The entourage effect
The Entourage Effect and CBD Oil: How Does the Synergistic Effect Enhance CBD?
The entourage effect is the term used to describe the enhanced effects of cannabinoids, such as CBD, when multiple compounds work synergistically rather than alone. This synergistic effect is known as the entourage effect.
Everyone knows about CBD or THC, but hemp contains much more than just these two cannabinoids.
Not All Hemp Extracts Are Created Equal
Just because two companies make CBD oil doesn't mean the quality is close in terms of effectiveness and safety.
One company’s CBD oil is not the same CBD oil as another. It’s important to understand that there are many variables that go into making CBD extracts.
The genetics of the hemp plants, the extraction method and parameters used, and the purification process are three of the many crucial parts of the manufacturing process.
The first two parts mentioned may be exceptional. Yet, if the purification process cannot retain the essential cannabinoids and lighter compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids, it doesn’t make much difference.
Purchasing from a reputable company with extensive knowledge and experience in hemp extraction is essential to obtaining a safe yet effective product.

DISCOVER OUR HIGH QUALITY CBD OILS
Studies show that multiple molecules working in synergy are much more effective than a product containing only CBD . Hemp contains over 100 cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC and CBN, as well as over 200 terpenes and flavonoids with unique health properties. All our oils are therefore full spectrum and of very high quality.
Entourage Effect: What the Research Shows
It all started in 1998 when Professors Raphael Mechoulam and Shimon Ben-Shabat discovered that the endocannabinoid system exhibited an “entourage effect” when they noticed that plant compounds significantly increased the activity of our receptors.
These receptors, which interact with our endocannabinoid system, play a crucial role in regulating and balancing many bodily processes such as immune response, communication between cells, sleep cycles, memory, etc.
In 2001, two well-known researchers, John McPartland and Ethan Russo, published a paper titled “Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater Than the Sum of Their Parts.”
This research paper further examines Professors Mechoulam and Ben-Shabat's claims about how cannabinoids interact with secondary compounds, such as terpenes and flavonoids.
Their research found supporting evidence that cannabinoid- and terpene-rich extracts enhanced pharmacological activities that enhanced and expanded clinical applications and improved the therapeutic index.
To summarize, terpenes enhance the effects of cannabinoids, and having intact terpenes with cannabinoids shows a noticeable difference in effects.
More than CBD – Cannabinoids, Terpenes and Flavonoids
What are “minor cannabinoids”?
Minor cannabinoids are cannabinoids, much like CBD or THC, found in hemp. Since they are found in much smaller amounts, ranging from 0.01 mg to 5-7 mg per 1,000 mg of extract, they are considered “minor” cannabinoids.
Although found in minor amounts, they still play a crucial role in the synergistic effects of CBD products. You’d be surprised how much of a difference they still make, even at these small amounts.
Research studies on minor cannabinoids are lacking compared to CBD. However, they still show promising results from what we know. Here are three cannabinoids out of the 113 scientists have discovered to date:
What is Cannabigerol (CBG)
CBG is the final form of CBGA, which is sometimes referred to as the “stem cell” cannabinoid. Scientists have been studying the potential antimicrobial and digestive benefits of CBG.
What is Cannabinol (CBN)
CBN can be produced by aging THC or by converting CBD. Many people who use CBN believe this cannabinoid has sleep-promoting properties, and CBN has been studied for its potential neuroprotective benefits.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
CBC is a little-known cannabinoid that has been studied for its potential analgesic benefits. Scientists have studied CBC's activity at TRPV1 receptors in the nervous system, which regulate inflammation and pain.
Other notable cannabinoids are cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabicitran (CBT) or tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are another group of chemical compounds found in hemp and are an essential group of aromatic compounds that give plants their unique scent. They are present in almost every plant on earth, and everything you can smell and feel from a plant is due to the terpenes present in the plant.
Health Benefits of Terpenes and Role with Cannabinoids
Not only do terpenes play a crucial role in the entourage effect, but they have a wide range of health benefits. Medicinal properties like anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic.
What are flavonoids?
Cannabinoids and terpenes have proven to take center stage as cannabis and CBD products become widely used. First, people discover the other cannabinoids—aside from THC or CBD—and then they discover these fantastic compounds called terpenes. However, there’s more that contributes to the entourage effect: flavonoids.
Flavonoids are a group of phytonutrients found in all kinds of fruits, flowers, vegetables, and of course, cannabis and hemp. The main function of flavonoids is to serve as cellular messengers and are also known to provide plant pigment.
Flavonoids make sunflowers pop against a sunny blue sky and give blueberries their name. However, studies have shown that these compounds have many health benefits.
Scientists have identified thousands of them in nature, and some are found only in cannabis and hemp. The flavonoids found in hemp and marijuana are called cannaflavins .
In a 2011 study , they found that flavonoids had the following properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Neuroprotective
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
Summary of the Entourage Effect: Enhancing the Effects of CBD Oil
Cannabinoids work best with a combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids versus a product with fewer compounds or, even worse, just pure CBD from isolate.