Given how complex the human body, in that all systems and organs work collectively. Similarly, this can be seen in the plant world in the context of compounds working synergistically together.
This is where the entourage effect comes into play, it speaks to multiple compounds in the cannabis matrix, and can act together synergistically amplifying each other’s properties. This creates a multiplicative effect meaning that when you add two compounds together, they will multiply each other’s individual effects. Herein lies the power of the cannabis plant, and why it has such high therapeutic potential for so many different ailments because of the diversity of the compounds.
There are several different formulations of CBD varieties including CBD isolate, distillate, broad spectrum and full spectrum. Often a preference in formulation is in the broad spectrum or full spectrum, because it generally means the extraction methodology is focused on preserving most of the diverse secondary compounds, allowing the interplay between them. When it comes to THC and CBD, you only need a tiny bit of THC to improve CBD’s ability to interact with the body, specifically in the endocannabinoid receptor system.
This is what whole-plant medicine is, where herbalists excel at matching holistic, plant-based treatments to a variety of ailments as plant medical substances may be more effective in their whole and natural state. The entourage effect is kind of like where partnerships are formed between two people, and their abilities are combined to achieve the unimaginable.
Terpenes are also large organic compounds produced by a variety plants. They can assist the body to respond to cannabinoids and prime our receptors for cannabinoids to bind to endocannabinoid receptors. Some broad spectrum and full spectrum products combine other supportive botanical's such as turmeric, ashwagandha and medicinal mushrooms for therapeutic action. All of which have anti-inflammatory properties which may help to reduce inflammation in the body.