products, and it’s why budtenders narrow down the menu by asking you about your needs or preferences. 

The question remains, though: how can they all promise unique experiences if it’s THC that’s responsible for getting us high?

To scientists and cannabis enthusiasts alike, this is known as the entourage effect. This theory explains how the compounds in cannabis work together synergistically to produce the plant’s magic. In other words, it’s why some strains may provide a sedative, pain-relieving effect while others may not. 

Though this theory has millions of cannabis enthusiasts backing it, the research behind it is a bit more contentious. In this article, we’ll cover what the entourage effect is and why it has the scientific community divided. 

What is the Entourage Effect? 

To explain the entourage effect, let’s break down what makes up cannabis. You likely already know the stars of the show: THC and CBD, but there are hundreds of other compounds present in the plant. Each strain also contains a distinct amount of compounds compared to the next, which means when we consume cannabis, it’s possible that these compounds work in concert to create an experience that varies strain-to-strain. 

There are three main components that contribute to the entourage effect, which include: 

• Cannabinoids — the “bodily effect” compounds such as THC, CBD, CBN, etc.
• Terpenes — the aromatic compounds which give the strain its scent
• Flavonoids — the flavor elements

On their own, cannabinoids and terpenes have some pretty notable effects on the body. For instance, myrcene, one of the most abundant terpenes in cannabis, has been proven to help target pain. Other studies show that terpenes like beta-caryophyllene help treat anxiety and depression – similar to research done on CBD isolate.

So what happens when you pair these together, as is naturally found in cannabis?

This is why the entourage effect is so highly praised. According to its advocates, the combination of these compounds creates effects that would otherwise not be experienced with pure THC or CBD.

It’d be like the difference between an apple and cold-pressed apple juice. When you eat an apple, your body receives the antioxidants, nutrients, and fibers found in it. However, when you drink apple juice, those precious vitamins are lost – which is shown to have negative impacts on your body compared to its natural form.

In the world of cannabis, this logic is why some people choose flower or full-spectrum concentrates over isolates.

Fact vs. Fiction

The entourage effect is supported by a plethora of anecdotal evidence, but the scientific research behind it is lacking. Like many aspects of cannabis science, more research needs to be conducted before we have a conclusive answer.

The most commonly cited example in support of the entourage effect is what we know regarding how CBD and THC interact with each other. Studies show that CBD mitigates the paranoia-producing effects of THC by blocking some cannabinoid receptors.

Other studies show that CBD can also help reduce some of the temporary memory problems associated with THC. This suggests that strains with varying levels of THC to CBD will produce different experiences for the user. 

But how does this hold up when it comes to terpenes or the less-common cannabinoids?

This is where the science community is divided. 

Unfortunately, there are very few studies that explore the entourage effect in humans. In fact, double-blind clinical trials, which are considered the gold standard for research, have yet to be conducted to investigate the effects of cannabis terpenes. At this moment, it is still only a theory that’s supported by primarily anecdotal evidence. 

One argument that opposing scientists make is that the entourage effect is a result of the placebo effect. When consumers are told what to expect from a strain, they are much more likely to report those effects. One 2020 review of research on the entourage effect concluded that the term is “unfounded and used mainly for marketing,” while other reports claim mixed results. 

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, the anecdotal claims of the entourage effect remain plentiful. Millions of cannabis enthusiasts report using different strains for their various benefits, and there are even websites dedicated to archiving strains and their unique effect fingerprints.

Research studies may one day establish the existence of the entourage effect, but that day has not yet arrived. Regardless, we remain hopeful of the research that’s on the horizon!

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