The entourage effect is the idea that the many compounds in cannabis, including cannabinoids like THC and CBD plus terpenes and other minor compounds, work together to shape the overall experience, so the whole plant acts differently than any single compound alone.
The term was coined by researchers in the late 1990s, and it has become a popular explanation for why two products with the same THC percentage can feel different. It is also often used to market "full-spectrum" products that keep more of the plant's original compounds.
It is important to be honest about the evidence. Some studies support parts of the idea, such as CBD softening some of THC's effects, but other studies have not found that common terpenes change how THC acts at its receptors. The entourage effect is widely discussed, but not fully proven.
What is clearly true is that products differ in more than THC. Terpenes strongly affect aroma and flavor, and many people prefer products that taste and smell like the original plant. Full-spectrum products like live resin, live rosin and well-cured flower keep more of that profile than refined distillate.
If you notice differences between products, trust your own experience, take notes, and compare lab reports.