hand holding hemp flower

What is the Entourage Effect? Understanding the Entourage Effect of CBD Hemp Flower

The entourage effect isn’t just one distinct trait that singlehandedly improves the potency of hemp flower, rather it is a dynamic assembly of compounds and biological processes working in tandem to create a multi-dimensional, rich sensory experience. 

Plant geneticists alchemize strains by cross-breeding diverse hemp flower cultivars for their desired cannabinoid properties. For such an intricate cross-breeding process, it’s a mark of a product’s quality when consumers can consistently depend on their go-to strains to give them their desired experience. Appreciating the synergy of its distinctive components is part of what makes smoking hemp flower an inviting ritual.

Cannabinoids and Terpenes 

In hemp-derived CBD, the cannabinoid THC is only present in trace amounts, allowing CBD’s non-psychoactive and mellowing traits to shine through without heavy sedation. Beyond its relaxation purposes, cannabinoid research suggests that CBD may alleviate chronic health issues like insomnia, anxiety, and chronic high-inflammatory illnesses.

CBD contains various types of cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBDA that are part of the careful balancing act to attain the right qualities of sativa and indica strains. The ratio of CBD compounds can be adjusted by growers to attain a sativa or indica-dominant headspace, or to influence hemp flower’s depth in color, flavor, or scent with its terpenes.

CBD Strains 

Sativa strains are popular for daily use because they help keep a sharp mind when the day gets dull. Sativa options are mood-boosting and encourage people to engage in their creative hobbies or keep things engaging while performing their daily tasks.


Indica strains are more laid-back in contrast to the burst of energy of sativa cultivars. Because of their soothing sedative traits, indica hemp flower strains are often saved for peaceful nighttime activities. They’re often used before bed or for a cozy day in doing low-impact activities like enjoying your favorite snacks with a good show. 

CBD buds are chosen for their balance of gently sedating and energizing characteristics. A cultivar’s classic traits set the foundation for the entourage effect in CBD to build off of.

Terpenes

Terpenes are responsible for the aromatic profile of a cultivar–its taste and scent, but may also have added benefits previously thought only to belong to cannabinoids like CBD. Terpenes, as far as olfactory flavor profiles go, can range from citrus, earthy, sweet, tropical, vanilla, coffee, skunky, and gassy. A good rule of thumb is that smell can often indicate taste, and hemp flower consumers can expect a cohesive flavor infusion throughout.

Moving beyond the senses, findings suggest that terpenes may have therapeutic and health-promoting qualities much like their cannabinoid cohorts. Because terpenes are responsible for the flavoring of hemp flower strains, inhaling cannabis allows you to indulge in the full sensory journey, a beloved part of the smoking and vaporizing social ritual. 

Though terpenes can be found in other cannabis product types like edibles or tinctures, hemp flower showcases golden, frosty trichomes rich with terpenes. The terpenes extracted during the cannabinoid cultivation process interact with CBD hemp flower’s benefits and effects, making it possible to produce unique strains with your wellness and mood in mind. 

Other Factors Contributing to the CBD Entourage Effect

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that interact with your endocannabinoid system’s chemical receptors, delivering compounds that can be neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. These compounds are found in a variety of plants and, in hemp flower, they are responsible for producing the unique colors and flavors of the buds, in addition to a range of therapeutic benefits.

The Endocannabinoid System

The encodannabinoid system (ECS) is essential for maintaining balance in hunger, mood, pain reception, and immune system response. Your endocannabinoid system (ECS) receives CBD differently than THC and does not bind to the ECS the way THC does, rather it inhibits certain enzymes that increase your body’s ability to produce its own endocannabinoids without a head high.

The Hemp Flower Cultivation Process

The cultivation and harvest process is a major influence from seed to table. The cultivation and harvesting process, as well as its packaging and at-home handling, will dictate the potential and shelf life of the entourage effect. Its slow-curing and hand-trimmed harvest help to lock in its terpene profile and delicate trichomes. The way buds are packaged will affect the rate of a product’s efficacy loss, so keeping hemp flower in its ideal condition is important. Hemp flower sustains its terpenes best when kept inside cool, dark, air-tight packaging.

Personalize Your Own Entourage Effect 

a bearded man sitting on couch exhaling a cloud of smoke

Cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and your own body play a big part in the entourage symphony. The synergistic potential of terpenes and CBD’s hemp flower effects are still being uncovered. In the meantime, you can invoke your own entourage effect to maximize the effect of your cannabis. 

The mood-boosting traits of terpenes like Beta-caryophyllene can be encouraged by watching funny movies or socializing with friends while partaking in uplifting flower strains. You can light some warm vanilla-scented candles and curl up with your favorite book while enjoying a linalool terpene-rich Indica strain. You can take a warm oatmeal bath while gaining from the anti-inflammatory, physically soothing properties of CBD. 


You can increase the powerful holistic benefits of CBD by creating a routine that goes hand-in-hand with your daily smoking. The entourage effect in CBD doesn’t stop at the chemical level, it is also the ambiance you bring with you while you take a moment to inhale and exhale relief.