When we purchase a cannabis product, we often think about CBD and THC as an either/or choice—CBD for everyday wellness and THC for when we want an intoxicating experience. However, just because a certain strain has a high CBD percentage doesn’t necessarily mean that it can’t have a comparable amount of THC.
Is there any benefit to using cannabis products with both CBD and THC present, and if so, what’s the best THC CBD ratio available? Keep reading to find out more.
What Is THC?
The cannabis plant is chock full of various psychoactive and potentially therapeutic substances, including a class of compounds known as cannabinoids. There are dozens of different cannabinoids out there, but the two most well-known and abundant are THC and CBD.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is most known for the intoxicating effects it produces when consumed. The infamous high we all associate with marijuana use comes directly from THC molecules interacting with our brain and nervous system.
What Is CBD?
Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t produce any intoxicating effects. However, we still consider CBD psychoactive even though it doesn’t get users high because it still impacts the brain and nervous system while affecting overall mood.
Even though consuming CBD won’t get you stoned, the compound does have several potential health benefits. These include:
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Anti-seizure effects
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Anti-inflammatory properties
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Antioxidative properties
Much of our current CBD research is still in its infancy, and we require more clinical trials to confirm CBD’s true efficacy as a medicinal agent. That being said, the studies we already have are incredibly promising.
How Cannabinoids Impact The Human Body
When we consume cannabinoids, they affect us in specific ways. Inside all of our bodies is a complex cell-signaling system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The endocannabinoid system uses neurotransmitters to send messages to neurotransmitter receptors called endocannabinoid receptors to assist in maintaining homeostasis.
Essentially, the endocannabinoid system keeps us balanced. The ECS partially regulates several life functions, including memory, mood, and appetite. When cannabinoids enter our bloodstream, they interact with the endocannabinoid receptors that comprise the ECS, affecting the same functions which the ECS helps keep balanced.
What Is The Entourage Effect?
Different cannabinoids interact with ECS in different ways. For example, THC binds directly to the CB1 endocannabinoid receptors which are primarily located throughout the brain and nervous system, while CBD acts as a mild antagonist to these same receptors.
The entourage effect theory posits that different compounds in cannabis, including the terpenes and cannabinoids, behave synergistically by enhancing each compound’s individual benefit. This can look different depending on the cannabinoid/terpene profile of a given strain, but in the context of CBD and THC, research suggests that CBD’s antagonist effect on CB1 receptors may help mitigate some of the unwanted side effects of THC like anxiety. At the same time, the presence of THC may enhance the therapeutic benefits of CBD.
For this reason, many CBD users prefer full-spectrum CBD products which contain trace amounts of THC. Simultaneously, THC products that contain equal parts CBD and THC (1:1 CBD THC ratio) are increasingly popular.
Best 1 To 1 Strains
Modern dispensaries carry several types of 1:1 flower, 1:1 edibles, and 1:1 tinctures for THC users who want to balance out their THC experience with CBD. Here are some of our favorite 1:1 strains to look out for:
Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate
To find CBD products that still contain enough THC to encourage the entourage effect, you’ll need to pay attention to how the product is labeled. Most typically, CBD products will be one of three classifications:
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CBD Isolate: This is pure CBD without any terpenes or other cannabinoids,
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Full Spectrum CBD: These are CBD products complete with other terpenes and cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant. These will include trace amounts of THC.
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Broad Spectrum CBD: Broad spectrum contains many of the same cannabinoids and terpenes found in full spectrum CBD, however, without any THC.
What’s your favorite CBD to THC ratio? Check out our Twitter and let us know!
