Entourage effect

Entourage Effect

The Entourage Effect is a proposed mechanism by which compounds present in cannabis which are largely non-psychoactive by themselves modulate the overall psychoactive effects of the plant (primarily the high produced by THC).

Overview

The term was coined by Raphael Mechoulam, the Israeli organic chemist who discovered THC and CBD. He suggested that cannabis compounds such as CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids have a modulatory effect on THC, with the outcome of consumption depending on the balance achieved by the body.

Mechanism

The Entourage Effect is believed to occur when the many natural components within a plant interact together within the human body to produce a stronger influence than any one of those components used alone. It's a synergistic effect. The different compounds can amplify each other's chemistry, making the overall plant more effective in addressing unwanted symptoms or disease processes.

Research

While the Entourage Effect is a widely accepted theory, it is still a theory that requires more research. Some studies have found evidence that supports the Entourage Effect, while others have not. The difficulty in studying the Entourage Effect is due to the complexity of the many different compounds in cannabis and the ways they interact in the body.

Criticism

Critics of the Entourage Effect argue that most of the research supporting it is preclinical, meaning it was conducted in animals or in a laboratory setting, not in humans. They argue that more clinical trials are needed to fully understand the effects of the different cannabis compounds on the human body.

See also

• Cannabinoid
• Endocannabinoid system
• Medical cannabis