The Entourage Effect: What is This Phenomenon and How Does it Work?
If you’ve spent any significant amount of time in the cannabis scene, you’ve probably heard the phrase “entourage effect” tossed around once or twice. Maybe someone has tried to explain this phenomenon to you, all to no avail.
Fear not. While the entourage can get complex the more you research it, the phenomenon’s core concept is fairly simple to understand. Below, we’ll explain the theory behind the entourage effect and show you how to apply it to your cannabis or CBD sessions.
The Entourage Effect: What Is It?
In simplest terms, the entourage effect is a phenomenon suggesting that multiple compounds in a weed product enhance one another’s possible effects. We’re not exactly positive about why this works, we just know that it happens.
The entourage effect seems to exhibit itself primarily between two main ingredients in weed plants: cannabinoids and terpenes.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are a type of organic compound that marijuana plants develop naturally during their life cycle. There are more than 100 known cannabinoids, with the most famous being THC and CBD.
Sound familiar? You’ve probably heard of these compounds before. THC is renowned for its psychoactive properties, while CBD is better-known for its possible health benefits. However, they’re not the only cannabinoids found in nature. Minor cannabinoids, like CBN and CBG, also exist in small quantities in weed plants – often less than 1 percent of their total mass.
Terpenes
Terpenes are a type of organic compound found throughout nature. They often develop in plants, but some animals create terpenes, too. They’re highly aromatic compounds that carry flavor and taste – and can also participate in the entourage effect.
How Does the Entourage Effect Work?
As we mentioned earlier, weed plants only develop small amounts of both minor cannabinoids and terpenes. Why does such an infinitesimally small amount of a substance matter?
Because terpenes and cannabinoids both exhibit the entourage effect, of course! When both certain terpenes and cannabinoids exist in a strain or concentrate, they may be able to significantly increase one another’s powers.
This is true in general for all terpenes and cannabinoids, but also for specific compounds. For example, the minor cannabinoid CBN seems to have the ability to empower and magnify the inherent traits of its cannabinoid cousins.
Additionally, the entourage effect can work across mediums. Take the terpene myrcene, for instance. Like CBN, myrcene may be able to enhance the properties of other terpenes and cannabinoids.
While myrcene exists in many strains of weed, it’s not the only plant to develop the compound. Mangoes are also a significant source of terpene. As a result, you can smoke a strain and eat mango to enhance the effects of the strain’s components.
Want to Use the Entourage Effect Yourself?
Want to experience the entourage effect for yourself? It’s easy to buy edibles, flowers, concentrates, and more from your favorite West Hollywood dispensary. Whether you’re looking for bargain buds or high-end hash, they’ve got you covered. Good luck, and have fun experimenting with the entourage effect yourself!
