The Entourage Effect of Cannabis
Experienced cannabis consumers know that there’s more to the plant than just THC.
Cannabinoids and terpenes give marijuana products different properties and effects. Cannabinoids are compounds you probably are familiar with—THC and CBD are just two of about one hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant—they’re more deeply researched than all of the rest. THC and CBD work together to create the best effect from cannabis, better than what one can do alone. Thus, the entourage effect of cannabis—which Dr. Rob McCurren, one of The WellFlower founders, explains in this video or read on to learn more.
“The entourage effect of cannabis is a term that refers to the combination of many different things that are in the cannabis plants that create specific effects from either ingestion or smoking, whatever mechanism in which you take your cannabis that is distinct from the effect that comes from a product that comes from distilled THC or CBD alone,” Dr. Rob said.
If you’re a fan of gummies or vape carts, you might not know that you’re primarily getting only THC as those products are made from cannabis distillate—unless the packaging notes otherwise. And there’s nothing wrong with good old THC. But trust us, there’s so much to cannabis! And there are specific health benefits to be gained from products that contain both THC and CBD, as well as CBN and CBG.
“Products that contain these properties create a different effect, different high and a different sensation on the consumer, and it’s what we call a full spectrum product and how they work together is the entourage effect,” he said.
Many people that buy cannabis know about THC percentages or lean on Sativa or Indica strain labels to make choices, but there’s much more to consider.
Get to Know the Terpenes
“Within cannabinoids, there are also chemicals called flavonoids and terpenoids or terpenes. Terpenes bring the flavors, smells, and potentially beneficial health effects of quality cannabis. These, in combination with the cannabinoids, create a more extraordinary effect that feels different and has a unique impact on the person than you’ll get with THC alone,” Dr. Rob said.
While there are hundreds of terpenes in cannabis, these are the most commonly found and will give you some insight into why we think they’re essential.
Beta-caryophyllene is a prime ingredient in aromatic spices like rosemary, cloves and hops. In addition, research shows that this terpene can be beneficial for managing the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
If you’re a fan of hiking in Michigan, you know the smell of Beta-pinene, which comes from conifer trees. It may potentially have both anti-depressant and anti-cancer properties.
Humulene is found in ginseng, which has long been used in Eastern medicine for its energizing and uplifting effects.
Limonene is one of the more common terpenes in cannabis. Limonene smells like citrus and is believed to have anti-cancer properties. Additionally, research on mice shows that Limolene has anti-anxiety properties.
If you love lavender, cannabis with Linalool is for you! It may help alleviate stress and help with relaxation.
Mangoes, thyme, and lemongrass contain the terpene Myrcene, which has antifungal and antibacterial properties and sedating effects.
When cannabis enthusiasts think of Indica vs. Sativa strains, it’s generally believed that Indica strains are physically sedating and provide “whole-body” elevation. Conversely, Sativa strains are considered to be energizing, with uplifting cerebral effects. However, Indica does not always mean sedative and Sativa doesn’t always imply energizing. As researchers learn more about the cannabis plant, it turns out that the chemical compounds in each strain – the cannabinoids and terpenes – play a major role in determining the effects felt, not necessarily whether it’s an Indica or Sativa strain. The two names are rooted in botany, according to Leafly, not physical effects.
Ask Your Wellflower Budtender About Full-Spectrum
“So when you go and try to decide what cannabis products you want to try, think about asking a little bit more about whether it's a full-spectrum product that's going to include the entourage effect versus a distillate product that’s not,” he said. “You're going to notice a different effect. Full-spectrum entourage effect products are the best for sleep and medicinal uses and have other potential advantages.”
The WellFlower carries a wide range of products that are filled with terpenes and cannabinoids—like our Scout brand concentrate Pudding Pop is pretty terpy and Dr. Death Skunk is a 1:1 THC and CBD shatter. Our Scout Sugar—Orange Kush Mints has 6-9 percent terpene. On the edible side, we highly recommend the Wyld brand of edible gummies—they’re full of CBN, CBD and THC, plus they taste great. The Elderberry and Pear are amazing.
Do you have a health-related cannabis question? We’re interested in hearing about what you want to know. Drop us a line at info@thewellflower.com