Cannabis is so cool, it needs a posse wherever it goes. I mean think about it, how confident do you feel at the head of a pack? The most effective medical cannabis you can use are the cannabinoids with the most friends. One reason why some people choose to use Full Spectrum Hemp Oil over CBD isolates is because of what is known as the entourage effect.
Parts of the Cannabis Plant
Cannabinoids in CannabisBefore we get into the definition of the entourage effect, it will make more sense if you understand a bit more about the cannabis plant. Cannabis is ever so famous for having the cannabinoids THC and CBD, but studies are starting to reveal that these cannabinoids are just the tip of the iceberg.
THC and CBD are cannabinoids, which are chemicals that come from the cannabis plant and interact with our endocannabinoid system. They are similar to the chemicals our bodies make called endocannabinoids. However, these aren’t the only cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, both hemp or full-plant cannabis products.
Cannabinoids like CBN and CBG are also starting to become more popular cannabinoids as studies reveal their potential, but there are actually over a hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. That seems like a lot of potential, don’t you think?
Terpenes in Cannabis
You know that smell that cannabis has? Sometimes it is earthy, sometimes it smells fruity, or maybe even a hint of pine? The tastes and aromas that cannabis have are thanks to chemicals called terpenes. Terpenes are chemicals that are found in many different kinds of plants and have shown in studies to have health benefits like cannabinoids. Like cannabinoids, there aren’t just a couple of terpenes scientists have discovered, there are over 200 terpenes that we know of today.
What is the Entourage Effect?
Have you ever had a moment where you were working out to a good song, your adrenaline is pumping, and your form in the mirror is just perfect, and you can perform your routine almost effortlessly? It is that synergy of several factors coming in together to create an enhanced effect, and that is the idea behind the entourage effect.
The entourage effect is when a cannabis product has more than just one cannabinoid and utilizes more of the plant. For cannabis in states where they can consume THC, this would be called full plant cannabis. For hemp, this is called full spectrum hemp.
When the cannabinoids and terpenes are working together, they enhance each other's effects making the cannabis product more effective. This is also how certain products like our disposable vape pens can be formulated for certain ailments. One pen can help you chill out while the other one gives you more energy. This is because manipulating the levels of terpenes and cannabinoids in a cannabis product can help create a more accurate treatment for specific ailments.
If you want to use medical cannabis, be sure to talk to your doctor before making changes to your medication. Certain medications can be affected by CBD hemp oil, and your doctor can help you determine whether or not this is the right route for you.
