Whether you just received your medical marijuana card or you’re a long-term cannabis consumer, you’ve likely heard of the two most prevalent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant: THC and CBD. As legalization becomes increasingly common, researchers have begun to explore how these and other compounds work together to produce beneficial effects in the human body, dubbed the “entourage effect.”
LeafMed is a Mississippi medical marijuana dispensary owned by healthcare professionals dedicated to educating consumers on all things cannabis. This article answers the question, “What is the entourage effect?”
What Is the Entourage Effect and How Does It Work?
If you look at a marijuana plant, you’ll notice a sticky resin coating the buds. This substance contains hundreds of compounds that impact the body in various ways. The entourage effect refers to a theory described in this 2011 paper by pharmacologist and neurologist Dr. Ethan Russo that these compounds provide more significant benefits when used together than when used separately.
Although scientists seem to agree that the entourage theory needs further research, this 2010 study in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management supports the hypothesis. Participating cancer patients received one of three extracts containing pure THC, near-equal parts THC and CBD, or a placebo. While patients taking pure THC didn’t experience significant pain relief compared to the placebo group, those taking the THC and CBD combination reported significant pain reduction.
What Compounds Does the Cannabis Plant Contain?
The marijuana plant contains hundreds of compounds, including phytocannabinoids and terpenes. The primary phytocannabinoids (plant-derived cannabinoids) in cannabis include:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produces the psychoactive effects of marijuana and may help quell nausea, relieve pain, and improve appetite.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) may reduce anxiety and depression. It’s also used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure effects.
- Cannabichromene (CBC), the next most prominent cannabinoid in the marijuana plant, may help with pain, anxiety, depression, bone growth, and more.
- Cannabigerol (CBG) is an antibacterial compound that converts into THC and CBD. It may boost motivation and pleasure, relieve pain, and regulate appetite.
- Cannabinol (CBN), a THC metabolite, may reduce inflammation and pain, increase appetite, and promote relaxation.
- Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) can have psychoactive or anti-psychoactive effects, depending on the dose. It may decrease insulin resistance and reduce inflammation.
Terpenes are compounds that affect the smells of various plants and extracts. Terpenes in the cannabis plant include limonene, pinene, eucalyptol, linalool, terpineol, myrcene, bisabolol, and many others, which provide various benefits and contribute to the entourage effect.
How Do the Compounds in Cannabis Work Together?
Researchers haven’t fully explored the question, “What is the entourage effect?” so we have a limited understanding of how these compounds work together in the human body. However, the review linked above by Dr. Russo discusses the synergistic benefits of the cannabinoid CBD and the terpene limonene in reducing acne and the anti-septic benefits of CBG and pinene.
Combining THC with CBD and pinene may reduce short-term memory loss, which THC can cause. Taking cannabis products with various compounds may also have anti-tumor effects.
What Kind of Cannabis Products Produce the Entourage Effect?
Full-spectrum cannabis products contain a mixture of compounds that may promote the entourage effect. The benefits depend on the strain, its particular cannabinoids and terpenes, and the amount of each compound.
Some cannabis products, called isolates, don’t produce the entourage effect because they contain only one compound. For example, pure CBD oil has no THC or other cannabinoids.
How does the entourage effect work?
Scientists are still working to answer the question, “What is the entourage effect, and how does it work?” but preliminary studies show promising benefits from combining cannabis compounds. The entourage effect refers to the synergistic interaction between cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in cannabis. It suggests that the combined effect of these compounds is greater than the sum of their individual effects. This interaction is believed to enhance the therapeutic potential of cannabis and contribute to its overall effectiveness.
At LeafMed, founded and operated by healthcare professionals, we prioritize the optimization of the entourage effect in each possible solution. We understand that the entourage effect, which relies on the combination of various cannabis compounds, holds great potential in enhancing the benefits of medical cannabis. Our selection of full-spectrum medical marijuana products encompasses a diverse range of strains, carefully chosen for their specific cannabinoids and terpenes, allowing us to provide you with the most effective entourage effect experience.
Furthermore, we offer educational resources to help new consumers avoid medical marijuana mistakes and understand the potential benefits of medical cannabis use. As healthcare professionals, we are excited to see what future research reveals regarding the entourage effect. If you have a medical marijuana card in Mississippi, visit a LeafMed dispensary in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, or Vicksburg to shop our selection of high-quality medical cannabis products and experience the optimized entourage effect firsthand.