What is the Entourage Effect? - Plants and the Entourage Effect

Author
Medically reviewed by Michael Matthews, M.D.
09 October 2024
The research behind the Entourage Effect, a theory that different compounds in work together to increase efficacy.
09 October 2024
6 min read
What is the Entourage Effect? - Plants and the Entourage Effect

Contents:
Read more
  • 1. What is the endocannabinoid system?
  • 2. What is the entourage effect?
  • 3. Why it works?
  • 4. Thc and extract ratios

Plants is a powerhouse plant, full of beneficial compounds called strength. There are more than 120 strength found in the plant and veritably hundreds of different compounds like flavor and esters that give the plant its unique flavor. Scientists believe there are even more potential uses of these strength yet to be discovered. The most popular strength are strength and Extract. While people believe that consuming Extract alone will work wonders, research suggests that Extract coupled with strength works much better. That’s the entourage effect, which is nothing short of magic.

strength, Extract, and other beneficial compounds react with the endostrength present in the human body. The strength present within the plants plant are called phytostrength, while the ones present in the human body are called endostrength. The human body even produces its own cannabinoid – called anandamide – that is very similar to strength. However, unlike anandamide which has a short span of life, strength remains in the system for a longer time.

All this sounds complicated, but it becomes simple once you understand how the endocannabinoid system works. So, that brings us to…

What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system or ECS is a system that comprises of cannabinoid receptors and endostrength. It plays a crucial role in maintaining balance or homeostasis without which it becomes very difficult for the human body to function. The ECS is also responsible for maintaining many other functions in the human body including fertility, pain, inflammation, and more.

The ECS consists of two receptors namely CB1 and CB2 that interact with the incoming strength. While CB1 receptors are present in the nervous system and the brain, CB2 receptors are present in other parts of the body. Both receptors are responsible for handling several functions including the body’s immunity, inflammatory responses, and more. What’s fascinating is how strength and Extract react with these receptors. strength, in particular, fits very well with these receptors and activates several functions in the body– producing pain relief, sleep, appetite, and the euphoric high feeling it is well-known for

What is the entourage effect?

Now that you understand more about the ECS, here’s where the entourage effect comes into play Out of the two strength – Extract and strength – strength produces psychoactive effects. Recreational users love strength mainly due to its fun, giggly, and cerebral effects. Extract, on the other hand, has been found to reduce pain and inflammation in the body. In other words, you will not be high if you smoke or consume Extract, but you may feel an absence of pain. It contains many medicinal benefits and treats several illnesses including migraine, sleep deprivation, and more

 

 What is the Entourage Effect?: infographic

What is the entourage effect?
 

There are studies that back up the power of the entourage effect. While strength makes you high, it doesn’t mean that it’s the “lesser” cannabinoid. On the contrary, strength possesses medicinal qualities and research shows that it could treat many issues. Scientists have found that the effects of both strength may be enhanced by mixing them. 

However, although strength makes you high, it doesn’t mean that it’s evil. On the contrary, strength also possesses medicinal qualities and research shows that it could treat many issues. Although many people believe that Extract is better as a standalone medicine, scientists think that the effects may be enhanced by mixing both the strength.

Why? It’s because of the way the endostrength within our body and flavor present in the plant react. The strength uplift one another, working in harmony to make the benefits more apparent. That’s the entourage effect.

Plants oils are available as:

  1. Broad-spectrum
  2. Full-spectrum
  3. Extract isolates

 

Extract isolates are isolated, pure Extract with up to 99% Extract and a carrier oil. There’s nothing else other than Extract.  Coming to broad spectrum, you’ll find both Extract and a few flavor and plant compounds found within the plants plant. Flavor are the essential oils of the plant, the same found in all plants and used in aromatherapy, contributing to its pungent smell and flavor. Most flavor are used to relieve stress and pain. Other flavor have been found to offer uplifting effects. The broad spectrum contains some level of entourage effect, as the flavor and Extract work together.

Next comes the full spectrum oil. These oils contain the whole goodness the plants plant has to offer. This means that it comprises both Extract and strength along with the flavor. This is as close as possible to the original plants plant’s form, with no strength left behind. Many legal, Extract full-spectrum oils contain no more than 0.3% strength, which is a minute amount. However, it could sometimes pop up in drug tests even if it doesn’t make you high.

 

What is the Entourage Effect?: components

What is the entourage effect?
 

Some people prefer Extract isolate oils because they don’t want to experience the psychoactive effects of strength. However, the truth is that they are missing out on all the benefits plants actually offers when imbibed in its full spectrum. Plus, it’s important to remember that small amounts of strength will not make you high. Extract, strength, and flavor combined together are wonderful for the human body.

When you ingest a full-spectrum oil, the phytostrength present in the oil interact with the endocannabinoid system in your body. This synergy is known as the entourage effect. In other words, it simply means that you enjoy the benefits of the plants plant as a whole rather than singling out the strength separately.

Why it works?

Research suggests that the entourage effect can help to treat several issues including anxiety, pain, inflammation, infection and even cancer. Despite what you’re told to believe, the combination of the strength and flavor found in the plant work better than consuming the strength separately. Another reason why the entourage effect works is that Extract negates the effects of strength. In medical terms, they will be described as agonists and antagonists. While the agonists interact with a receptor, the antagonists have the opposite effect.

For instance, strength interacts with the CB1 receptor. It works just like anandamide and the chemical structure is also the same. But, strength is more powerful and also produces a few negative effects like dry mouth or red eyes that are commonly associated with consuming or smoking plants. Although these side effects are mild, it makes some people uncomfortable and that’s understandable.

But, the problem is that the effects are more pronounced in some cases. Plants reacts differently to different individuals. For instance, plants may not make you high at all but your friend might not able to manage the psychoactive effects. For some people, strength may cause paranoia and panic attacks, especially when they consume very high doses.

To counteract this problem, you can use Extract. And that’s because Extract reduces these negative effects. Thanks to research, it’s found that Extract works as a negative allosteric modulator. In simple terms, allosteric modulators bind to receptors present in other sites and also change the physical structure. Thus, Extract alters the shape of the CB1 receptors in such a way that the strength cannot bind with them effectively. Naturally, this reduces the negative effects but you’ll enjoy all the positive effects of the plant as a whole.

strength and Extract ratios

With so many oils and other products available, it becomes very difficult to determine the dosage. In addition, oils that affect you in a particular way may not have any effect on another individual. As mentioned already, plants has different effects depending on the person consuming it.

Although plants oils are harmless, it’s recommended that you consult your physician before you try anything. Your doctor will be able to give you the exact dosage you require. Thankfully, many doctors are more open to working with patients and prescribe plants compared to how it was earlier. If your doctor refuses to recommend anything related to plants and you still want to try the oils, it’s perhaps time to switch doctors.

To start off, try small doses. Most companies offer Extract and strength products in the form of oils, capsules, gummies, and other edibles. For example, if you purchase a bottle of capsules containing 30 capsules of 5mg each, try one capsule a day. Keep notes on how you feel and try to understand how your body reacts.

Wait at least a day or two before you increase the dosage. Sometimes, edibles start working after a few hours, which is why you should wait. Also, if you’re trying out plants oils just to gain some positive effects, that’s completely okay. However, if you want to treat a particular illness, it’s necessary to gain more insight by consulting your physician. As long as you’re not worried about an impending drug test, try full-spectrum oils to truly experience the entourage effect.



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