CBD Companies That Sell “Full-Spectrum” CBD Products Claim Their Product is Better Because of an “Entourage Effect.” But is it true?
The words “Entourage Effect” and “Full-Spectrum” get bounced around a lot by CBD companies promoting their products.
But, what really is the “Entourage Effect, ” and is the Entourage Effect Real? Let’s take a prescriptive look behind the hype and do some investigating.
Original “Entourage Effect Studies”
The original phrase “entourage effect” was first associated with cannabis in 1998 by a group of researchers at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, including “the father of cannabis research,” Dr. Raphael Mechoulam.
More recently, the phrase has been popularized in Dr. Ethan Russo’s 2011 paper Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effects, where he investigated the interactions between THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids and terpenes.
The results of Russo’s Study? “Good evidence shows that secondary compounds in cannabis may enhance the beneficial effects of THC” as well as reduce THC’s unwelcome side effects.
In Summary – Your THC high is better when CBD is involved. This has nothing to do with CBD/CBD Interactions.
“Entourage Effect” studies, research & publications are based on THC & CBD interactions – not on CBD interactions with other cannabinoid compounds in the hemp plant.
If this is the case, why are CBD companies using the term Entourage Effect? Are there new scientific claims of a CBD-only Entourage Effect?
Current CBD Marketing Claims of “Entourage Effect”
The basic theory behind the entourage effect promoted by many CBD companies is that combining multiple cannabinoids with terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and other plant materials, boosts the therapeutic effects of the CBD.
There have been a variety of different studies into the entourage effect and its potential, but there have been no conclusive studies of a CBD-only Entourage Effect.
As mentioned, the big problem with CBD companies claiming “entourage effect” is that all the studies so far have focused on two cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and how they interact together.
These studies haven’t found any link to the entourage effect unless high levels of both THC and CBD are present together.
Of course, all CBD products available legally across the United States must contain no more than 0.3% THC – which of course no one would consider a “High Level.”
In this study, researchers looked at whether or not CBD could counteract some of the negative side effects associated with THC.
The Scientists concluded that CBD could safely counteract some of the negative side-effects associated with THC, but further clinical studies were required.
Why Do Some CBD Companies Promote the Entourage Effect?
There are three main types of CBD products that you’re going to encounter when you start investigating CBD. The three types are:
Pure CBD Isolate – These are CBD products that are made using CBD isolate. During the manufacturing process, all other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and plant materials are filtered out, leaving only pure CBD. CBD isolate products can be purchased as straight CBD isolate or as an ingredient in oils, tinctures, balms, creams, and vape liquids.
Full-Spectrum CBD – Full spectrum CBD products contain other cannabinoids, including THC, essential oils, terpenes, flavonoids, and other plant material.
Broad-Spectrum CBD – Broad-spectrum CBD products are relatively new. Broad-spectrum CBD products are similar to the full spectrum but have had the THC stripped from them during the manufacturing process.
Many CBD companies try to sell full-spectrum CBD products as a better alternative to Pure CBD isolate. Why? Maybe because they think Full Spectrum is better, maybe because Full Spectrum is a lot cheaper to produce.
Unfortunately with the internet, it’s easy to pick and choose data when you’re looking to try and push a product – but you won’t find a single study about a CBD-only Entourage Effect.
The most challenging & expensive CBD product to produce is Pure CBD Isolate. Isolates require additional processing and manufacturing that full-spectrum CBD products don’t need, making Pure CBD Isolate far more expensive to make. Stirling focuses on our quality to make the best CBD for our customers.
If Pure CBD Isolate is harder & more expensive to make, why go through the process? Because isolates have the science, not the hype behind it.
What About “Full Plant Nutrients” or “Whole Food Benefits” Claimed by CBD Companies?
Stirling believes in “Full Plant Nutrients” and “Whole Food Benefits”…for things that Humans eat. Humans never ate Hemp. We don’t need all the nutrients of the hemp plant, just the Pure CBD from the Hemp.
Similarly, Humans are never at Willow Trees. We don’t need all the nutrients of the Willow Tree, just the aspirin compound the Willow Tree makes.
Humans have always found beneficial parts of plants and animals that we have used for medicines, without eating the entire plant. So – Let’s Save the “Whole Plant Nutrients” for things people eat.
More Studies Doubting the Entourage Effect
Recent FDA Actions & Governing Bodies Chose Pure CBD Isolate Over “Full Spectrum”
So far, the World Health Organization, the US Anti-Doping Agency, and even Big Pharma have chosen Pure CBD Isolate over “Full Spectrum.”
Super Pure CBD Isolate can be used by U.S. Olympic Athletes, and the WHO has come out indicating that Pure CBD is safe & effective.
The FDA approved a CBD drug made with CBD Isolate for patient use. It has been shown to have amazing results.
This medicine could have been made with Full Spectrum, High THC, Different ranges of cannabinoids, but they chose CBD Isolate as the best solution.
This FDA-approved drug is used to treat severe physical effects and has been proven to reduce the severity and frequency of those effects – especially in younger patients.
CBD Science, and Studies, Say Pure CBD Isolate is Better Than Full Spectrum.
Much more research needs to be conducted before claims of the positive effects of the entourage effect can be made regarding CBD products and terpenes. Early indications show there is none, but the research continues.
While there have been some effects studied regarding the interaction between THC and CBD, these did not include CBD and terpenes.
If you have any questions about any of the CBD isolate products available or about CBD in general, then please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
