The Entourage Effect: Your Questions Answered

Buying CBD oil can be a daunting process.

With a distinct lack of regulation within the industry, there are some companies who are happy to skirt the law and use underhanded tactics to sell inferior products to unsuspecting users.

Research into the options available can lead to questions about dosages, side effects, bioavailabilities, and a whole host of other terms that can quickly become overwhelming.

One term that potential users may have come across in their search for a suitable CBD oil is the entourage effect.

So what is it?

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD is short for Cannabidiol, a naturally occurring cannabinoid compound found in the Cannabis plant.

Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors that is found throughout the body’s nervous systems, which is thought to help manage everything from our mood, sleep patterns and appetite to our pain, hormone and immune system responses.

CBD doesn’t naturally form part of our diet, so taking it as a dietary supplement can help to get the CBD the body needs to function more effectively.

What Is The Entourage Effect?

Despite CBD drawing the most attention in recent years, Cannabis contains over 500 compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and omega fatty acids; it’s these additional compounds that help to form the basis of the entourage effect.

The term “entourage effect” was first introduced in 1999 after a study by Raphael Mechoulam and his team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Put simply, the entourage effect refers to the way in which the numerous compounds found within the cannabis plant work together, in conjunction with each other, to affect the body’s functions.

The prevailing sentiment is that CBD oil that contains the full spectrum of compounds from the Cannabis plant produce a better effect than when those compounds are taken in an isolated form.

How Does The Entourage Effect Affect The Body?

While much is still unknown about the way in which Cannabis affects the body, there has been some research into the way the various compounds work together to affect the body.

A review of studies from 2011 found that there is some synergy between phytocannabinoids and terpenes, which could help with things like pain, anxiety, inflammation, and a number of other conditions.

The same study also found that CBD helped to reduce some of the side effects caused by THC, which suggests that the compounds have a way of balancing each other out, and improving the overall effectiveness when used in combination with each other.

The entourage effect is not, however, something users can feel. It’s not a “high” or a “feeling” you get when taking CBD - it’s simply a term for the way in which the compounds work together within the body.

What Is Full Spectrum CBD?

When it comes to CBD oil, there are generally three categories that products fall into: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolates.

Full spectrum CBD oils contain, unsurprisingly, the full spectrum of compounds that can be found in the cannabis plant.

This full spectrum of compounds means users get the biggest benefit from the entourage effect, as all of the compounds within the plant can work together in the way that nature intended.

Oils that are refined to remove the THC and a number of other compounds are referred to as broad spectrum, as they contain just a handful of the compounds from the plant.

These oils will still benefit from the interactions between the different compounds within the plant, but without any THC the effects may be slightly different to a full spectrum oil.

CBD Isolates are oils that have been formulated to contain only one compound - CBD.

These oils will not get any benefit from the entourage effects, as there are no supporting compounds, and we generally don’t recommend users pick this option when given a choice between the three.

What To Look For When Buying CBD Oil

There are several things to look for when choosing a CBD oil.

The first is to choose a full spectrum oil as this is the best way to take advantage of the entourage effect, getting the full impact of all of the natural compounds found within the cannabis plant.

It’s also important to look for a quality product from a reputable supplier.

The CBD industry is still widely unregulated, so there are many “CBD Oils” on the market that are little more than a carrier oil with a CBD isolate added to it.

These products don’t give users the full benefits of the cannabis plant, and also give the industry a bad name.

If you’re considering using CBD oil, choose a supplier that is transparent about their products, and who are willing to back up any claims they make.

All of our products are made from a full spectrum extract, and verified by an independent laboratory where they are tested to confirm their Cannabinoid profile.