In recent years cannabis and its compound CBD have become the most discussed, researched, and marketed words in the US. There’s a group that laments against cannabis’s adverse effects. On the other hand, CBD researchers and advocacy groups continue to hail it for its array of health and wellness properties.
No matter which group you belong to, you must have heard about CBD products doing wonders for sleep, anxiety, mood disorders, and epilepsy. Recently, organic CBD is also garnering attention as the latest method to curb the challenge of opioid addiction in the US.
Needless to say, cannabis and its derived products are everywhere. From shampoos, pet food, and hand lotions to gummies and cookies—CBD products are easily accessible, widely popular, and deemed fit for use by many.
As far as the other most popular cannabinoid, THC, is concerned, the views are contradictory. As much as CBD is loved, THC is looked at with skepticism as it’s a renowned psychoactive agent in cannabis plants.
However, researchers and recent studies say THC can also do well for people seeking its medical benefits. The need is to opt for the entourage effect, which can minimize the harmful properties of THC, maximize the benefits of CBD, and bring in all the other cannabinoids into action.
Not sure what the entourage effect is and how it can do wonders? Here’s something you should read today.
Learn about the entourage effect, its benefits, and ways you can maximize the benefits of cannabis-based compounds THC and CBD.
What is the Entourage Effect?
The entourage effect refers to the action that takes place when all of the cannabinoids merge and benefit the user. For example, if you’re using a CBD product that only contains CBD, you can only benefit from the single compound present in it. But if you’re using a product that contains a variety of cannabinoids, you can benefit from all their diverse healing properties.
For some people, the entourage effect is better than availing the advantages of a single cannabinoid. This is because, in addition to maximizing the potential benefits of existing cannabinoids, the entourage effect also minimizes the adverse effects of THC.
Compounds Present in Cannabis
There are over a hundred cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Here are the most important ones listed below:
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a primary compound present in the cannabis Sativa plant. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory, non-psychoactive, and calming properties. CBD is widely popular among medical and recreational cannabis users. There’s only one pure CBD-based drug in the market, Epidiolex, used to treat epilepsy in children.
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Tetrahydrocannabinol is known as THC. THC is the primary cannabinoid found in marijuana. THC is intoxicating but has some healing properties as well. THC is also used in some drugs to treat Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s disease, ALS, epilepsy, and some types of cancers. In the US, the states that allow the medical use of marijuana allow THC-based drugs to be sold.
There are two types of THC strains in the US, namely Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are compounds that are found in all cannabis plants. Flavonoids give a distinct aroma and taste to cannabis. However, the most important job of flavonoids is to help with cannabis reproduction through its incentivizing color.
Terpenes
Terpenes are compounds in the cannabis plant that are responsible for its aroma and flavor. Terpenes are of many types and include limonene, pinene, myrcene, linalool, humulene, bisabolol, and terpineol. Like cannabinoids, terpenes also have health benefits and are used individually as well as for the entourage effect.
How the Entourage Effect Works
Early research on cannabis showed that the cannabinoids attach themselves to CB1 receptors upon entering the bloodstream. The ECS system that contains CB1 receptors treats different cannabinoids differently. So if you consume THC oil, the CB1 receptors will act in a way that will cause a high. But if CBD is also present along THC, the CB1 receptors will react differently and thus will not lead to intoxication.
Benefits of Entourage Effect
While there’s no denying that CBD benefits can be availed on their own, here are some advantages that the entourage effect offers.
Better Potency
Products that contain all cannabinoids have a higher potency than standalone products. This makes the entourage effect ideal for people looking for a stronger kick with a smaller quantity of their medical cannabis.
Lower Side Effects
As discussed above, CBD benefits can be maximized when used together with THC. At the same time, CBD can also reduce the side effects of THC. For example, THC can cause paranoia that CBD can help prevent with its ability to improve focus.
Non-Intoxicating
Many people avoid THC due to its psychoactive properties. But if CBD and other cannabinoids combine through the entourage effect, users can avoid the high from THC. This is because CBD does not let THC attach itself to CB1 receptors in the same manner as it does when used alone.
Higher Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to the amount of CBD or THC that stays in your body after use. While many people prefer CBD vapes for their higher bioavailability, the entourage effect can help too. Upon using products that contain both CBD and THC, users can enjoy better retention of cannabis extracts in their bloodstream.
Faster Onset
It takes up to one hour for CBD edibles to kick in and show results. But with the entourage effect, you can enjoy a quicker delivery as the product becomes more potent and beneficial.
Longer Half-Life
Half-life refers to the time a compound stays in your blood. Entourage effects allow people to benefit from CBD or THC for longer by using the two substances together in a full-spectrum product.
Do All Cannabis Products Offer Entourage Effect?
By now, you might be prompted to find out ways to kick-start the entourage effect for yourself. But it’s not possible with all kinds of CBD or THC products. Here are the types of CBD products you should know about.
Full-Spectrum
Full-spectrum THC oils and CBD oils contain all the cannabinoids. If you buy a full-spectrum CBD oil, it will have THC, flavonoids, terpenes, and hundreds of other cannabinoids organically present in it.
Broad-Spectrum
But some people still want to avoid THC, although they want to benefit from terpenes or flavonoids. For them, there are broad-spectrum CBD oils, tinctures, and edibles.
Isolate CBD
Isolated CBD products contain nothing but organic CBD oil. Despite their numerous health benefits, these products are not as potent as full-spectrum products that offer the entourage effect.
Which Full-Spectrum Products Can You Try?
If you want to benefit from the entourage effect, you must opt for full-spectrum CBD and THC products. Here are some of the full-spectrum products available in the market:
Full-Spectrum Oil
CBD oils are known for their plethora of health benefits. And if you buy full-spectrum CBD oil containing less than 0.3 percent THC, you’re in for a great surprise. From pain management to sleep improvement, full-spectrum CBD oil can do it all.
Full-Spectrum Tinctures
But if you’re a fan of the sublingual method, then CBD tinctures are at your disposal. Full-spectrum CBD tinctures can help with anxiety relief, pain management, and alleviating symptoms of numerous illnesses.
Full-Spectrum Edibles
Although organic CBD edibles are extremely popular among anxiety patients, some are also a fan of full-spectrum products. Full-spectrum CBD edibles maximize the benefits of isolated CBD edibles and offer quick relief.
Full-Spectrum Vapes
Full-spectrum Delta-8 THC vapes have recently become popular among recreational and medical users. Vapes have the fastest onset time, higher bioavailability, and convenience that many users like.
Premium CBD and THC Flowers
If you’re a fan of the earthy taste of CBD and want to maximize the benefits of the entourage effect, you can go for the flowers. CBD and THC flowers are organic and contain all the goodness of the cannabinoids that different products incorporate.
Some Considerations to Keep in Mind
If you have read till here, you’re seriously considering trying the entourage effect. However, here are some considerations you should keep in mind.
Legality
The US allows full-spectrum products with no more than 0.3 percent THC. But some states still don’t allow the recreational use of marijuana. So if you’re about to try full-spectrum products, check your state laws.
Intoxication
A full-spectrum product that has a higher content of THC and lower content of CBD can still cause a high. So when you’re looking for an entourage effect, make sure to buy CBD edibles that have a higher CBD content and lesser THC amount.
Drug Tests
Drug tests are often not looking for CBD, so isolate CBD products are safe to use. But if you’re about to appear for a job interview or a drug test, try to avoid full-spectrum products. This is because the higher potency of full-spectrum products can result in THC showing up on a test despite a lesser quantity.
Tolerance
If you have been using CBD products for a while now, you may have developed tolerance. But if you have never used CBD at all and start with a high-potency full-spectrum product, you may be unable to handle it. This is because your body needs time to adapt to CBD for it to prevent THC from causing the high.
Purity
Many people are selling CBD vapes and tinctures that contain no CBD or THC. Misleading marketing and fraudulent practices are too common and may not allow you to benefit from the entourage effect. Always buy from reputable vendors selling pure CBD and THC oil-based products.
Concentration
The amount of THC, CBD, and other compounds in a product will make a real difference. If you want to ensure that the entourage effect works for you as you desire, buy CBD products that are full-spectrum and contain the right amount of other cannabinoids.
Adverse Effects
Some people can still feel the adverse effects of THC, such as dry mouth, nausea, paranoia, and intoxication, when they use full-spectrum products.
Reaction to Prescription Drugs
If you’re on prescription drugs or have an underlying medical condition, be sure to talk to your doctor. This is because full-spectrum products may react with certain medicines and the entourage effect may not work for you.
The Final Word
CBD and THC are revolutionizing the health, skincare, and wellness industry with numerous benefits and accessibility. The truth is that by amalgamating the two most popular cannabinoids CBD and THC, along with other cannabis compounds, you can surely maximize the benefits of each of the cannabis elements.
Full-spectrum oils, tinctures, vapes, and edibles are now easily available in the US. If you seek to avail the entourage effect, do your research to find pure products with the right concentration. After all, medical marijuana is legal in the US across 37 states, and it’s time for you to cater to your medical needs with this substance. Just keep the pointers in mind, and don’t buy products that fail to deliver results.
Buy Full-Spectrum Delta-8 THC and CBD Oils in the US
Are you interested in trying the entourage effect for yourself? Then it’s about time that you buy full-spectrum Delta-8 THC oils, full-spectrum CBD products, and full-spectrum edibles.
To get your hands on premium CBD products made from US-grown hemp, get in touch with Mary Jane’s Bakery Co. The online CBD shop has an array of full-spectrum THC oils, THC vapes, and CBD products that contain the goodness of all cannabis extracts.
You can check out CBD edibles, CBD vapes, CBD tinctures, and numerous other products offered by Mary Jane’s Bakery Co. here. Opened 24/7 and offering delivery across the US, the CBD store is a one-of-its-kind CBD shop with premium quality CBD products and organic CBD gummies for anxiety.