Two cultivars (strains) of medical marijuana with similar amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may offer completely different experiences. The entourage effect is why, and it’s paramount to consider as you shop — keep reading to learn all about it.
What is the entourage effect?
The entourage effect is the theory that consuming several medical marijuana compounds at once impacts your body differently than if you consumed an isolated compound, such as just THC. The theory states that each of the compounds in medical marijuana behaves differently when in the presence of other compounds. This matters since no two cultivars (strains) of medical marijuana flower have the exact same cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Variations in these profiles may result in different experiences.
In short, since flower (and some medical marijuana concentrates, like live resin) contain all of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes, when you consume it, you don’t just experience the effects of one cannabinoid or terpene. The entourage effect posits that you experience the combined impact of all these plant compounds.
Cannabinoids and the entourage effect
Phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD are naturally occurring plant compounds found in medical marijuana flower. These compounds are especially concentrated in the plant’s trichomes, which are the fuzzy white “hairs” that line the bud.
In medical marijuana flower, the primary cannabinoid is THC, which imparts the plant’s cerebral effects. It also plays a role in pain perception, appetite stimulation, and several other symptoms and side effects that medical marijuana may help.
Other cannabinoids exist in hemp and medical marijuana flower too, including cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC), all of which are non-intoxicating and known as minor cannabinoids. These cannabinoids and CBD are often present in only low amounts in medical marijuana flower (though hemp flower has much higher CBD than THC content). They nevertheless contribute to the entourage effect, and ingestibles are often formulated to contain specific ratios of CBD or minor cannabinoids (or both) to THC.
Which cannabinoids have which potential effects?
THC, CBD, and the minor cannabinoids are associated with the following effects. For the minor cannabinoids, much more research is needed into whether these compounds ultimately play a role in these potential effects, but initial studies are promising.
- THC: Pain relief, appetite stimulation, and symptom and side effect management for those with health conditions such as multiple sclerosis
- CBD: Seizure prevention, anxiety relief, neuropathic and inflammatory pain
- CBN: “Couch lock,” anti-inflammatory effects, sedating effects
- CBG: Appetite stimulation, anti-inflammatory effects, relief from inflammatory bowel disease
- CBC: Anti-inflammatory effects, anti-depressant effects
Terpenes and the entourage effect
Terpenes are compounds that occur naturally in all plants, including medical marjuana. They shape how a cultivar (strain) smells and tastes, and they’re believed to influence how a strain makes you feel.
The most common terpenes in medical marijuana are myrcene, pinene, limonene, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, humulene, and terpinolene. Each of these terpenes may shape whether the medical marijuana cultivar you’re consuming imparts effects of relaxation, energy, or restfulness.
Which terpenes have which potential effects?
The most common terpenes in medical marijuana are widely believed to make you feel as follows.
- Myrcene: Relaxation
- Pinene: Invigorating effects with potential anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, and memory-boosting effects
- Limonene: Uplifting, energizing, creative, talkative, and anti-anxiety properties
- Linalool: Relaxation, anti-anxiety
- Beta-caryophyllene: Anti-inflammatory effects, calming
- Humulene: Anti-anxiety, with potential anti-inflammatory effects
- Terpinolene: Relaxation, anti-anxiety, focused, creative
What is an example of the entourage effect?
Suppose you’re enjoying Rythm’s Afternoon Delight #4 flower. This cultivar’s THC content is 30.95%, and its most abundant terpenes are limonene, caryophyllene, and myrcene, with percentages by volume of, respectively, 0.549%, 0.534%, and 0.33%. (These are typical percentages for terpenes, and the precise percentage of terpenes varies from harvest to harvest.) Each of these cannabinoids and terpenes together, instead of individually, contribute to how you experience this cultivar.
Given Afternoon Delight #4’s high THC content, you’re likely to experience strong cerebral effects. This cultivar isn’t known for having a high CBD content, so there isn’t a cannabinoid in the flower that might dampen its effects.
Meanwhile, the limonene could potentially help you feel energized and social. The caryophyllene may have an additional anti-inflammatory effect, and the myrcene might help you relax too. These compounds together suggests that this may be a good strain for pain relief.
Keep in mind that everyone’s reaction to medical marijuana is different, and you may not experience the expected effects of a different strain. The best way to know how a strain affects you is to try it. We recommend keeping a diary to detail how medical marijuana makes you feel and speaking with our pharmacists to help point you in the right direction as you find what works for you.
How to shop for medical marijuana with the entourage effect in mind
When choosing Vytal Options for all your medical marijuana needs, here’s how to find the right products while considering the entourage effect.
1. Know your goals
If you’re seeking pain relief, you may find medical marijuana flower more effective than high-CBD ingestibles, given THC’s potential ability to reduce pain perception. That said, you might also be seeking pain relief with less intoxication, in which case flower with relatively low THC content is better. Even better are strains with high percentages of pinene or beta-caryophyllene. Consider your goals, then look at which cannabinoids and terpenes might address them.
2. Browse the menu
Each of our six Pennsylvania locations has an online menu where you can search and filter by product type, brand, cannabinoids in the product, and other helpful features. You can also scroll through the full menu and take note of products that seem appealing. Each of our online listings states the product’s THC or CBD content and its three dominant terpenes for easy analysis.
3. Speak with our pharmacists or wellness associates
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused by all the factors that go into the entourage effect and medical marijuana experience, you don’t have to go it alone. Our pharmacists and wellness associates are here to help you find the products that best suit your goals. They’ll recommend flower, vapes, ingestibles, concentrates, or something else with the right cannabinoid and terpene profiles and amounts to make the most of your wellness journey.
4. Try and try again
The first medical marijuana product you try won’t always achieve your goals, and that’s okay. It’s completely normal to try several products in hopes of finding one that works best for what you need. If this happens to you, just repeat all the steps you’ve already taken, and don’t be afraid to ask professionals for help. At Vytal, we’re here to guide you.
Harnessing the entourage effect with Vytal Options
Becoming a patient at Vytal Options gives you access to all kinds of Pennsylvania medical marijuana products, including ones with the cannabinoids and terpenes you need. You also get personalized consultations with our pharmacists and wellness associates to help you find the exact ingestible, flower strain, or concentrate that addresses your symptoms. With our expert guidance, establishing your medical marijuana routine is easier than ever before.
