If you are looking for in-depth info about terpenes and the entourage effect, then you have come to the right place.

Take a look at what terpenes basically are, and why they are becoming the primary ingredient in many non-psychoactive drugs.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are fragrant oils that have been used in perfume making for a very long time. They also play an important role in aromatherapy and the winemaking industry due to the effect they have on the nervous system. However, with the growth of the cannabis industry, terpenes are now viewed under a completely different light.

Terpenes basically refer to a large group of volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons that are commonly found in the essential oils of various plants. These are the compounds that give cannabis and many other types of plants, such as conifer and citrus trees, their unique aromatic and flavor profiles.

What is the Entourage Effect?

The entourage effect is a synergetic effect resulting from the combination of different plant-based compounds. In the case of cannabis, the terpenes found in the plant combine with various other chemical compounds present naturally to enhance (or sometimes, mitigate) the effects of cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Put simply, the entourage effect means that the overall effect of the combined compounds is stronger and more powerful than the effect of the individual compounds used alone.

The interesting thing to note is that the entourage effect does not just result from terpenes found in cannabis only. Consuming any other plant, or even fruit for that matter, can lead to the entourage effect if it is mixed with cannabinoids in your body in any other way.

For instance, if you smoke cannabis after eating a mango, the terpenes from the fruit will react with terpenes in cannabis. As a result, you might experience a different level of high, or feel aroused or sedated depending on their combined effect on the mind.

The entourage effect is an important phenomenon because cannabis, by its very nature is ‘polypharmaceutical’ – its effectiveness in treating health issues or getting the desired results majorly depends on the interaction between its multiple components.

Terpenes and the entourage effect have become a topic of interest for scientists and drug manufacturers alike. Hopefully, this article would have given you sufficient information on what you need to know about their uses.