Plants are usually thought to be best in their natural state. Using chemical methods to cook and process them only degrades their effectiveness. The cannabis entourage effect is based on this concept.
Cannabis is best in its natural state. This is why so many people prefer full-spectrum CBD to CBD isolate: you get additional compounds that function synergistically together as opposed to an individual compound. Whole plant CBD+CBDA is the next evolution of CBD that includes even more of the entourage.
What Does Cannabis Contain Naturally?
Cannabis plants contain over 120 cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both have medicinal properties. Cannabis plants contain a variety of additional substances, such as flavonoids and terpenes.
According to one school of thinking, combining all of these components in their natural state produces a more potent and effective substance. This is thought to be true regardless of the method of use.
This is especially noticeable in full-spectrum CBD products. Cannabinoids—including CBD and CBDA, THCA, flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oils—are present in full-spectrum CBD products. Furthermore, they operate together to enhance the therapeutic advantages of each chemical. The “entourage effect” is the name given to this phenomenon.
Many CBD proponents argue that the full-spectrum form is the most helpful, regardless of the application. This is because it has significantly higher bioavailability.
The CBD Entourage Effect’s Importance
The entourage effect refers to the positive benefits on human bodies of the synergistic interplay of all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found naturally in cannabis plants. All of these molecules’ effects are amplified when they interact with our bodies, making them more bioavailable and potent. In a nutshell, it’s a system-wide synergistic impact. In other words, it’s teamwork!
In the case of cannabis, it is known that the various chemicals can enhance each other’s benefit. As a result, they can improve their effect on humans and animals alike and assist in the more efficient treatment of undesirable symptoms.
When scientists examined the effects of THC with those of the entire plant, they identified the entourage effect. The truth is, the approximately 100 other cannabinoids found in cannabis augment the effect of THC. CBD, one of the most important components and cannabinoids in this scenario, was found to moderate THC’s effects on the human body.
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give plants their distinctive aroma and flavor. Furthermore, they have medicinal effects of their own, which is why terpenes are the foundation of aromatherapy. Limonene from citrus fruits and linalool from lavender are two common terpenes. Caryophyllene, linalool, limonene, and myrcene are some of the most prevalent terpenes found in cannabis, and they all have health advantages.
Terpenes serve another vital function in addition to their inherent therapeutic properties: They increase the potency of cannabinoids, particularly CBD. However, terpenes are not abundant in many cannabis products as they are lost in drying or stripped in traditional extraction techniques.
What Are Flavonoids?
Flavonoids are phytonutrients that give plants a color other than green, such as the red of apples or berries. They also serve as cell messengers. Quercetin is the flavonoid found in cannabis plants. It is used in many applications for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
What Is Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is the pigment in plants that gives plants their green color. It is removed in cannabis products as it gives oils a dark color and has a bitter taste to it. However, chlorophyll has gained popularity in the health and beauty communities for its antioxidant and skin benefits.
What Is Whole Plant CBD+CBDA?
Whole plant CBD+CBDA is the next evolution of CBD. The industry started with highly processed isolates that only contained CBD. As technology and methods advanced, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products emerged to include other cannabinoids and slight amounts of terpenes and flavonoids. Now, cutting edge technology has enabled whole plant CBD+CBDA with significant amounts of CBDA, terpenes, flavonoids, and even chlorophyll for the most flavorful and effective products.
Conclusion
Cannabis has been part of therapeutic use by health practitioners for centuries. Initial studies led people to believe that THC and CBD were fully responsible for these benefits. However, the latest research shows that there are other compounds in the plant, such as terpenes, minor cannabinoids, flavonoids, and chlorophyll, that are also responsible for these benefits.
Some people cannot take products with THC or don’t care for the taste or smell of full-spectrum products. However, if you want the full benefits of CBD or if CBD hasn’t worked for you in the past, you should try whole plant CBD+CBDA products for the most powerful cannabis products with the complete entourage effect.