When most folks think of cannabis, whether it’s recreational or medical, their obvious first thought is about the THC content. After all, that’s the most important thing, right? It’s the key to relieving painful symptoms of a variety of qualifying conditions, it’s what helps put you to sleep and chill out if it’s an indica, and it’s usually what dictates the price of the stuff you’re buying. Higher THC means a higher price tag in pretty much every case. But what if we told you there was more to an effective medical cannabis product than just the THC percentage on the label, especially when it comes to medical cannabis?
Thankfully, we here at FadeMD are here to give you a deeper understanding of your medicine/ Along with our ability to quickly and easily link you with certified medical cannabis doctors in your state and help you get a medical card of your own, we’re here to break down the long-standing misconceptions, myths, and misunderstandings of cannabis and how it works.
That’s why in this article, we’re going to bust the long-standing myth that THC content is the only thing that matters when it comes to cannabis by talking about the entourage effect. We’ll touch on what exactly it is, how and why it works the way it does, and use science to show definitively whether it’s the real deal. So with all of that in mind, let’s get right into it!
What Exactly is the Entourage Effect?
As its name would suggest, the entourage effect when it comes to cannabis is all about teamwork. And that’s a good thing because teamwork is known to make the dream work. So with that in mind, what exactly is it?
The basic idea is that, just like peanut butter and jelly, cannabinoids are often better when paired together! So if it works for sandwiches, why wouldn’t it work for your medical cannabis products of choice? Well, simply put, it does!
The term entourage effect refers to the many ways that the chemical compounds of cannabis work together to get the job done as effectively as possible. That teamwork primarily comes between cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, all of which have different effects, flavors, and the ability to pair up/work with one another. Since there are more than 150 known cannabinoids, more than 200 terpene options, and several different flavinoids, it would be impossible to cover them all here.
Instead, let’s narrow things down a bit and talk about the entourage effect when it comes to the two primary cannabinoids that pretty much everyone knows and loves, THC and CBD!
THC, CBD, and the Entourage Effect
So how do these two major cannabinoids play off of one another once ingested? Well, it’s actually a bit more complicated than it would appear to be on the surface! For starters, research has shown that THC alone often isn’t as effective as when combined with CBD. We know, that seems crazy, right? After all, top-shelf expensive cannabis products are often the ones with the highest THC levels, which means that stuff must be the best option from the dispensary, right? Well, not so much.
Research has repeatedly shown that THC is better at treating pain, anxiety, and a host of other issues when combined with CBD and other cannabinoids/terpenes. At this point, there’s no argument there anymore. The real debate now is just about working out which ratio of THC to CBD is enough for the symptoms and issues you’re dealing with.
For example, crazy high THC percentages don’t mean that the product you’re getting is going to be better than a more balanced 1:1 product. In fact, recent studies show that more than 90 percent of cannabis products available in medical dispensaries have more than enough THC to effectively treat symptoms, which means you can save money by purchasing more balanced 1:1 products rather than splashing the cash on high THC products like concentrates or top-tier cannabis flower.
Another factor to consider is your reason for treatment. Unlike recreational users, medical cannabis patients are getting products for more than just the sake of getting high. Medical patients often have symptoms to treat, with underlying issues and other medications to consider. So for them, the experience of cannabis use isn’t just about getting sky-high on THC-rich products. It’s about getting a product with the right traits and cannabinoids, terpene, and flavonoid profiles to relieve their symptoms.
That’s why we highly recommend more balanced 1:1 style strains and products for medical users. You’ll pay less money and get more out of them, the definition of a win-win!
The Final Verdict
So what’s the final verdict here? Is the entourage effect just some myth that’s been passed down to get folks less invested in the high THC strains? Or is it a real thing that can be used to your advantage as a medical patient to get the most out of your medicine?
We think we’ve laid out a pretty clear case for which side of the fence we’re leaning. We also have science on our side, which is always a major plus. Here’s what we do know for sure. Isolated THC alone isn’t as effective as when it’s paired up with other cannabinoids, patients get a wider range of relief and effects from it, and more balanced strains/products are documented to be more effective. If that’s not proof that the entourage effect is real and meaningful, then we don’t know what else would be!
Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this article is for informational purposes only. No material from this article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
