Truth is, it’s not just a buzzy-sounding word. And you’ll want to pay attention because it might be the one thing that makes all the difference in how you experience the benefits of CBD. Think of it as a holistic whole-plant approach: Instead of isolating one ingredient or using only one part of the plant, you’ll have several components interacting with the systems in your body and each other—for potentially enhanced, wider-reaching results. That’s the entourage effect in a nutshell. The most important compounds are the cannabinoids: specifically CBD, which usually comes from hemp; and its cousin THC, which usually comes from marijuana. The big difference between the two is that, unlike THC, CBD won’t get you high. Bottom line is that cannabinoids are king: They interact with our body by latching on to receptors across our endocannabinoid system3, which helps regulate appetite, sleep, pain, mood, and other processes that enable us to function smoothly from day to day. And the thing is, not all CBD products will give you that optimal entourage effect. In general, there are three major types of CBD products: The products in the Dr. Formulated line—which includes liquid drops that range from 10 to 50 mg of CBD and include specific formulas for wellness goals—contain a full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids found in the hemp plant for a potent entourage effect—with absolutely no THC. (It’s worth noting that products can legally be called THC-free with up to 0.3% THC—Garden of Life’s products are third-party tested to be truly THC-free.) And it goes without saying, but purity is incredibly important when it comes to CBD. Always seek out third-party tested and certified brands for CBD products, and check that they’re made using a clean extraction process (free from solvents and harsh chemicals). As a bio-accumulator, hemp pulls any and all toxins, like pesticides, for instance, from the soil where it grows and stores it in its plant matter—you get the picture. So, when you’re taking CBD oil or softgels, you know it’s the cleanest possible CBD—leave the rest to the entourage effect.
