%402x.svg){kind=icon}
.jpg)
Products
Written by Darren Heller
Cannabis, often referred to as a weed, is anything but simple. Within this extraordinary plant, over 400 chemical compounds coexist, with only a fraction of them thoroughly studied. These compounds are responsible for the myriad flavors, potencies, aromas, and appearances of cannabis strains, coming together to create a fascinating phenomenon known as the entourage effect.
In this article, we'll embark on a journey to demystify the entourage effect—a phenomenon where the chemical compounds within cannabis work harmoniously to maximize their therapeutic potential.
Some argue that consuming the entire cannabis plant is more beneficial than isolating a single compound from it. The term "entourage effect" was first introduced into the cannabis lexicon in a 1999 paper authored by Israeli chemist Rafael Mechoulam, the scientist who initially identified THC as the primary psychoactive component of cannabis.
Mechoulam, along with fellow chemist Shimon Ben-Shabat, examined the interactions between compounds within the cannabis plant. Their groundbreaking findings revealed that certain cannabinoids could enhance the effectiveness of others. In essence, as described by Chris Emerson, a chemist for Level Brands, in a 2017 Scientific American interview, the entourage effect is "the sum of all the parts that leads to the magic or power of cannabis."
In practical terms, this means that full-spectrum cannabis products do not isolate a single component but instead utilize all of the plant's natural constituents to provide a more balanced and holistic result.
The beauty of the entourage effect lies in its natural occurrence. When different terpenes and cannabinoids, all intrinsic to the cannabis plant, intermingle and complement each other, the entourage effect is set in motion. Brands like Pure Phyr, have natural ingredients and intriguing blends, can help you explore and understand this phenomenon.
It's important to note that full-spectrum products, despite containing THC, do not necessarily induce intoxication. In the United States, cannabis products must not exceed 0.3% THC, a trace amount insufficient to produce a high but sufficient to unlock the precious entourage effect, enhancing your desired experience.
At its core, the benefits of the entourage effect revolve around the two most renowned cannabis compounds: THC and CBD.
These compounds exhibit an inverse relationship—higher THC levels correlate with lower CBD levels, and vice versa. However, their interaction doesn't end there; it continues post-consumption. While THC can induce a head high that may lead to anxiety, CBD counteracts these effects with its calming bodily influence.
This interaction is grounded in molecular science.
Research has unveiled that the terpene linalool, when combined with CBD, can serve as an effective anti-anxiety remedy. Conversely, when paired with THC, linalool acts as a potent sedative.
On a different note, alpha-pinene terpene combined with THC helps retain acetylcholine—a memory retention molecule that can reduce the short-term memory loss sometimes associated with THC consumption.
Isolated cannabinoids can be likened to medications with a list of fine-print side effects. These effects can be amplified or diminished when cannabinoids interact with other naturally occurring chemical compounds found in cannabis plants.
While these studies offer promising insights into the potential of the entourage effect, further extensive research, particularly clinical trials involving human patients, is needed to provide definitive answers. Unfortunately, due to cannabis prohibition, researchers have been limited in their ability to conduct such trials.