What Is The Entourage Effect?
At this point, there are likely a number of terms that you have come across in the cannabis lexicon that you may or may not be familiar with. At Mary Jane’s Botanicals, there are two that we get asked about with regularity: full-spectrum cannabis and the entourage effect. While these two terms have to do quite a bit with one another, they are by no means the same thing.
In today’s blog from May Jane’s Botanicalls — creator of some of Colorado’s best full-spectrum hemp-infused topicals — we will take a look at these terms, what they mean, and why it matters.
For a complete explanation of how the entourage effect works, refer to this in-depth study and report from the British Journal of Pharmacology.
Cannabinoid And Terpene Cooperation
Cannabis plants like the hemp and marijuana plants contain somewhere in the realm of 100-plus phytocannabinoids — these are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in cannabis plants that can interact with the human Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
These cannabinoids, of which THC and CBD are the most abundant and well understood, can also interact with terpenes — aromatic oils produced by plants that can alter the effects of cannabinoids on the ECS. Essential oils are largely composed of terpenes.
On their own, CBD and THC each provide different stimuli and responses to and from the ECS. In concert with various combinations of terpenes and other cannabinoids, these effects can be altered, enhanced, or diminished, and completely new effects can be born.
What Does the Term Full-Spectrum Mean?
In short, a full-spectrum cannabis product (also often referred to as full-spectrum CBD or full-spectrum THC, depending on whether it was derived from a hemp or marijuana plant) is one that contains all of the naturally occurring phytocannabinoids and terpenes. So, the cannabis flower, as an unfiltered substance, is full-spectrum.
By contrast, a CBD product derived from hemp that retains all of the naturally occurring phytocannabinoids and terpenes except for THC would be considered a full-spectrum product and a cannabis product that had been refined and filtered to only contain either THC or CBD, would be considered an isolate.
Full-spectrum cannabis or hemp topicals, edibles, and other consumables are the best way to experience the potential benefits of the entourage effect.
Are There Still Benefits To Taking THC Or CBD By Themself?
Absolutely. Both THC and CBD, even in isolate form, can provide specific benefits depending on what you are looking for. However, it is widely accepted that the best applications for either are found within full-spectrum offerings.
Find Full-Spectrum Hemp-Infused Topicals From Mary Jane’s Botanicals
If you’d like to enjoy the targeted and localized benefits that comes from full-spectrum hemp topicals of the highest quality, then you need to check out the lineup of products crafted by Mary Jane’s Botanicals. Check out our product page today and discover what hemp can do for you!