The Entourage Effect Explained
As we go through our lives taking pills and isolated active ingredients to treat anything from simple headaches to severe psychological disorders, we often forget where these medicines come from. The fact is that most pharmaceutical products are made of natural plants and fungi, from which active ingredients are extracted and isolated.
Traditional medicinal practices, however, believe in the beneficial effects of using entire plants instead of isolates to treat diseases. The entourage effect refers to this synergic effect through which all the components of a particular plant act together and potentiate each other’s effects.
How Does the Entourage Effect work in CBD Products?
If you have done some research on the CBD oils available in the market, you might have noticed that there are “CBD isolates”, “Broad Spectrum CBD” and “Full Spectrum CBD” products. While isolates contain only cannabidiol, broad and full spectrum extracts include more of the natural components of the entire plant. This doesn’t necessarily mean full spectrum is better than isolates, it simply means the potential for maximum effect is there. Each individual is different.
Undoubtedly, the most well-known substance present in this miraculous plant apart from CBD is THC; the psychoactive component responsible for the “high” sensation commonly associated with marijuana. Low concentrations of tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), however, can boost the healing properties of cannabidiol without causing any undesirable effects. Cannabidiol, on the other hand, can counteract the psychoactive effects of THC, creating a real synergising effect that brings out and boosts the best of both substances.
But THC and CBD are not the only components that can work together and generate an entourage effect. There are many different cannabinoids that are naturally present in full-spectrum tinctures, each of them having individual properties and specific uses.
Hemp Oil: Much More than Cannabidiol
For customers dealing with depression, stress and anxiety, buying broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD oils is the best choice. While cannabidiol on its own is certainly beneficial for the entire body, components such as CBG and CBN are effective in regulating the number of neurotransmitters in the brain and tackling the root causes of neurological conditions, sleep disorders and chronic pain. CBDV can also be added to the powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving list of cannabinoids – our Earth Gummies have a higher than normal ratio of CBDV present to fight pain and inflammation further promoting stronger relaxation benefits.
Other common cannabinoids present include THCV; which promotes weight loss, and CBC; which is a natural antibiotic and has shown to have cancer-fighting properties.
Although the entourage effect most commonly refers to the synergic action of CBD and THC, different federal and state regulations around the world have established strict limits to the concentrations of tetrahydrocannabidiol in any hemp-derived product. However, while more scientific research is made available and legislative changes occur, we can keep enjoying the properties of the 100+ terpenes and cannabinoids of the plant working together to make our lives healthier.
We all know of Essential Oils! What about them?
As amazing as the entourage effect is with the sum of all parts being greater together and amplifying their singular parts beyond what the singular parts would do alone, is the synergistic effect of essential oils. Different oils working in combination with each other and intensifying the result of each oil beyond what they would alone!
It’s beautiful to see how the Entourage Effect is so widely studied arising from the hemp revolution we are embracing, and we can also start to see how effective natural medicines actually are and when brought together in the right way, produce more beneficial results than what would be expected.
One example is our Topical Balms where CBD’s Entourage Effect is coupled with various synergies of essential oils to produce a maximising effect on the skin and then within the body.
The Best Products to Enjoy the Entourage Effect
At Down to Earth, we believe in the effectiveness of these cannabinoids, terpenes and essential oils giving the ability of its components to restore your health and balance. Our Full Defence 2000 is a good choice for severe conditions relating to joint and muscle pain, sleep, inflammation, anxiety, PTSD and stress.
As mentioned above our Topicals range have Balms and Facial serums containing CBD and various essential oils designed to combat certain issues such as pain, skin conditions, muscle aches, tiredness, dryness and dehydration.
As Australia and New Zealand continue to work towards a fair regulation of CBD-related products, we are committed to delivering the highest quality products with quality selection, extraction and manufacturing processes. All our oils, edibles and topicals have cannabinoid laboratory reports and clear indications of the organic ingredients contained in these natural and safe products.