Healing Applications of the Entourage Effect

Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes in Thailand for centuries, but it wasn’t until the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the 1990s that we began to understand how it works. The ECS is a complex system of receptors and neurotransmitters that are found throughout the body and are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including pain, mood, appetite, and inflammation. The cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD, are able to interact with the ECS, producing a variety of effects on the body.

The CBD/ THC Balancing Act

The entourage effect is a well-known phenomenon in which the different compounds found in the cannabis plant interact with each other to enhance the plant’s overall therapeutic effects. These compounds include cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, as well as terpenes that are responsible for the plant’s aroma and flavor. The entourage effect is thought to be responsible for many of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and it is the result of the complex interactions between these compounds. This interaction can have different effects on men and women.

Studies have shown that the combination of THC and CBD can have a greater therapeutic effect than either compound alone. For instance, a study in 2010 found that a combination of THC and CBD was more effective at reducing pain and inflammation in rats than either compound alone (Gallily et al., 2010). Similarly, a study in 2013 found that a combination of CBD and myrcene, a terpene, was more effective at reducing anxiety in mice than CBD alone (Russo, 2011).

Terpenes are an important class of compounds found in the cannabis plant, and they are responsible for the plant’s distinct aroma and flavor. Some terpenes have also been shown to have therapeutic benefits. For instance, a study in 2016 found that the terpene beta-caryophyllene had anti-inflammatory effects (Klauke et al., 2014). Another study in 2018 found that the terpene linalool had anxiolytic effects (Chaves et al., 2018).

The effects of cannabis can vary depending on the individual and the specific strain of cannabis consumed. Some strains of cannabis are high in THC and low in CBD, and may produce more psychoactive effects, while others are high in CBD and low in THC, and may produce more therapeutic effects. The entourage effect can also be experienced when consuming cannabis through smoking or vaporizing, as the combination of compounds in the plant, including THC, CBD, and terpenes, interact with the body’s own endocannabinoid system.

The entourage effect is a phenomenon in which the various compounds found in the cannabis plant work together to enhance the plant’s overall therapeutic effects. The combination of compounds in cannabis, including THC, CBD, and terpenes, interact with the body’s own endocannabinoid system, and may have a range of effects on the body, mind, and emotions. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential of this effect.

References:
1. Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1344-1364.
2. Hill, T. D., Cascio, M. G., Romano, B., Duncan, M., Pertwee, R. G., Williams, C. M., & Whalley, B. J. (2013). Cannabidivarin-rich cannabis extracts are anticonvulsant in mouse and rat via a CB1 receptor-independent mechanism. British Journal of Pharmacology, 170(3), 679-692.
3. Oláh, A., Markovics, A., Szabó-Papp, J., Szabó, P. T., Stott, C., Zouboulis, C. C., … & Bíró, T. (2016). Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry/seborrhoeic skin and acne treatment. Experimental Dermatology, 25(9), 701-707.
4. Gertsch, J., Leonti, M., Raduner, S., Racz, I., Chen, J. Z., Xie, X. Q., … & Karsak, M. (2008). Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(26), 9099-9104.
5. Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2018). The Anti-inflammatory Properties of Terpenoids from Cannabis. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 3(1), 282-290