The entourage effect theory suggests that other parts of the cannabis plant, beyond THC, collaborate with it to influence its overall psychoactive effects.
The Entourage Effect of Terpenes
It is a mechanism whereby cannabinoids and terpenes work simultaneously, and therapeutically to produce a range of effects called the ‘Entourage effect’ which is greater than the sum of its components. It’s the synergy of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds.
Note: According to Wikipedia, as of 2018, this concept has no rigorous scientific evidence.
Some studies suggest that there are benefits of the entourage effect of whole plants vs broad spectrum and the ability of terpenes to contribute to therapeutic roles far beyond expectations.
This paper also states that Sativex® which is a standardized whole cannabis extract is now a prescription in 29 countries and mainly incorporates terpenoids which make up 6 to 7 percent of total cannabinoids.
These studies conclude that there is strong support for full-spectrum cannabis as the better choice over single compounds such as CBD isolate.
Since 1994, I have suffered on and off with chronic pain as a result of degenerative joint changes in both my hips and knees. After refusing traditional pharmaceutical prescriptions as I felt they were invasive to my body, I started researching CBD products, specifically oils and medical marijuana products. I am happy to say that I have been taking them for over 3 years with tremendous success!
