What is the entourage effect when talking about CBD?
The entourage effect is a phenomenon where several different compounds work together to achieve an effect that would be impossible for them to achieve on their own. This “accompanying“ effect is the sum of the effects that compounds can produce in the relationship to each other.
The cannabis plant has more than 400 hundred unique chemicals
Each affecting us in a different way. There are more than 100 cannabinoids, 200 terpenes, many flavonoids, and several phenolic compounds. Some of these compounds are inactive, some are active, beneficial, and good for us like CBD. Some are even psychoactive and potentially dangerous, like THC.
The Entourage Effect is like a healthy balanced diet, where getting all kinds of nutrients is important.
But when in relation to each other, the effect of one compound can be pronounced, while the effect of another compound can be diminished. This way one compound can become more effective when combined with another one. (or less effective.) Sometimes, an inactive compound can even become active in combination with other compounds.
Basically, the entourage effect is the combined effect of many compounds acting together in harmony. As an analogy, imagine a pianist playing the piano. While the sound of the music he creates can be amazingly wonderful, when he is accompanied by a singer, the music gets to another level. Though, If the singer is bad and sings too loud, the pianist would probably be better playing on his own. So the entourage effect doesn’t automatically translate into a better experience. But I think we all agree that listening to a professional orchestra playing in tune, accompanied by a choir or an opera singer, delivers the ultimate music experience.
And we believe that the same can be said for medicinal plants like cannabis. Their healing is the greatest when the widest spectrum of plant components is consumed.
Nature knows best
CO2 extraction of medicinal plants
To retain the positive attributes of plants grown in their normal habitat, we strive to have all our oils extracted from wildcrafted plants. The final extracts have a high content of active bio components and at the same time preserve the character of the natural material. No syntheses or chemical reactions are employed in the process. Extracting active ingredients obtained from different plants such as valerian, feverfew, chamomile or St. John’s wort, special colouring agents from tomato skins or blossoms, antioxidants from bark or broccoli seeds, lipophilic vitamins from bacillus subtilis or alpine plants. The unique variability of the parameters of the CO2 process means that these can be individually adapted to each task and the active substances can thus be extracted and fractioned as necessary. In this way, high concentrations of the active substances for natural beneficial purposes can be acquired after a single step and without harmful solvents.
Looking at science and research behind the Entourage effect
While the endocannabinoid system we have in our bodies is mostly being accepted in medical fields, the entourage effect still remains more of a theory.
We would like to stay away from in-vitro studies done in labs and in vivo studies done on rats. This article will be mostly based on studies performed by doctor Ethan Russo. He helped GW Pharmaceuticals to develop the only two phytocannabinoid-based registered drugs. (Sativex and Epidiolex) He should be the right address for concrete information about the entourage effect if you want to dig deeper into it. Read more of his studies on CBD and the entourage effect.
Is the entourage effect real?
If you ask Dr. Russo, yes. Dr. Russo is a firm believer in the synergistic effects of plant-based compounds. That’s why Sativex, the cannabinoid drug he helped to develop, consists of both (CBD) cannabidiol and (THC) Tetrahydrocannabinol. The ratio of these most common cannabis compounds in Sativexis is 1:1. While this ratio might not be perfect in all scenarios, it supports the idea of cannabinoid synergy.
For example, isolated CBD on its own doesn’t produce many effects, some studies even indicate inactivity. But if consumed together with THC, for example, 10mg of CBD and 1mg of THC, the CBDs effects can be greater than the effects of 100mg CBD alone.
Taking Sativex as an example, where the ratio could be 10mg THC to 10mg CBD, the effects of CBD are pronounced by THC. Additionally, when CBD is influencing on cannabinoid receptors, it also prevents the full effect of THC. This is seen in diminished negative side effects of THC, like racing heart, anxiety, red eyes.
This is an example of cannabinoid synergy.
Like in a basketball game, where having both a strong defense and strong offense is important.
The terpene Entourage effect
The role of terpenes in the Entourage effect is ever so important. But what are terpenes? They are the building blocks of aromas. There’s thousands of them and their combinations are what give plants their distinct smell.
As we mentioned before, more than 200 terpenes were found present in the cannabis plant. Although some specific terpenes are way more prevalent than others, interesting discoveries point to them directly influencing our endocannabinoid system.
Terpenes and cannabinoids are both located in the trichomes, the resin glands of the cannabis plant. They are basically cousins too, as they share the same precursor, Geranyl pyrophosphate.
So the theory that these plant components are sharing similarities in effects is not far fetched.
Why did GW Pharmaceuticals also include a wide array of terpenes in the formulation of Epidiolex? Epidiolex is the registered cannabinoid drug in the EU, where isolated cannabidiol is the only cannabinoid component. Why would they enrich the CBD isolate with terpenes, if not for the entourage effect..?
Evidence of the Entourage effect (Anecdotal)
Many patients report a completely different experience when taking Marinol, as opposed to consuming high THC medicinal cannabis. Marinol is a registered cannabinoid drug, available in the US, where synthetic THC is the only active ingredient. They find it much better to consume medicinal cannabis rich in THC, along with the full spectrum of plant compounds.
Full-spectrum CBD hemp extracts are found to be more effective than broad-spectrum extracts, which are more effective than isolated CBD.
CBD extracts rich in Cannabinol (CBN) are supposedly producing a more sedating effects.
CBD extract rich in Cannabigerol (CBG) are supposedly producing a more clarifying and focused effect.
CBD extracts rich in Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) are supposedly producing an appetite decreasing effect.
Hemp varieties rich in terpene myrcene are said to produce a much more sedating effect than others, even though the cannabinoid content is similar. Mango, the fruit which contains a lot of myrcene is said to potentiate effect of THC if eaten before THC consumption.
Hemp varieties rich in terpene limonene are said to produce a more stimulating effect.
Hemp varieties rich in linalool are said to produce a more relaxing effect. Linalool is also the most common terpene in lavender. Lavender is being praised for its relaxing effects.
Black pepper is rich in terpene Beta-caryophyllene. Black pepper is commonly used as a co-ingredient to cannabis preparations with THC. The calming effects of beta-caryophyllene can supposedly greatly diminish the negative effects THC has on anxiety.
Here’s some of the types of CBD products that produce the Entourage effect
CBD products can be formulated with many different hemp extracts. Here you can find out how the entourage effect can be manifested from the raw extracts to the isolated cannabinoids.
To get the best entourage experience, an unprocessed cannabis plant should be consumed. Ideally, with the vaporization of cannabis flower. Vaporized cannabinoids and terpenes show the best bioavailability.
Another option would be to eat the raw plant. But in practice, it is not a viable or convenient way of consumption to most users. That’s why we offer the option of purchasing the CBD drops formulated with full-spectrum CBD extract.
This kind of extract contains all the compounds from flavonoids, heavier oils, waxes, lots of terpenes, and many cannabinoids still in acid form. (inactive form)
While some users prefer Raw CBD extracts, most prefer a little more refined version. Our full spectrum Premium CBD oils offer the same amount of beneficial substances, while some of not so important components are removed. With the removal of chlorophyll and waxes, the CBD oil has a milder taste and less sediment. We believe that chlorophyll is healthy, but not when its intake is counted in drops. As the added value of chlorophyll is minuscule, and when its impact on the taste does not appeal to most, we rather remove it from our flagship product. This full-spectrum extract is also decarboxylated. This means that the cannabinoids are converted from their acid form into their active form. The decarboxylation is done slowly, under vacuum, and at a low temperature so no precious substances are lost in the process.
Manufacturing Full spectrum extracts
At Palero, we are not denying the entourage effect. We are also not presenting it as a fact, as plenty more research needs to be done in regard. But we believe in whole plant medicine. We believe everyone agrees that lemonade, rich in all kinds of nutrients and vitamins is healthier than vitamin C alone.
And we project the same vision into cannabis. We want to capture the whole essence of the plant, without disturbing its original chemical composition. In this process, supercritical carbon dioxide is our best ally. Our products have been extracted using this extraction technology to extract all the goodness from the plant world, and deliver it in the purest form to you.