The Entourage Effect: What It Is & How To Get It

The term "entourage" refers to a group of people surrounding an important person. In the case of CBD, the VIP is cannabidiol1, a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol has soared in popularity for its potential mood-regulating and anti-inflammatory effects on the brain and body.*  

"The entourage effect is the theory that using a variety of compounds in the cannabis plant is more effective than using any single compound by itself," explains medical cannabis expert and double-board certified doctor Dave Gordon, M.D.

"The different compounds (like CBD and THC) balance each other out and provide positive benefits through different mechanisms, helping to optimize results. We see evidence of this in a wide range of lab studies but also in the experiences of consumers."

Think of it this way: Is a sports team as likely to win using their star player alone? The cannabis plant includes over 400 compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and over 120 cannabinoids. Two of these starring cannabinoids are THC and CBD. And, much like a sports team, each compound brings something special to the table.  

To understand how the entourage effect can benefit us, let's first recap how our bodies respond to hemp CBD products.  

Hemp-derived CBD and its many compounds interact with our endocannabinoid system (or ECS). The ECS is a cellular-level network responsible for maintaining homeostasis across our bodies.

As Mignon Walker, M.D., director of SLIP Emotional Resistance Building explains, the compounds in CBD bind to receptors4 in our ECS and create varied responses in each organ system. In order to bind to CB1 receptors, CBD needs to have THC. It is thought that CBD is influencing other, non-cannabinoid receptors.

As we mentioned, the star players of the CBD team are the cannabinoids. CBD and THC are the most notable (and most researched). However, research on cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol5 (CBG) is promising. Studies suggest that these substances have anti-stress and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Keep in mind, THC is the only cannabinoid in the plant with psychoactive properties. Many CBD products stay within the federal legal limit of 0.3%, which will not make you feel high. Products with a higher potency can, however, cause psychoactive effects. 

The entourage effect is defined by the interaction of cannabinoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, and terpenes working in conjunction. Because of this, Walker says those added compounds can increase the overall effect of a particular strain of CBD. 

Not all CBD products offer the same combination of compounds. As our experts shared, the key to the entourage effect is, well, the entourage! Here's what you should know about the three common types of CBD on the market.  

CBD isolate: This is the most basic form of CBD as it's been filtered to exclude all compounds except cannabinol. If you've been paying attention, you're right to assume CBD isolate products do not provide an entourage effect. 

Broad-spectrum CBD: This type of CBD is filtered to exclude THC but hangs on to many of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Broad-spectrum CBD products may be a preferable pick for anyone looking to avoid THC but still benefit from the entourage effect.*

Full-spectrum CBD: Often referred to as the "holy grail" of CBD (and Gordon's preferred type). Full-spectrum CBD products include all compounds of the plant, including up to 0.3% THC. Again, that's within the federal legal limit and won't get you high. Because the gang's all here, this is your best bet when it comes to the entourage effect.