What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and the Entourage Effect

cannabis plant with sunset in background

Cannabinoids are a fascinating thing. These compounds, such as CBD, that are found in hemp plants can assist us in achieving better sleep, mood, physical comfort, and overall wellness. But the way this is done is through one special system: the endocannabinoid system. The way the endocannabinoid system functions is extremely complex, featuring receptors that receive both cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds, such as terpenes. Different combinations of those cannabis compounds produce different effects in what is known as the entourage effect. 

In this blog post, we’ll try to keep things as simple as possible. We’ll have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) explanation for dummies, explore what the entourage effect is, and learn how these two can interact and what they can teach us about achieving the best possible wellness benefits from CBD products.

What is the Endocannabinoid System? 

An explanation of the endocannabinoid system for dummies can still be tricky to understand. In fact, even experts are still trying to fully understand how it works!

The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell-signaling system. It’s present in everyone’s body, even if you don’t use cannabis. The ECS plays a role in regulating a broad range of processes and functions in the body, and research has shown that these may include mood, sleep, appetite, memory, metabolism, chronic pain, learning and memory, stress, and more. 

Before we discover what the entourage effect is, and how it affects the ECS, it’s important to remember that the ECS is extremely complex, and researchers still don’t know every detail of how it works or what all of its functions are. 

How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work? 

Experts still aren’t entirely sure what the purpose of the ECS is. However, by helping to regulate the many bodily functions we mentioned above, the ECS plays a role in keeping the internal processes in your body stable and under control. This ideal state of internal stability is called homeostasis. If your body experiences an injury or illness, your ECS will assist your body’s recovery. 

Here’s the Endocannabinoid System for Dummies explanation on the three major parts of the ECS: 

  • Endocannabinoids are molecules that your body creates by itself, as needed. These endocannabinoids help to regulate your internal processes and will come into play when we learn what the entourage effect is. 
  • Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout your body, and endocannabinoids will bind to these receptors to alert the ECS that it needs to kick into gear. 
  • Enzymes work to break down endocannabinoids after they have served their function within your body. 

How Does CBD Interact With the ECS? 

Cannabinoids are similar in behavior to the natural endocannabinoids that our bodies produce. CBD is a major cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, and experts believe that it works in our bodies by preventing endocannabinoids from being broken down. If broken down slower, endocannabinoids are able to have a stronger and longer-lasting effect on our bodies 

But, researchers have discovered that there may be a relationship between the combination of cannabis compounds and how the endocannabinoid system functions: the entourage effect. So what is the entourage effect? 

What is the Entourage Effect? 

Along with over 120 different cannabinoids, hemp plants contain hundreds of distinct terpenes. Terpenes are naturally-occurring compounds that are found in all plants, giving them their unique tastes and smells — and when consumed alongside cannabinoids, research has shown they can stimulate the endocannabinoid system more effectively! 

This new information on what the entourage effect is shows us that utilizing CBD products that contain a full spectrum of the natural cannabinoids and natural terpenes found in the hemp plant is the best way to ensure you get the full effects and benefits of CBD. 

Choose Sound CBD for Premium CBD Products

Now that you’ve discovered what the entourage effect is, and got our rundown of the endocannabinoid system for dummies, it’s time to boost your ECS. At Sound CBD, we only offer full spectrum CBD products, carefully crafted using hemp extracts that contain all cannabinoids and terpenes. No matter which of our oils or creams you choose, you’ll enjoy the full benefits CBD can bring to your life. Thank you, entourage effect!

Shop our range of premium CBD products, offered in a range of product types and potencies to deliver convenient, total-body wellness benefits whenever you need them. Choose from 1000mg2000mg, and 3000mg peppermint CBD oils, or 500mg CBD creams in Calming Menthol or Lavender Eucalyptus, and experience wellness benefits for your mind, body, and spirit. Equipped with this deepened understanding of what the entourage effect is, you’re ready to experience its incredible wellness benefits for yourself through full-spectrum CBD products. 

Be Safe. Be Sound. 

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