What is "The Entourage Effect" of Dog CBD?

In the world of hemp products for pets, it's extremely common to read about "the entourage effect" of full-spectrum hemp products. If you're short on time, this term generally refers to the idea that hemp retaining the full spectrum of its natural cannabinoid profile has an effect that's greater than the sum of its parts. 

Stripping certain aspects of the plant away, therefor, is believed to have a lower therapeutic benefit. We'll look into the entourage effect for dogs in greater detail below, digging into the research, the specific compounds in question, and the results that may be related to full-spectrum hemp compared to its broad spectrum & isolated variants. 

If you're curious about which type of CBD product to choose for your dog, you can learn more about the key types of CBD for dogs here.

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What is The Entourage Effect for Dogs?

The entourage effect was first explored in the 1998 European Journal of Pharmacology, which suggested that the entourage effect isn't just theoretical—it has actual basis in science.

This research found that "inactive compounds" in the body can engage with and enhance the effects of naturally occurring, lesser-known cannabinoids.

These "inactive compounds" are actually called endocannabinoid-related molecules. Endocannabinoids themselves are compounds produced naturally in the body. All mammals have endocannabinoid systems, which help to maintain homeostasis across various bodily systems.

These endocannabinoids differ from the phytocannabinoids (phyto means "plant") in hemp, but they can both engage with the endocannabinoid system due to their similar molecular makeup.

The endocannabinoid system consists of receptors that communicate via the passage of endocannabinoids, and hemp's phytocannabinoids fit seamlessly into this system.

There are more than 100 known cannabinoids naturally present in hemp, apart from CBD and THC. Each of these cannabinoids likely influences the endocannabinoid system in a unique way, contributing to a net positive effect that allows CBD—as well as the body’s own endocannabinoids—to function more effectively in helping maintain homeostasis.

So, the entourage effect is essentially the effect of the full "entourage" of cannabinoids in hemp, not just CBD, THC, or CBG.

In Summary:

Full-spectrum hemp can have a net positive effect beyond the direct effects of CBD due to the over 100 cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes present in the plant. 

These compounds support both endocannabinoids (already present in the body) and phytocannabinoids (that come from hemp) in the process of supporting calm, comfort, and overall wellbeing. 

What are The Alternatives to Full-Spectrum Hemp?

The alternatives to full-spectrum hemp oil for dogs are broad spectrum hemp oil and CBD isolate. Broad spectrum hemp oil strips THC from the extract, potentially shaving off other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in the process.

CBD isolates are pure CBD, consisting of cannabidiol only. These products undergo a multi-step extraction process to end up with isolated CBD. 

While these products can have benefits similar to full-spectrum products, the overall effects are likely to be diminished. If a dog is highly sensitive to plant compounds or has been recommended by a veterinarian to use CBD only, these are great options. 

In terms of holistic therapeutic value, however, full-spectrum hemp products tend to be the most effective for our canine companions. 

Conclusion

The entourage effect has been researched and suggests that full-spectrum hemp products may work more effectively to achieve therapeutic value for pets and humans. 

The presence of hemp's natural cannabinoid profile offers a result that is believed to be "more than the sum of its parts" due to the individual reactions between cannabinoids in the body and the plant. 

All of Lolahemp's CBD products contain full-spectrum hemp oil, vet-formulated to be safe and effective for pets.