THE BEGINNING OF THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT

The earliest documented use of the term “entourage effect” appears to be a scientific study published in 1998 entitled An Entourage Effect: inactive endogenous fatty acid glycerol esters enhance 2-Arachidonoyl-glycerol cannabinoid activity.

This study analyzed how certain esters bind to CB1 & CB2 receptors and increase the biological activity of 2-AG while working together – something that doesn’t happen when they were isolated.1 2-AG naturally occurs in the central nervous system as well as in human milk.

It’s important to mention that while many people associate the term entourage effect to be a term for the effects of cannabis, the initial study conducted when the term was coined was not a study of the effects of cannabis.

While this study was the first time the process of compounds working together to enhance effect was named the Entourage Effect, it wasn’t the first time that scientists took note of its occurrence.

In 1981, scientists took note that THC had a much greater effect on mice when it was used as a whole plant rather than an isolate. ²

THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT TODAY

As with many things, the meaning and intention of the expression entourage effect has changed over time. Today, when people refer to the entourage effect, it’s almost exclusively related to the effect of cannabis and hemp.

The term Entourage Effect is now accepted by the general cannabis community as something that occurs with broad-spectrum cannabis or hemp products. The belief is that when utilizing the whole plant its multiple components work together to create a synergistic outcome colloquially called the entourage effect.

CAN BROAD-SPECTRUM, ZERO-THC CBD HAVE THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT?

The term “entourage” means a group of people surrounding and supporting a central person. Likewise, with the term “entourage effect”, there is one central component that is supported by other parts of the plant.

If a broad-spectrum CBD product has all the surrounding components – or the entourage – except for the THC, will the effect still occur?

While some scientific papers highlight the beneficial relationship between THC & CBD, others point to the general benefits of a synergistic relationship between other parts of the plant.⁴

Some scientists are exploring the potency of terpenoids and their overall contribution to the entourage effect.⁵

The truth is, the decades-long prohibition impeded the study of this incredible plant species, and only now are we beginning to catch up scientists are really only beginning to understand – and scientifically prove – how the compounds of cannabis and hemp work together and what amazing potential they hold.

Thanks to changes in laws and social acceptance, more researchers are able to dig deeper, uncovering more information about each of the compounds in the hemp plant and how they work together.

Right now, it’s impossible for anyone to say with absolute certainty which compounds are necessary to maximize the entourage effect of cannabis and hemp – and you should question anyone who tries to convince you that they have the answer. The best tactic is to keep reading the science as it continues to emerge so you can stay up-to-date with the latest findings.