What is the Entourage Effect?

CBD and The Entourage Effect

CBD is slowly becoming a household name in the natural treatment world for its management of various ailments ranging from chronic pain to anxiety. Little wonder it is fast becoming legalized in numerous countries making it available everywhere from spas, beauty parlors and coffee shops. Its growing availability in various forms like tinctures, capsules and lotions makes it easy to consume and use as well.

A lot of people have used and testified to the efficacy of hemp CBD products but you may be among the numerous fans of CBD who are still confused about the most effective forms, how much to take and how best to use it. 

First, A Brief Overview of CBD 

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds occurring naturally in our body’s endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids also are found in certain plants, and are capable of interacting with the cannabinoid receptors within the body.

CBD (or Cannabidiol) is one of the numerous (100+) cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant along with other beneficial compounds like terpenes and amino acids.  THC is another well known cannabinoid found in cannabis.

What Is The Difference Between CBD and THC?

The basic difference between CBD and THC is the ability of THC to make you high because it contains psychoactive elements while CBD doesn’t. 

There are two types of Cannabinoid receptors in our bodies, which are part of our endocannabinoid system. THC usually interacts with the CB1 receptors in our bodies that can elicit that feeling of ‘euphoria’, as well as effect pain tolerance. On the other hand, CBD interacts mostly with the CB2 receptors that illicit immune responses, reduce pain and inflammation and control sleep patterns and appetite.

How CBD Works With Our Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important network of receptors that allows us to connect with our immune system, nervous system and organs. According to research, the ECS responds to the body’s endocannabinoids produced within the body, as well as phytocannabinoids from plants like cannabis.

When CBD is introduced into the body, it can then help diminish certain symptoms. It does this by indirectly interacting on the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the different parts of the body. When CBD stimulates our ECS, it promotes homeostasis (balance) and reduces pain sensation and inflammation, regulates mood disorders and helps a host of many other symptoms.

So What Is The Entourage Effect

Research has shown that when medical substances from plants are taken in their whole and natural state, they tend to be more potent. The entourage effect is in action when the numerous components of the cannabis plant act in synergy on the body to maximize their healing effects. This is as opposed to the milder effect of using them solo, or isolated.

It is like bringing different individuals together to form a team for a project. Each team member will bring his/her expertise to make the project a success. With the cannabis plant compounds, there is a multiplier effect. The combination of the various natural compounds produces a more effective and stronger solution when they work together. We are not confined to the sum of each part but more so the amplification of the different components.

In essence, the most effective cannabis therapies use a combination of compounds, mostly full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD, for an enhanced medicinal experience. This is often preferable over using a CBD isolate. For example, CBD restrains the influence of THC on the body while terpenes in cannabis will add to the effects and as well as determining the taste and smell of the cannabis strain.

Poor quality control and inconsistency of botanical extracts however pose challenges to the entourage effect.

Full Spectrum CBD vs. Broad Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate 

As mentioned above, you may have come across these “spectrum” terms on CBD product packaging, but many consumers may not understand the differences.

Simply put, CBD isolate is a single molecule product containing only CBD. It is the purest form of the compound extracted from the plant and does not contain any other natural compounds of the plant. Its advantage lies in the availability of high concentration of the CBD per serving. It allows users experience full benefits of CBD but lacks the entourage effect.

Full-spectrum CBD is an extract that contains all the active naturally-occurring phytochemicals from hemp like CBD, THC (negligible amount), terpenes, amino acids and so on. They synergistically work together to produce the entourage effect. Even though full-spectrum CBD is considered non-psychoactive, a consistent user may feel slight sedation effects and may also test positive in a drug test.

Broad spectrum CBD, on the other hand, is made up of all the components similar to full spectrum CBD, but minus THC. Broad spectrum CBD also produce the entourage effect but without the chance of any THC entering the system.

While each CBD spectrum has its pros and cons, we feel that broad-spectrum CBD is the best of both worlds, sort of between a full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. All Tessera Naturals products are made using the highest quality broad spectrum CBD from organically grown USA hemp. We conduct 3rd party lab testing in order to ensure potency of CBD and other cannabinoids and terpenes, as well as confirming our hemp oil is THC free.

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Key Takeaways

• CBD and THC are just two of the 100+ cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, along with other beneficial compounds like minor cannabinoids, terpenes and amino acids.
• CBD and other cannabinoids found in cannabis can interact with our endocannabinoid system to promote homeostasis and healing efforts.
• The many compounds in cannabis (cannabinoids, terpenes, amino acids) work synergistically and amplify the benefits of one another when consumed together.
• Full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD produce the entourage effect, while CBD isolate does not.
• Broad spectrum CBD is a good choice for those interested in the entourage effect, but do not wish to consume any THC.