Entourage Effect: The Power Behind the Benefits of CBD Products
You are as good as the company you keep. Thanks to the entourage effect, that’s a good thing for those who use CBD products. The entourage effect is the idea all compounds found in cannabis are best when taken together than when taken separately. This can be likened to eating an orange when you want vitamin C benefits compared to eating a vitamin C tablet.
While the entourage effect plays
a crucial role in the benefits of CBD, not all products will trigger this
phenomenon. Knowing if your formula is entourage effect-enriched is critical
for those using hemp extract for optimal wellness. Let Made by Hemp guide you
through the ins and outs of the entourage effect.
How Do I Know if My CBD Product Has the Entourage Effect?
It’s so easy to get caught up in
the excitement surrounding the ever-growing presence of CBD products in health
and wellness shops. Like any new product you purchase, it’s important to check
out the label. There are many telling pieces of information on them, including
if the product has the entourage effect.
Now, most CBD products won’t
openly say, “Entourage effect included.” Instead, you are going to look for
other words that classify what type of CBD product you are purchasing. While
they all come with their own sets of benefits, these each have a different
level of potency. Here are some terms to look out for when shopping for the
highest-quality CBD products.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Full spectrum is the terminology
to look for when seeking a product which has the entourage effect. CBD products
that is truly full spectrum are extracted while maintaining the integrity of
as many cannabinoids as possible, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),
therefore, CBD oil derived from hemp will have trace levels of THC up to .3% by
law.
Its low concentration of this
molecule makes the product non-intoxicating. However, with THC in the equation,
all of the cannabinoids are present. All cannabinoids being accounted for is
the basis of the entourage effect and what makes full spectrum CBD oil one of
the highest-quality hemp products on the market.
So, if you are buying CBD oil,
and it’s labeled as full spectrum as well as zero THC… it’s not full spectrum.
Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
Broad spectrum CBD oil also
carries the entourage effect, for the most part. However, the formula is likely
not as potent as full spectrum hemp extract. The reason for this is that broad
spectrum CBD oil contains little to no THC.
After the extraction process,
some companies will remove THC from the final product. However, the remaining
cannabinoids remain in the formula, therefore, broad spectrum can sometimes
also technically be full spectrum, depending on the formula. Since THC levels
are so low in hemp to begin with, the differences are minimal. However,
broad-spectrum CBD oil may not be as bioavailable or beneficial as full
spectrum.
CBD Isolate
When you first see the words,
“CBD isolate,” you might interpret that the product is a potent dose of this
cannabinoid. While there are benefits to using CBD isolate, you are
legitimately purchasing CBD that’s isolated from other hemp compounds. That
means there are no additional cannabinoids in the formula. Therefore, if you
are buying CBD isolate, you most likely won’t experience the benefits of the
entourage effect.
The benefit to CBD isolate,
however, is that it is completely THC Free, and thus anyone needing to avoid
any amount of THC can feel safe taking this product as it won’t cause a failed
THC drug test.
CBD, THC, and the Entourage Effect
If you brush your hand over a
hemp flower, you’ll notice microscopic hairs float into the atmosphere. These
are known as trichomes. Like human hair follicles, trichomes have glands.
Within these glands lie chemical compounds that make cannabis one of the most
unique plants on this earth–cannabinoids.
Research indicates there are 113
known phytocannabinoids on record. Each cannabinoid has its own molecular
structure that allows it to interact with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system in
its own unique way.
The two most commonly known
cannabinoids are THC and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the cannabinoid primarily
found in marijuana. It’s the reason the plant has intoxicating properties.
However, there are low doses of THC also found in hemp.
Under federal law, all hemp
extracts need to be formulated using hemp plants with a THC concentration of
0.3% or less. Otherwise, the product is technically considered marijuana.
Instead of higher levels of THC, hemp plants are abundant in CBD.
CBD is responsible for opening
the eyes of the mainstream media because this cannabinoid exhibits a litany of
beneficial side effects, with none of them causing a mind-altering experience.
With that being said, CBD doesn’t do all this beneficial work for your endocannabinoid
system on its own. It gets by with a little help from its friends.
The Entourage Effect and Cannabinoids
While there are benefits to THC
and CBD, you won’t experience maximum results without the other 111
phytocannabinoids discovered by humankind. Research on the entourage effect
primarily looks at how THC and CBD interact with other chemical compounds found
in hemp. However, there has been research and studies conducted on several
phytocannabinoids and their potential benefits as well.
While in their beginning stages,
the studies are promising. These early analyses also lend credence to the fact
the entourage effect exists, and that this phenomenon plays a vital role in
experiencing maximum benefits from hemp extract.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
Like CBD, CBC doesn’t seem to
elicit an intoxicating experience. This cannabinoid also shows to be
antagonists of our TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors. These receptors play a role in
our pain perception. In addition, early studies report that CBC may be
potentially beneficial in neurogenesis.
Cannabinol (CBN)
This cannabinoid has started to
make waves in the scientific community for its possible sedative effects. Our
body converts THC to CBN. While it’s not psychoactive or intoxicating, the way
CBN interacts with the CB1 receptor may be the reason those exposed to THC get
those sleepy eyes. Preliminary sleep studies with CBN are promising for those
who are looking for a non-habit forming sleep-aid.
Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)
CBDA is the precursor to CBD.
Like CBD, the main objective of CBDA is to bring homeostasis to the system.
Research on CBDA shows that this cannabinoid inhibits the COX-2 enzyme. As a
result, CBDA may potentially be a potent anti-inflammatory.
Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (TCHA)
When pressure is acted upon THCA,
it converts to THC. While research on this cannabinoid is still in its early
stages, there are a lot of promising finds on this molecule. Anecdotal evidence
points to THCA potentially having neuroprotective properties. Thanks to the
entourage effect, THCA and CBC may play a role in boosting brain function.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
While there are minimal traces of
CBG in hemp, both THC and CBD start off as this essential cannabinoid. CBG is
broken down into CBGA, which then branches off to either CBDA or THCA.
Eventually, it becomes one of the two cannabinoids most associated with
cannabis.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
This cannabinoid is found in
small doses in hemp. It has intoxicating capabilities. However, research
indicates it may help with brain disorders, including epilepsy. Thanks to the
entourage effect, many of the intoxicating side effects are offset, allowing
the hemp extract user to experience the other benefits of THCV.
While cannabinoids play a huge
role in how the entourage effect works, there is another critical component of
this scientific phenomenon. These compounds also live within the trichome
glands and are bound by the hemp plant’s volatile oils. They are known as
terpenes and are the chemical compounds responsible for the science behind
aromatherapy.
What Are Terpenes?
While cannabinoids get a bulk of
the credit for the benefits of hemp extract, they don’t work alone. In a true
group effort, other chemical compounds within the hemp plant also benefit from
this symbiotic relationship.
When pressure is applied upon a
hemp plant (as in during hemp extraction), the trichomes get ruptured. As a
result, the trichomes release aromatic oils into the atmosphere. Compounds that
cause these scents are known as terpenes.
Cannabinoids are synonymous with
cannabis. However, terpenes are present in every plant. Scent compounds are a
byproduct of biological evolution. To survive in the present day, plants needed
to develop defense mechanisms that would keep insects and bacteria from
destroying the crops.
Plants developed terpenes as a
means to repel predators. However, their sweet smells attract pollinators such
as birds, bees, and humans as well. Every non-extinct plant species today has
perfected their scent that would allow the genus to prosper. Thanks to these
terpenes, human beings can now prosper as well.
The Entourage Effect and Terpenes
Research indicates that terpenes
play a critical role in the entourage effect. One analysis stated, “Selective
cross-breeding of high-terpenoid- and high-phytocannabinoid-specific chemotypes
has thus become a rational target that may lead to novel approaches to such
disorders as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, drug dependency, dementia
and a panoply of dermatological disorders, as well as industrial applications
as safer pesticides and antiseptics.”
There are over 100 terpenes in
cannabis. Here are the terpene aromatic compounds commonly found in hemp.
Myrcene
This chemical compound is
typically found in tangy plants like mango, lemongrass, and bay leaves. Studies
on this terpene find that it exhibits strong antibacterial and antimicrobial
capabilities. In terms of the entourage effect, myrcene has shown to exasperate
the effects of THC.
Lastly, this compound keeps an
eye out for the rest of the entourage. Research on myrcene suggests this
compound combats resistance in the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, it opens the
door for other cannabinoids and terpenes to reach more areas of the
endocannabinoid system.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is a spicy scent
that is found in clove, black pepper, and hops. It is not known to have any
intoxicating effects. However, studies on caryophyllenesuggest this compound is
effective in boosting potential anti-spasmatic and anti-inflammatory
capabilities of hemp extract. These benefits make caryophyllene a must for
athletes in need of CBD for recovery.
Linalool
One of the most well-researched
terpenes, linalool is responsible for the floral scent of lavender, rose, and
Roman chamomile. It also plays a crucial role in the entourage effect,
promoting a sedative-like impact on the system. Research indicates this terpene
helps boost production of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter in the brain. Thus,
linalool is essential for regulating sleep patterns and may promote mental
well-being.
Also, linalool has shown a lot of
promise in rejuvenating skin cells. When combined with other terpenes like
limonene and with cannabinoids like CBD hemp extract is a great addition to
anyone’s beauty regimen.
Pinene
As the name suggests, this
essential oil is responsible for the piny scent found in hemp, pine needles,
and sage. Research on pinene is promising to support cognitive function. In
fact, pinene helps counteract the psychoactive abilities of THC. This action
allows the body to still reap THC’s non-mind-altering benefits. Lastly, pinene
helps keep the entourage in the entourage effect robust by forming other
terpenes, including limonene.
Limonene
Citrus fruits can thank this
terpene for its distinct scent. However, CBD users can thank limonene for the
hemp plant’s energizing effects. Limonene is quickly absorbed by the
bloodstream, making it so beneficial for those who use CBD tinctures for a jolt
of phytocannabinoid self-care. In true entourage effect fashion, limonene also
assists the body in absorbing other terpenes.
Humulene
This compound is responsible for
the wood-like scent found in clove, hops, and coriander. Humulene commonly
interacts with caryophyllene. Research indicates, the two boost one another’s
potential anti-inflammatory effects.
How to Experience the Entourage Effect with Hemp Extract
Just because it has CBD on the
label doesn’t mean you are going to experience the entourage effect. It is
essential that your product is either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp oil.
When you see these words, it means that the entire hemp plant was included
during the extraction process.
Each part of the hemp plant is
unique and requires different nutrients to carry out their purpose for the
survival of the plant. The stems, seeds, and leaves of hemp have varying
concentrations of amino acids, terpenes, and cannabinoids. Utilizing the whole
plant isn’t just more sustainable; it can actually enrich the overall
formula.
Research indicates that
cannabinoids and terpenes can be increased naturally during the growing
process. These sustainable plants require excess light in order to up their
cannabinoid counts. However, thanks to federal laws, these practices can also
make choosing a CBD company more difficult.
Opt for a CBD company or brand
who works with farmers which are Farm Bill compliant and cultivate
phytocannabinoid-rich hemp. The best way to check for this is to always ask for
or review the lab test or certificate of analysis (COA) for each CBD product
you purchase.
For us at Made by Hemp, we are proud to
operate our business with full transparency and display our lab tests on each
one of our product pages. We 3rd party test every product for purity and
quality. That way, you will know your endocannabinoid system is getting the
full entourage effect!
Ready to experience the full
benefits of the entourage effect? Stop by our onlineshop today!
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