{"id":2236,"date":"2020-08-25T03:43:15","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T03:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/?p=2236"},"modified":"2021-12-30T14:12:08","modified_gmt":"2021-12-30T14:12:08","slug":"entourage-effect-cbd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/entourage-effect-cbd\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Entourage Effect?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Maximize the Entourage Effect: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The bottom line here, is how can you get more<\/em> entourage effect? How can we get as much out of our CBD products as possible? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple answer is to seek products that offer greater diversity in the phytochemical makeup as possible <\/strong>\u2014 like hemp flower<\/a>, CBD live resin extracts<\/a>, CBD pastes & waxes<\/a>, and full-spectrum CBD oils<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The level of processing of the hemp extract has a direct impact on the level of entourage effect within each product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have concentrates like CBD crystals<\/a>, CBG crystals, CBD isolate oils<\/a>, and most CBD gummies<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Entourage Effect = Plant Synergy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Synergy is the idea that certain compounds, when taken together, will produce effects greater in combination than the sum of their parts [4<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s an example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. John\u2019s Wort is a herb best known for its antidepressant effects because of a compound called hypericin. However, when isolated, hypericin offers no benefits and actually makes symptoms worse<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientists tested the entire plant extract containing everything except hypericin as a control to see if this works the other way \u2014 the results showed no antidepressant benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers concluded that hypericin is the active ingredient for the antidepressant activity of St. John\u2019s Wort, but relies on all the other constituents to do its job effectively. The plant essentially needs all of its compounds to produce any measurable benefits.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cannabis works similarly, and we\u2019re starting to find discrepancies between the uses of CBD in full-spectrum extracts compared to CBD isolates (extracts made without the rest of the entourage).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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St. John’s Wort<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Nitty Gritty: How Synergy Actually<\/em> Works (Mechanisms)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways compounds can work together to produce their effects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Increasing bioavailability<\/strong> (absorption of the compounds through the gastrointestinal tract)<\/li>
  2. Interfering with cellular transport processes<\/strong> (such as improving passage through the blood-brain barrier)<\/li>
  3. Activation of pro-drugs<\/strong> (non-active compounds that convert to active ones in the liver)<\/li>
  4. Slowing the deactivation of active compounds to inactive metabolites<\/strong><\/li>
  5. Providing similar benefits through separate mechanisms<\/strong><\/li>
  6. Inhibiting the binding of compounds to cell receptors <\/strong>(blocking the effects of other compounds)<\/li>
  7. Enhancing the binding of compounds to cell receptors <\/strong>(increasing the effects of compounds)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The Cannabinoids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cannabinoids<\/a> are the primary active constituents of the cannabis plant, they act like the leaders of the entourage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Powerhouses like THC and CBD carry much of the weight of the plants’ therapeutic effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, or CBN offer their own set of benefits and interact with these powerhouses to either improve absorption, reduce negative side-effects, or otherwise improve effects on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A) THC (Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Delta 9 THC<\/a> is the primary psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant. It works by activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. Triggering the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system causes a change in serotonin levels, which gives this compound its psychoactive side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Most hemp oils only contain THC only in small amounts (less than 0.3%). Marijuana strains, however, can contain up to 30% THC by weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are other forms of THC that can be used synergistically with CBD as well \u2014\u00a0such as delta 8 THC<\/a> (for relaxation), delta 10 THC<\/a> (for stimulation), THCC<\/a> (for nerve pain), and THCP<\/a> (for powerful psychoactive effects). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Synthetic forms of THC exist as well (such as THC-O<\/a> and HHC<\/a>)and are common in the market today. Despite being synthetic, anecdotal reports show clear signs these cannabinoids are still synergistic when used in combination with CBD, other cannabinoids, and cannabis-derived terpenes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Effects of THC:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n