The entourage effect is a term you often come across around CBD and full spectrum products. In this article you can read what the entourage effect is, where the term comes from and what the difference is between full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate.
What exactly is the entourage effect?
The entourage effect describes the idea that the different compounds from the hemp and cannabis plant work differently together than each one separately. Put simply: the interplay of the constituents would be more than the sum of its parts.
The term was introduced in the sixties by the scientist Raphael Mechoulam. He saw that compounds occurring naturally in cannabis, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and fatty acids, act on one another. A well-known example is that CBD tempers the psychoactive action of THC.
Where does the interest in the entourage effect come from?
The entourage effect is a popular subject among users of full spectrum products, because it is about the interplay of all the natural compounds rather than one separate cannabinoid. Much of the research into it is still limited and often carried out in the lab or in animals. So it is mainly an explanatory model, not yet a firmly proven mechanism in humans.
There are currently no EU-approved health claims for CBD or the entourage effect. See it as background when choosing between product types, not as a promise about effect.
Terpenes and the entourage effect
It is not only cannabinoids that play a part, terpenes are often mentioned too. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give plants their smell and taste. Tens of thousands of terpenes are known worldwide, of which around two hundred occur in cannabis. Well-known examples are myrcene, limonene and linalool. Terpenes help determine the character and the taste of a full spectrum product.
Full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate
With CBD you can choose from three types, which differ in which compounds they contain:
- Full spectrum: contains all the naturally present compounds, including a small amount of THC (below the legal limit), CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, terpenes and flavonoids.
- Broad spectrum: contains most natural compounds, but has been purified of THC.
- Isolate: contains only pure CBD, without other constituents.
So with full spectrum and broad spectrum you get the full or almost full palette of plant compounds, with isolate only CBD.
Full spectrum CBD products
If you choose full spectrum CBD oil, you get the complete interplay of natural compounds from the plant. Bear in mind that full spectrum contains a small amount of THC.
Broad spectrum CBD oil and products
Broad spectrum CBD oil contains the broad palette of plant compounds, but has been purified of THC. A good choice if you do not want to take in any THC, because of your job for instance.
Frequently asked questions about the entourage effect
Has the entourage effect been proven?
No. It is mainly an explanatory model: much of the research is still limited and often carried out in the lab or on animals, so it is not a firmly proven mechanism in humans. No health claims have been approved in the European Union for CBD or the entourage effect either.
What does the entourage effect feel like?
We do not say, because there are no approved health claims for CBD or the entourage effect. What you will notice is smell and taste: terpenes help shape the character of a full spectrum product. See the entourage effect as background when choosing between product types, not as a promise about what it does.
How do you get the entourage effect?
The term is about the interplay of all the natural compounds in the plant, so it belongs with full spectrum products. Besides CBD, these contain CBN, CBG, CBC, terpenes, flavonoids and a small amount of THC below the legal limit. Broad spectrum contains most of those compounds without THC, isolate only CBD.
What role do terpenes play in the entourage effect?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give plants their smell and taste, and they are often mentioned as part of the interplay. Around two hundred of them occur in cannabis, such as myrcene, limonene and linalool. What we do know is that they help shape the character and taste of a full spectrum product.
Which type suits you?
Would you like the complete interplay of plant compounds? Then full spectrum is the obvious choice. Would you rather not take in THC? Then broad spectrum is a good alternative. Not sure? Feel free to get in touch, we will think along with you.
