If you’re familiar with cannabis and hemp, you’ve likely heard of cannabinoids and terpenes—often called their “active ingredients.” But you might not know that these compounds don’t work in isolation. Their potential synergy is known as the entourage effect, and it’s believed to play a key role in cannabis’s reported benefits.
In this guide, we’ll dive deeper into how the entourage effect functions, what you can expect from the experience, and whether similar synergies are found in other plants and natural substances. Get ready to explore the fascinating world of plant compounds and their ability to work together for a greater impact.
What Is the Entourage Effect?
So, what exactly is the entourage effect? While the science is still evolving, researchers believe this phenomenon represents one of the most influential interactions between cannabis and the human body. It suggests that the combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds in cannabis works together to create a more potent and balanced effect than any single compound could achieve on its own.
Humans have known about cannabis for centuries, but the science behind its compounds remained a mystery until relatively recently. It wasn’t until 1960 that Israeli researcher Dr. Raphael Mechoulam identified the chemical structures of THC and CBD, paving the way for all the groundbreaking cannabis research that followed.
But his discoveries didn’t stop there. As Dr. Mechoulam and his colleague, Dr. Shimon Ben-Shabat, continued their work, they suspected that cannabis compounds weren’t just acting independently—they were working together in synergy. Today, a growing body of research supports this theory, known as the entourage effect, suggesting that cannabinoids and terpenes in the cannabis plant create effects far greater than the sum of their parts.
The Entourage Effect in Cannabis
To fully understand how these compounds work together, we first need to break down what they are—and there are hundreds of them working behind the scenes.
How Many Cannabinoids Are There?
Cannabinoids aren’t unique to cannabis—echinacea, cacao, and black pepper all contain small amounts—but cannabis wouldn’t be cannabis without the presence of THC, the most abundant cannabinoid and the one associated with its delightful psychoactive effect.
Along with CBD, CBC, CBG, CBN, among others, researchers have identified 144 cannabinoids thus far, and it’s entirely possible that more will be discovered or synthesized in a lab in the near future. But no matter which cannabinoids we’re talking about, they all interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a vital regulatory network that helps control such crucial functions as pain response, memory, sleep, and more.
While researchers are still decoding the intricacies of the ECS and its cannabinoid receptors, we know that it is one of the body’s key signaling networks. Cannabinoids, in turn, appear uniquely suited to interact with this system, influencing a wide range of effects and potential benefits.
Learn more about Urb’s Fleet of Cannabinoids.
How Many Terpenes Are There?
Like cannabinoids, terpenes aren’t exclusive to cannabis. These essential oils are believed to constitute the largest and most diverse group of compounds in the natural world, as they are found in everything from pine trees to oranges to marine corals and sponges. They play a big part in attracting pollinators, repelling insectile and fungal pests, and otherwise protecting and serving their hosts.
Though it’s believed that there may be as many as 20,000 terpenes in nature, thus far, scientists have isolated over 150 terpenes in cannabis. These aromatic compounds do more than just give cannabis its distinct scent—they also play a key role in shaping its effects, contributing to sensations of calm, energy, and other potential benefits.
These are just a few reasons we carefully select the specific terpenes found in our flower, vapes and edibles—all meticulously crafted to deliver targeted effects and outcomes. For example:
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Linalool: Featured in our Euphoria Collection, linalool may promote deeper, more restorative sleep and reduce anxiety without impairing motor skills.
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Caryophyllene: Found in our Clarity Collection, caryophyllene shows strong potential as a calming and anti-anxiety agent.
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Myrcene: A valuable addition to our Rest Collection, myrcene may impart a pain-relieving effect and has been shown to act as a sedative.
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Limonene: Associated with mood elevation and stress relief, limonene is a star terpene in our Energy Collection and often contributes to a bright, citrusy aroma in many sativa strains
Thanks to the entourage effect, these terpenes aren’t acting alone. While many terpenes interact with our olfactory glands and other organs, research suggests that cannabinoids and terpenes influence each other in fascinating and complex ways.
Learn more about Urb’s Terpeneverse.
What Does the Entourage Effect Feel Like?
First things first: The entourage effect doesn’t impart a specific feeling. Given how many cannabinoids and terpenes there are in cannabis, there’s nearly an infinite number of possible combinations between them, so the full extent of the entourage effect and how it impacts the subjective experience of cannabis is a very individual experience.
For example, when it comes to cannabinoid-to-cannabinoid interactions, some research suggests that cannabis strains and products that contain both CBD and THC may impart stronger pain-fighting and other beneficial effects. However, other studies dispute this assumption, suggesting that the presence of CBD does not affect the experience of THC. As for other cannabinoids, some studies have found potential medical uses of cannabinoids, determining that CBD and CBG may modulate THC’s anticancer effects.
But what about cannabinoids and terpenes? Regarding the entourage effect, terpenes might just be as big a deal as cannabinoids. One study published in 2011 suggests that the terpene pinene interacts with THC to potentially help counteract the cannabinoid’s negative impact on short-term memory. The pain-relieving effects of many terpenes have also been found to mimic those of cannabinoids.
While there isn’t a single defined “entourage effect feeling,” the key takeaway is that the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes plays a crucial—and often overlooked—role in shaping our overall cannabis experience.
The Entourage Effect Outside Cannabis
Of course, terpenes aren’t just limited to cannabis–and nor is the entourage effect. We leaned on the power of the entourage effect when we created our soon-to-be-launched Trippin’ Gummies, a magical edible that might just change how you think about mushroom gummies.
Terpenes are actually the largest group of anti-inflammatory compounds present in mushrooms, which is why we’ve included Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps extracts in our formulation. These trippy gummies are also fueled by four exotic botanicals: kanna, yohimbe, mucuna pruriens, and huperzia serrata. Add to that an in-flight support crew of six other adaptogenic and psychotropic botanicals, like citicolene, L-Theanine, and 5-HTP, and you’ll see why we’ve hand selected these magical plant compounds to make your next trip a new and exciting adventure.
Each of these botanicals contribute active ingredients that work together seamlessly to enhance your overall experience—it’s a powerful reminder of how nature’s creations often work best in harmony. Our innovative formulation is dialed in to bring you a euphoric experience that heightens your sensory perception while supporting mental clarity and smooth sailing.
Explore the Synergistic Power of Plants with Urb
While the entourage effect is still debated by some, current research is increasingly supporting the idea—even if we don’t yet fully understand its exact mechanisms. What’s less debatable is that the interactions between the hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis may lead to more robust and beneficial effects than any single compound on its own.
As more research unfolds, we’ll be excited to share the latest findings with you. In the meantime, if you’re curious about how these plant compounds may help support your health, wellness, and relaxation journey, explore our guide to the wide world of cannabinoids or explore the Urb terpeneverse to learn more.
To truly experience the entourage effect and see how cannabinoids and terpenes interact with your unique body, explore our fleet of products designed to help you fly high.
From high-quality flower to delicious edibles, vape pens, tinctures, and more, each one features carefully crafted blends of these potent cannabis compounds. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, mental clarity, or an energy boost, our products are designed to provide a tailored experience that maximizes the natural synergy of cannabinoids and terpenes.
