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Summary of our dossier on the entourage effect
So that the choice of your CBD oil oil or any other Cannabis-based product, it's important to have a notion of what is the entourage effect.
In this article, the Nobilis-Product team explains in simple terms what it's all about. but also what it means when buying CBD oil, or any other product derived from hemp. And most importantly, what are the advantages of choosing products with the entourage effect.
The entourage effect: definition
Theentourage effect theory was first formulated in 1998 by Ben-Shabata member of the team of renowned scientist Raphaël Mechoulam. But at the time, knowledge of cannabis' mode of action was still too incomplete for the theory to be taken seriously.
Today, more and more scientists, including Dr. Ethan Russoare looking into the entourage effect theory, accumulating data to confirm its existence.
Synergy principle in the notion of entourage effect
The principle of the entourage effect is actually quite simple to understand. It's based on the old maxim that "the whole is more than the sum of its parts".. In concrete terms, the entourage effect theory states that the components of hemp offer more beneficial effects when consumed together rather than separately.
But then, what are hemp's compounds? Well, as we'll see in the next paragraph, there are a lot more than you might think! In fact, if we limit ourselves to cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), we're way off the mark, since there are more than 500!
While these are the two most abundant molecules in cannabis flowers, they are not the only ones. Despite this, scientists have long been content to polarize the effects of cannabis:
- THC being a psychoactive moleculeit is responsible for the plant's intoxicating effects;
- CBD, which is non-psychoactive, is responsible for its benefits.
It's not entirely untrue, but it's not entirely true either! In fact, research has quickly shown that, CBD attenuates the psychoactive effects of THC.
Indeed, at the same THC concentration, an extract containing CBD will not have the same effect as one without. Conclusion: CBD and THC have a different effect when consumed together rather than separately.
This discovery paved the way for a number of studies looking into possible possible interactions between hemp's various compounds. And thus on the entourage effect.
Hemp compounds: cannabinoids, terpenes & flavonoids
As you probably know, hemp's active molecules are synthesized in its flowers, more precisely in small glands called trichomes.
Apart from vegetable fat, chlorophyll and other "secondary" substances, hemp flowers contain :
- Over 120 cannabinoids THC and CBD, but also cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichromene (CBC).
- Numerous terpeneswhich are odoriferous and gustatory substances. These include myrcene, linalool, pinene and caryophyllene, terpenes frequently found in cannabis varieties;
- And last but not least, flavonoidssome of which are unique to cannabis, such as cannflavine.
Taken independently, each of these substances has shown therapeutic effects.
Cannabinol (CBN) has sedative sedative propertieswhile cannabigerol (CBG) is said to be effective against inflammatory pain. Terpenes, meanwhile, are widely used in aromatherapy. For example, linalool, also found in lavender, is used in formulations designed to promote sleep. Finally, cannflavine, the star flavonoid of cannabis, is said to have analgesic power 100 times stronger than aspirin itself!
Despite all these wonderful discoveries, recent studies show that it's better to consume hemp's molecules as a whole rather than separately, in a targeted, isolated way. This would simply be more effective.
The entourage effect: what are the concrete benefits?
The mechanism of action of hemp molecules is not yet well understood, whether they are taken alone or in combination. In any case, the entourage effect is increasingly associated with greater efficacy. Here's why.
Benefit from a global balancing effect, homeostasis
First of all, you need to know that cannabinoids (as well as terpenes and flavonoids) act on a set of receptors distributed throughout our body called the endocannabinoid system.
These receptors (CB1, CB2, but also TRPV, etc.) have the ability to activate or inhibit key physiological processes such as the inflammatory response, the secretion of certain hormones or nerve impulses.
Schematically speaking, each hemp molecule is, in a way, specialized in a particular area. THC targets the CB1 receptors in the brain, altering the state of consciousness. CBD, on the other hand, acts indirectly on serotonin synthesis, promoting a state of relaxation.
It's as if each molecule played its own instrument. Except that when you look at the whole picture, you realize that all the molecules are playing a common melodylike an orchestra.
This makes all the more sense when you consider that the main purpose of the endocannabinoid system is to promote homeostasisan optimal state of equilibrium for the entire organism.
In short, the entourage effect helps to to harmonize the whole organismrather than focusing on a single symptom. This idea resonates with those who favor a "holistic" approach.
Simplified dosage
One of the most interesting aspects of the entourage effect is without doubt dosage. Studies have shown that extracts containing all the cannabis molecules are much easier to dose than those containing only one or two.
In concrete terms, extracts containing the plant's entire molecular baggage follow an efficacy curve proportional to the dose consumed. Simply put: the greater the quantity, the greater the effect.
It may sound banal, but it's not! In fact, on the contrary, extracts containing only CBD have a bell-shaped efficacy curve (or inverted "U"). This means you need to find the right dose to benefit from its effects. If you take too little, you won't get any effect, and if you exceed the optimum dose, you won't either.
To find out morealso read : Study finds full spectrum extracts more effective than CBD isolate. This article discusses a study showing that the efficacy of products containing the plant's full molecular baggage comes from their dosage curve.
A less refined and therefore more natural extract = a better surrounding effect and therefore greater efficacy
Finally, it is interesting to consider that products containing all the molecules synthesized in cannabis flowers are necessarily less refined than those whose formulation concentrates on one or two molecules.
Commercially available CBD products are inevitably the result of several solvent-based processing steps. The only real way to consume hemp naturally is to to consume its flowers. As soon as there is processing, there is extraction, and therefore solvent use.
However, a product that contains all the active molecules of hemp necessarily goes through fewer refining stages. Some of these products, like our Full Spectrum CBD oils, can even apply for the organic labelThis is because the extraction solvent used is ethanol, which is of natural origin.
Which CBD products allow you to take advantage of the entourage effect?
Now that you know what the entourage effect is and what its benefits are, maybe you'd like to take advantage of it! If so, then you should be looking at full spectrum" CBD products.
What is full spectrum?
The term "full spectrum" means that the product contains all the hemp molecules. It therefore contains CBD, but also the so-called "minor" cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG, CBT, CBC, etc., as well as terpenes and flavonoids. It also contains THCbut its concentration is, of course, reduced below 0.3%.. This is to comply with French legislation, but also to avoid its psychotropic effects.
Indeed, full spectrum CBD products do not cause any change in the state of consciousness. However, in the event of a roadside check, traces of THC may be detected. be detected by anti-drug tests, which can lead to complications...
Despite this drawback, if you want to take advantage of the entourage effect, look no further than full spectrum products, and in particular full spectrum oilsoils in particular.
What if I don't want to use THC...?
For those who do not wish to use THC at all, there is the "broad spectrumor "broad spectrum". This type of product contains all the molecules of hemp, with the exception of THC.
While this has the advantage of protecting you from possible complications with the police, technically, the entourage effect is incomplete... It's up to you!
In any case, if you have any doubts about the entourage effect, full or broad spectrum CBD oils, don't hesitate to contact us ! Our team will be delighted to explain everything to you so that you can make an informed choice.
