Understanding cannabinoids, and the way they interact with our Endocannabinoid System, can be critical in unlocking the full recreational and medicinal potential of cannabis. Another essential element that’s often overlooked is finding the right blend of cannabinoids and terpenes.
You’re probably familiar with the cannabinoids THC and CBD. Besides these two well-known compounds, there are more than 100 cannabinoids that have been identified within the cannabis plant.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds naturally produced by plants. They’re what give plants like jasmine, lemongrass, and cannabis their unique scents. Terpenes are bioactive, and depending on their concentration and how a person uses them, could offer potential health benefits like being anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, antiviral, and gastroprotective.
When consumed with the right mix of cannabinoids, terpenes can play an important role in creating what is known as the entourage effect.
What is the Entourage Effect?
By striking the right balance of cannabinoids and terpenes for your endocannabinoid system (ECS), it can create a special synergy that results in a more complete cannabis experience.
The endocannabinoid system is an essential communications system within our brain and body that affects many important functions, including how a person feels, moves, and reacts.
The ECS is made up of a network of cellular receptors. CB1 receptors are found in our brains and help to control neurotransmitter activity–regulating things like hunger and alertness. CB2 receptors occur mostly in our immune tissues and play an essential role in controlling immune function.
We also have naturally occurring cannabinoids produced by our bodies, called endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids interact with these receptors to regulate important neural functions, including motor coordination, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, addictive-like behavior, pain modulation, and more.
What Does the Entourage Effect Feel Like?
When you are able to ingest the right mix of cannabinoids and terpenes for your endocannabinoid system, it can result in a synergetic effect known as The Entourage Effect. This special synergy can provide a more complete cannabis experience that could include a more potent experience and a greater sense of internal harmony.
Effects Will Be Different for All
It’s important to note that the way terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis interact with our endocannabinoid systems will be different for all. That’s why a certain strain of cannabis can affect two people differently.
Learn more about: What Gets You High – THC or Terpenes?
Effects Go Beyond an Enhanced High
Not only can the entourage effect result in a more complete cannabis experience, but it may help treat certain mental health disorders. A study from February of 2020 examined the potential of terpenes coupled with cannabinoids for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
The results of the study were presented in a review article entitled, “The Entourage Effect: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders” – which was published in Current Neuropharmacology.1
The study concluded that: “The use of various cannabis-derived compounds opens the arena to the option of avoiding the adverse effects of the available antidepressants and mood stabilizers while treating mood disorders. This may be particularly important for patients who are non-responsive or non-adherent to conventional treatment.”2
Although we still have a lot to learn about what’s possible when we strike the right balance of cannabinoids and terpenes, these findings seem to indicate that the entourage effect could be helpful for those battling depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders – where traditional medicine has failed.
It’s especially encouraging that the entourage effect has the power to help millions avoid the undesirable effects of pharmaceutical antidepressants – since mood disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition encountered in psychiatric practice.
This is just one example of how powerful the active compounds of cannabis can be when we enjoy them as nature intended.
Another promising find came in 2016 when a team of American and Canadian researchers conducted a review of science back in 2016 to explore potential cannabis mental health benefits.
Learn more: Does Cannabis Help with PTSD?
Entourage Effect CBD
CBD is a cannabinoid known for providing potential health benefits. Clinical research on CBD suggests that it can be helpful for a wide range of health issues, including arthritis, inflammation, anxiety disorders, PTSD, seizures, high blood pressure, and so much more.
But what is it about CBD that gives it so much potential to treat such a wide range of health issues? Perhaps it comes down to the entourage effect.
CBD and Anandamide
Remember earlier we mentioned how we all have an endocannabinoid system – along with endocannabinoids – within us? Well one of those endocannabinoids is called anandamide.
Anandamide is the first endocannabinoid to be isolated and named. It was named after the Sanskrit word for bliss or joy, due to it being a mood enhancer that provides a calming effect.
Usually, AAH enzymes break down the anandamide in our system. CBD, however, can inhibit the FAAH enzymes from breaking down anandamide. This allows the Anandamide to attach to the receptors in our brains, which can result in a calming effect.
This is just one example of how the synergy known as the entourage effect can help to enhance the potential of CBD and other cannabinoids. In this case it can help maximize CBD’s ability to alleviating stress and anxiety.3
Entourage Effect in Weed
Have you heard the saying; Mother Nature knows best? We believe this to be true. You only have to look at cannabis flower, aka weed, for proof. You see, when you smoke or vape cannabis flower – you open yourself up to the potential of enjoying the entourage effect. Why is this the case?
Entourage Effect in THC
When you consume cannabis flower – you are able to enjoy the full profile of active compounds in the plant. This includes terpenes, flavonoids, sterols, and cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBG, and CBN – giving you access to the full spectrum of potential benefits from your cannabis.
This is different, for example, from when you consume cannabis products that isolate only one compound like THC. This is why our sister company, Wondergrove Cannabis, specializes in creating full spectrum oil cartridges under its brand, Professor Cron X.
How to Get the Entourage Effect in Missouri
As we mentioned a couple of ways you could enjoy the potential benefits of the entourage effect – by consuming cannabis flower or full spectrum cannabis products.
If you live in Missouri, Wondergrove’s premium cannabis brands are available at Bloom’s Cameron, Cape Girardeau, O’Fallon, and Springfield dispensaries. This includes:
- Field Trip – Premium Flower and Pre-Rolls
- Professor Cron X – Concentrates and Cartridges
Field Trip flower is cultivated in Missouri using premium cannabis genetics and some of the highest standards in the industry. Field Trip flower is always sourced from whole buds and hand-trimmed to perfection.
Professor Cron X vape carts are made from borosilicate glass and zirconia ceramic, and are metal free. Since Professor Cron X cartridges are made using natural ceramics and some of the highest standards in the industry, not only do they offer a healthier alternative to metal cartridges, but they also provide some of the purest flavor and fattest clouds.
Plus, all of the terpenes in the Professor’s concentrates are organic and derived from fresh cannabis that’s never been frozen. So, unlike some of the competition, Professor Cron X’s vape carts will never contain synthetic or botanical derived terpenes.
Stop by a Bloom Missouri Dispensary and ask our budtender about Field Trip Flower and Professor Cron X Vape Carts – featuring full spectrum THC oil from premium strains like UK Cheese, Baby Banner, Wedding Cake, Strawberry Cookies, and Cake Batter.
How to Get the Entourage Effect in Ohio and Maryland
If you live in Ohio or Maryland, Bloom does not yet offer Field Trip Flower or Professor Cron X vape carts, but we do carry a complete inventory of premium cannabis flower and products. Make sure to ask your budtender for full spectrum products so you can enjoy the potential benefits of the entourage effect.
Ohio Bloom Dispensaries:
- Bloom Dispensary in Akron, Ohio
- Bloom Dispensary in Columbus, Ohio
- Bloom Dispensary in Maumee, Ohio
- Bloom Dispensary in Painesville, Ohio
- Bloom Dispensary in Seven Mile, Ohio