Written by Shepherd King

The cannabis plant is mind-blowingly complex.

The whole plant is full of unique chemical compounds that give it its unique flavor, aroma, and side effects. These compounds have an amazing synergistic relationship, enhancing and balancing each other out as you enjoy your favorite cannabis products.

This relationship is what some cannabis experts call the entourage effect. It’s still a hypothetical concept at this point — more research is needed to confirm the claims.

Still, it’s worth knowing about the fascinating connection that all of the parts of the cannabis plant share.

Here’s everything you need to know about this effect, including examples, the evidence for and against it, and more.

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Table of Contents

• The Entourage Effect: The Basics

  • What are Cannabinoids?

• What are Cannabis Terpenes?

• Cannabis Terpenes and The Entourage Effect

• Changing The Side Effects of Cannabinoids

• Is The Entourage Effect Real?

• Evidence Of The Entourage Effect

• FAQs About The Entourage Effect

• Top-Tier Cannabis From The Mood Shop

The Entourage Effect: The Basics

Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know about this effect:

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis plant. To be more specific, these are cannabis phytochemicals known as phytocannabinoids.

Our bodies are also each equipped with an endocannabinoid system that features cannabinoid receptors that bond the central nervous system and phytocannabinoids when we consume cannabis.

At this point, we know of over 100 of these cannabis-derived compounds represented across different strains of cannabis, painting a complex picture of the potential of the cannabis plant.

Here are some of the most popular examples of the players in this symphony of botanical synergy:

• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis plants. It binds to the cannabinoid receptors in your brain, causing a high.

• CBD (Cannabidiol) isn’t psychoactive, but it’s known for calm-supporting side effects. CBD is featured alongside THC and other cannabinoids in many cannabis products.

• THCa (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) is an acidic form of THC that becomes more potent when heated.

• THCp (tetrahydrocannabiphorol)is an extremely potent cannabinoid that only occurs naturally in small amounts. Experts can create this compound by deriving it from THC.

• CBN (Cannabinol functions like a weaker form of THC that has some mild psychoactive potential.

• CBG (Cannabigerol) is a chemical precursor to both CBD and THC. It’s only found in small concentrations in the cannabis plant.

• CBC (Cannabichromene) is a minor cannabinoid that's an active ingredient in many modern products.

• THCv is another minor cannabinoid known for a range of side effects.

These are just a few of the different compounds that you’ll find in products in the Mood Shop. We carefully combine these cannabinoids to create powerful effects and balance out your high.

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What Are Cannabis Terpenes?

Terpenes are compounds that are naturally present in the cannabis plant. We currently know about over 200 terpenes found in different strains of cannabis, each with its own unique flavor and smell.

These plant extracts give cannabis its distinct taste and aroma, and they also work in tandem with cannabinoids to enhance your cannabis experience.

They don’t have any psychoactive influence, but they are thought to modulate the effects of cannabinoids like THC.

Cannabis terpenes include:

• Pinene: With a woody, fresh smell, pinene is a key part of the terpene profile of many cannabis sativa strains.

• Myrcene: This terpene has an earthy, musky smell and intense flavor. In addition to its impact on cannabis, it is also the main hydrocarbon that produces beer’s distinct hoppy smell.

• Limonene: Found in both cannabis and citrus fruits, limonene is thought to be a natural mood booster. It has a scent that’s reminiscent of pine and turpentine.

• Caryophyllene: This terpene has a direct impact on the CB2 cannabinoid receptor in your endocannabinoid system, making it more similar to a cannabinoid than most terpenes. It has a spicy, peppery scent.

Terpenes are subtle, and if you’re just starting to explore the world of cannabis for the first time, you may not notice their impact on your experience.

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Cannabinoids and Terpenes: The Entourage Effect

Cannabinoids and terpenes work together in an amazing form of natural synergy.

Through the entourage effect, terpenes influence the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids, making them cannabinoids stronger and weaker in some cases.

Here are a few examples of this effect in action:

Changing the Effects of Cannabinoids

Terpenes can enhance the effects of certain cannabinoids. One key example of this relationship is the link between myrcene and THC.

Myrcene can increase THC in a way that could lead to a more soothing, relaxing high. This terpene can be found in both cannabis indica and cannabis sativa strains, and it can make your smoking experience more chill and peaceful than ever.

Terpenes can also soften or limit the effects of certain cannabinoids.

For example, limonene is thought to make cannabis use more relaxing by suppressing some of the more stimulating side effects of THC.

Remember, we're not a wellness resource, and this doesn't mean that heightened limonene will necessarily save you from dry mouth or any other potential responses to cannabis.

Added Benefits From Terpenes

In addition to working in harmony with cannabinoids, terpenes coupled with well-produced products can enhance your cannabis consumption experience in unique ways.

Here are some examples of entourage effects shaped by terpenes:

• When combined with THC or CBD, the terpene beta-caryophyllene can increase the beneficial effects of cannabis properties. Different concentrations of cannabinoids and other variables will always play a role, and this is more of a generality.

• The natural lavender scent of linalool combines with CBD for an especially relaxing high.

• The calming effects of THC and CBD can also work with terpenes to make for an incredible cannabis consumption experience that's more dynamic than what you might find with a product built around a single compound.

Like the overall effects of terpenes on cannabis, these interactions between compounds can be very subtle. Don’t be surprised if you don’t notice the effect at first. Even if you don’t feel it, terpenes and cannabinoids are hard at work.

Is the Entourage Effect Real?

It’s worth mentioning that we don’t have a full understanding of the entourage effect yet. We do know that cannabinoids and terpenes interact with unique results, but the jury is still out on whether the relationship between these compounds is as noteworthy as some folks claim.

Evidence for the Entourage Effect

One of the biggest pieces of evidence that we have for the entourage effect comes from the cannabis community.

Some folks report that using full-spectrum products, which include many different terpenes and cannabinoids, leads to a more powerful and relaxing high. However, we have to take these claims with a grain of salt since everyone has their own unique perception of how it feels to be high.

Evidence Against the Entourage Effect

At this point, the strongest evidence against the entourage effect is the low volume of clinical trials and formal studies. Based on the current mixture of research, we don't know enough yet.

Plus, some cannabis researchers point out that the effects labeled as examples of the entourage effect might just be cannabinoids and terpenes doing what they naturally do. These researchers argue that just because these effects can coexist doesn’t verify the entourage effect.

Overall, the entourage effect theory is definitely compelling, but more research will be needed to set it in stone.

FAQs About the Entourage Effect

Q: Are cannabinoids legal?

A: The Farm Bill changed the way that cannabis products are regulated in the US. Under this bill, cannabis products (which contain cannabinoids) are labeled hemp as long as they include no more than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

Based on the Farm Bill’s regulations, you can order hemp products online and have them delivered to many parts of the US. Before you order, make sure you check your state’s specific laws related to cannabis.

Q: Can you taste cannabinoids?

A: Cannabinoids don’t have their own distinct flavors and aromas in the same ways that terpenes do. When you use cannabis products, what you taste and smell are the terpenes.

Q: What If I can’t taste the terpenes?

A: You might not notice the flavor and scent of terpenes at first. As your palate for cannabis develops, you should start to sense the difference between different strains based on their terpene content.

Q: Which cannabis products have the most terpenes?

A: Cannabis concentrates — i.e., cannabis extract — have the most terpene and cannabinoid content of all of the different products out there outside of flower.

Whole plant extract gets separated from the rest of the plant material, leaving the most powerful and flavorful stuff behind.

There are plenty of different types of cannabinoids to try, including live resin, hash, badders, and more. If you want intense flavors and aromas from your cannabis, concentrates are the way to go.

Q: What do scientists think of the entourage effect?

A: The scientific community is a bit polarized when it comes to the entourage effect.

Some researchers argue that there is strong evidence for cannabinoids and terpenes interacting to enhance or mitigate each other’s side effects.

The specific use cases and theories vary widely depending on the compounds present in a given case, the levels of specific cannabinoids like THC and CBD, cannabinoid ratios, how these compounds are being processed, psychoactive side effects, and the specific nature of the cannabis users.

Top-Tier Cannabis From the Mood Shop

If you want to experience the power of terpenes and cannabinoids via natural products and certain strains that stoners love, the Mood Shop has you covered.

Here are some of our recommendations for cannabis newbies and seasoned vets alike:

Hero Dose Rapid Onset THC Gummies

With a delicious sour watermelon flavor and a powerful combination of D9 and D8 THC, these fast-acting gummies are the perfect introduction to Mood.

You can expect to feel the side effects of one of these yummy edibles in less than 15 minutes, which makes them one of our fastest-acting products.

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Tropicana Cherry Cookies

This cannabis sativa hybrid can help you feel social, energized, and ready for whatever the day holds. At 26.06% THCa, it stands out among other strains as a great early-in-the-day option.

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15mg D9 THC Gummies

These gummies come in multiple delicious flavors, and they’re perfect for a powerful, balanced high. A combination of THC and CBD that supports easy evenings and chilling hard. The side effects can set in as little as 45 minutes and last up to six hours.

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Discover more cannabis products in the Mood Shop.

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