CBD: Everything You Need to Know About the Entourage Effect

As hemp cultivation expands, we are learning more and more about the effects of various individual compounds on the human nervous system. Every month, scientists studying cannabinoids shed light on the properties of certain ones. This is how CBD was isolated, and how numerous lines of CBD-derived products came into being. But did you know that the cannabinoids found in hemp complement one another? This natural process of individual substances working together is called the “entourage effect.” What exactly is this synergy? And what about CBD? 

The principle behind the entourage effect is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In the case of CBD and hemp, this means that no single ingredient in hemp can be as effective as all the other ingredients combined.

Hemp contains many active ingredients. These are divided into several groups, including cannabinoids, which are particularly potent and well known. Among them are CBD and the well-known THC, which produces psychoactive effects. To date, scientists have identified more than 140 cannabinoids, and that number continues to grow.

But this plant also contains terpenes. They are found in more than 2,000 plants, where they perform important functions. Their hydrocarbon compounds are used as natural medicines, cosmetics, and pesticides. They have long been used in industry because they inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold, making them effective preservatives. Terpenes have a strong odor and are therefore responsible for the taste and smell of the plant from which they are derived.

These two groups—cannabinoids and terpenes—are responsible for hemp’s entourage effect. In fact, the two components are interdependent. This means they must work together to achieve the best possible result. They are then fully absorbed by the human body, which is an added benefit.

While the properties of the entourage effect and the research supporting it are primarily useful to the medical and pharmaceutical industries, it is also beneficial for CBD consumers to learn more about it. In general, cannabidiol has already helped a large number of people in situations where other medications have failed. It is the second most abundant natural cannabinoid in hemp, after THC. It is sought after for its relaxing, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects and is completely legal. Unlike THC, it has no narcotic effects and is not addictive.

However, there are still some seemingly technical terms used to describe CBD’s effectiveness. The high concentration of flavonoids and terpenes in cannabidiol contributes to the activation of the entourage effect. The main terpenes in CBD are limonene, myrcene, and pinene. Not only do they give the plant its aromas and flavor, but they are also known for their anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, and anxiolytic effects. As for flavonoids, they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that are also thought to influence cannabinoids.

The cannabidiol-based products that best support this synergistic effect are those known as “full-spectrum” CBD products. This type of cannabidiol contains nearly all the compounds found in hemp, including cannabinoids, flavonoids, and trace amounts of terpenes. 

Conversely, when we talk about broad-spectrum CBD, we’re referring to a product that contains nearly all of hemp’s active compounds. In this product, THC is removed. Unfortunately, removing this molecule also eliminates most of the terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. This reduces the plant’s beneficial effects.  

However, to significantly enhance the beneficial effects of your blend, you’ll need to include a cannabinoid such as THC. It contributes to the synergy among the components and enhances the beneficial properties of all the cannabinoids. By combining these molecules, you’ll experience more powerful entourage effects.

In addition, full-spectrum CBD contains an additional phytocannabinoid that is believed to enhance the plant’s potency. This is why it is recommended to use full-spectrum CBD products for sleep, which include other phytocannabinoids naturally present in the cannabis plant. These compounds may also have synergistic effects and contribute to the entourage effect.

So, if you want to enjoy all the benefits of CBD, conventional CBD oils are also very effective. Furthermore, it’s strongly recommended that you make a careful choice regarding the quality and effects of CBD-containing products. That’s why we invite you to browse our selection of CBD oils, all of which are full-spectrum. All our products are manufactured in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner and are fully compliant with current French and European legislation regarding CBD. 

Terpenes are a group of anti-inflammatory organic compounds produced primarily by plants and certain insects. In the early days of research on CBD and THC, only cannabinoids and their interactions were studied. Later, it became increasingly clear that a second substance was important—terpenes. They are also responsible for many beneficial effects and behave like cannabinoids.

In fact, all humans have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), the body’s receptor system. These receptors are distributed throughout the body, which explains why we respond so well to the active ingredients in hemp, such as CBD. These active ingredients from the plant are produced by our own bodies. These substances, called endocannabinoids, are equivalent to the cannabinoids found in hemp. As such, the system responds to all cannabinoids and terpenes that come from external sources. Terpenes, like endocannabinoids, actively bind to our receptors. Consequently, they affect the entire system.

In fact, terpenes contribute to the entourage effect by modifying how CBD binds to CB2 receptors in the human endocannabinoid system, thereby producing an effect that complements that of CBD. There are many terpenes (myrcene, terpineol, linalool, limonene, pinene, etc.), but the one most noted for its side effects is beta-caryophyllene (BCP), which is believed to bind to the CB1 receptor (the same receptor to which THC binds). Furthermore, it is recognized in the field of CBD as one of the few terpenes thought to be involved in the entourage effect.

The entourage effect is a phenomenon in which various compounds in hemp work synergistically to produce specific beneficial effects. When cannabis compounds are taken together—rather than individually in the form of whole-plant extracts—the product is more likely to provide benefits. According to one study, this synergistic effect of terpenes with cannabinoids may effectively relieve mood disorders and anxiety. Moonrock CBDperfectly illustrates this phenomenon by concentrating flowers and extracts to maximize the endocannabinoid system’s response.

So, a full-spectrum CBD oil containing THC and other cannabinoids is much better than a CBD oil containing only CBD. At low doses (less than 0.3%), THC is thought to contribute significantly to the beneficial effects of cannabidiol. The same is true for the other cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, CBDA, etc.). In addition, there are hundreds of lesser-known and less common cannabinoids that we cannot quantify. All of these are believed to contribute to the beneficial effects of full-spectrum CBD products.

Furthermore, just as drug combinations are used to treat serious illnesses, the combined effect would enhance the potency of certain cannabinoids. It would also reduce the side effects of others, resulting in a better cannabis experience.

No! Not all CBD products are the same—whether in terms of quality, cultivation, or origin… The high price of CBD may lead some buyers to look for the cheapest option. However, make sure the CBD you buy is full-spectrum and backed by lab test results. Some products are generally less expensive but don’t have the potency needed to be fully effective. It’s recommended to use full-spectrum products to maximize the molecule’s beneficial effects.

In conclusion, a cannabinoid works best in combination with other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, as opposed to lower-quality CBD products or, worse yet, pure CBD. Consider the analogy of two basketball teams. Which team do you think will win? A team with five players who shoot, pass, defend, and rebound, or a team with a single player who does all of that? Obviously, the team with five players wins.

So, when we talk about full-spectrum CBD, we’re referring to the entourage effect.