The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts

In short, the Entourage Effect is the theory that the Cannabis plant as a whole works together to create a desired therapeutic effect. This includes not only the cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, but also includes plant type (Sativa, Indica, Hybrid) as well as terpenes and other compounds and how they react when used together.

Raphael Mechoulam is a scientist who has done copious amounts of research in the field of Cannabis. In 1964, he became the first person to ever isolate THC by itself. There was a famous synthetic form of THC available by prescription named Marinol, used as treatment for patients who suffered chemotherapy, yet many doctors found Marinol a poor substitute for the real thing. Later research proved that all cannabinoids work simultaneously with one another in a therapeutic way, so that isolation of just THC had different effects as when grouped with other terpenes and cannabinoids.

To recognize the role these compounds perform, the term Entourage Effect was coined by S. Ben-Shabat in July 1998 Journal of European Pharmacology pages 23 – 31. It suggests terpenes and other compounds act as a modulator to allow our brains to absorb THC and CBD.

When people focus on Cannabis varieties solely by their THC percentage levels, they’re not taking into account the important role terpenes play in whole health. Terpenes are much more than just the taste, they are working with Cannabinoids to create a desired effect.

Investigation and research into other compounds such as fatty acids, ketones and ester and the roles that they play in the Entourage Effect has only just begun. Cannabis is a complex plant in which new compounds are being discovered and researched as the stigma continues to lift.

Access to medicinal cannabis isn’t challenging – MCDSA is here to assist you.