A seasoned cannabis user or not? Anyone who smokes cannabis has at least heard of the “the cannabis entourage effect’’.

In layman terms, the Entourage effect is a phenomenon that describes the interaction between and response of THC, CBD, other cannabinoids of cannabis, and terpenes. They synergistically communicate with each other in our body to bestow the health benefits.

Often, it is referred to as “whole-plant synergy” or “whole-plant medicine”.Thus, it can be said that cannabis products have a diversified number of compounds responsible to deliver an array of health benefits compared to the individual compounds of cannabis. All a medical cannabis user needs is a 420 Med Card to buy his or her choice of medical cannabis.

The entourage effect has been engulfed into the cannabis lexicon. But, what does it actually entail? What is the entourage effect now that we know so much about cannabis?

What is Known About Entourage Effect?

An entourage effect is a mechanism by which compounds of cannabis besides THC act synergistically with the compound to regulate the overall psychoactive impacts of the cannabis plant on the consumer.

Some cannabinoids are proven to boost the effects of other cannabinoids. For instance, THC (a psychoactive compound of cannabis) can enhance the health benefits of CBD ( a non-psychoactive compound of cannabis).

Intra-entourage effect- it implies the interactions between terpenes and cannabinoids

Inter-entourage effect- it signifies terpene-to-terpene and cannabinoid-to cannabinoid interactions. There are shreds of evidence to support the inter-entourage effect, but there is less research regarding an intra-entourage effect.

Dr. Ethan Russo, MD, founder/CEO of CReDO Science, says that cannabis is much more effective compared to THC isolate in killing the tumor and reducing the growth of tumors. It is also noted that the synergy of the extracts of cannabis is accounted for due to the presence of CBG, THCA in comparison to THC isolate.

In addition to this, another study said that the whole plant and CBD extract compared to CBD only was equally effective in treating severe epilepsy, but 20% lower dose.

Is the Entourage Effect Real?

Dr. Jordan Tishler says that the entourage effect is a real phenomenon but yet misunderstood. However, there is not enough data based on terpenes and cannabinoids of cannabis. Therefore, our understanding concerning the entourage effect is quite limited. This does not imply that no whole-plant alchemy occurs.

THC and CBD seem comparatively less effective (compared to the entire cannabis plant) on a clinical level. It suggests that there are other chemicals of the cannabis plant involved too. The only thing that is unclear is how they work.

On the other hand, there are some findings that might state the opposite or fail to demonstrate the entourage effects. The mixed findings are a result of inconsistent standards of cannabis.

Thus, it also makes it difficult for consumers to access the most effective and therapeutically beneficial cannabis-based medicines. It can only be achieved if a full analytical and safety information is mandated- it should include cannabinoid and terpenoid profiles too. And, it needs to be in adjunct with better education on contributions towards the pharmacological aspect of diverse terpenoid and cannabinoid components.