Cannabis is a plant used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. However, in recent years, the popularity of cannabis has skyrocketed due to the growing acceptance of its therapeutic benefits.
CBD and THC are two of the most well-known and widely used phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
While both offer a host of therapeutic benefits, research suggests that when taken together, the benefits of CBD and THC can be even more significant. This is due to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.
Taking Phytocannabinoids and Terpenes Together May Provide Additional Therapeutic Benefits
The entourage effect is the theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to produce a greater therapeutic effect than if used individually.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants, including cannabis, responsible for the plant’s unique scent and flavor.
They also have therapeutic properties, which, when combined with cannabinoids, can enhance their therapeutic effects.
CBD May Help Reduce the Unwanted Effects of THC
One of the reasons that combining CBD and THC may be beneficial is that CBD may help reduce THC’s unwanted psychoactive effects.
THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana use.
While THC offers many therapeutic benefits, its psychoactive effects can be too intense for some users.
CBD has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which may help mitigate some of THC’s psychoactive effects.
The Entourage Effect of Cannabis
The entourage effect was a term coined by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, the scientist who first identified THC in the 1960s.
The idea behind the entourage effect is that the therapeutic effects of cannabis are greater when all of the plant’s compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes, are used together rather than isolating individual compounds.
This theory is supported by a growing body of research that suggests that the entourage effect is real.
Today’s Cannabis vs. The Bud of Yesteryear
Today’s cannabis is very different from the bud of yesteryear. Advances in cultivation techniques have allowed growers to produce cannabis plants with higher levels of THC than ever before.
This means that users can experience more intense psychoactive effects than they would have with cannabis from decades past.
However, this also means there may be a greater need for the balancing effects of CBD and other compounds found in the cannabis plant.
Phytochemicals Like Terpenes and Flavonoids Could Be Beneficial to Brain Health
In addition to cannabinoids, cannabis also contains a variety of other compounds, including terpenes and flavonoids.
These compounds have been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic benefits, including potential benefits for brain health.
For example, terpenes like limonene and linalool have been shown to have neuroprotective properties, while flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Human Genes Responsible for Cannabis’ Effects
Not everyone responds to cannabis in the same way. This is because our genes affect how our bodies respond to cannabis.
Some people are more sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC than others, while others may not feel any effects.
Understanding the genetic factors that influence how we respond to cannabis could help personalize future cannabis-based treatments.
Is CBD Oil With THC Legal?
The legality of CBD oil with THC varies depending on where you live. For example, in Canada, CBD oil derived from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC is legal at the federal level.
However, individual states may have laws regarding CBD and THC products. Therefore, checking your local laws before using cannabis-based products is important.
Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and the Entourage Effect
Cannabinoids like CBD and THC interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates a wide range of bodily functions, including mood, appetite, sleep, and immune function.
How the Entourage Effect Works
The entourage effect is thought to work by enhancing the activity of the ECS.
Cannabinoids and terpenes work together to modulate the activity of the ECS, resulting in a more significant therapeutic effect than if the compounds were used individually.
For example, one study found that a combination of CBD, THC, and terpene called beta-caryophyllene had greater anti-inflammatory effects than CBD or THC alone.
How CBD Helps THC
CBD and THC work together to produce a more balanced therapeutic effect. For example, THC can cause anxiety and paranoia in some users, but CBD has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help to counteract these effects.
Additionally, CBD has been shown to enhance the pain-relieving effects of THC, which may make it more effective as a pain medication.
Research on Terpene and Cannabinoid Interaction
Research on the interaction between terpenes and cannabinoids is still in its early stages, but there is growing evidence to suggest that terpenes can enhance the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids.
For example, one study found that the terpene myrcene increased the absorption of THC in the brain, resulting in a greater psychoactive effect.
How Do You Combine CBD and THC for Added Benefits?
The ideal ratio of CBD to THC will vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated. Some people may benefit from a higher ratio of CBD to THC, while others may need more THC to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Working with a healthcare provider is vital to determine the best ratio for your needs.
Do You Need to Take CBD and THC Together?
CBD and THC can be taken separately, but there may be benefits to bringing them together. When taken together, they can produce a more balanced therapeutic effect, with CBD helping to counteract some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC.
Is There an Ideal CBD to THC Ratio?
The ideal CBD to THC ratio will vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated. For example, some people may benefit from a higher ratio of CBD to THC, while others may need more THC to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Working with a healthcare provider is vital to determine the best ratio for your needs.
CBD Counteracts Some of the Psychoactive Effects of THC
CBD has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help counteract some of THC’s unwanted psychoactive effects.
For example, one study found that CBD reduced some users’ anxiety and paranoia caused by THC.
CBD May Help to Increase the Anti-inflammatory Potential of THC
CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may enhance the anti-inflammatory potential of THC.
One study found that combining CBD and THC was more effective at reducing inflammation than THC alone.
Does CBD Counteract Thc’s Psychoactive Effect?
CBD can help counteract some of THC’s psychoactive effects, but it doesn’t eliminate them.
CBD can reduce anxiety and paranoia caused by THC, but it won’t eliminate the high associated with THC use.
Potential Cannabis Synergy: Understanding the Power of Full Spectrum CBD Products
Cannabis sativa plant contains over 100 chemical compounds, including THC and CBD. They interact with our bodies through the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS regulates a wide range of bodily functions, including mood, appetite, and pain. In addition, when we consume cannabis, the cannabinoids bind to the cannabinoid receptors in our ECS, producing a variety of medical benefits.
While both THC and CBD offer therapeutic properties on their own, the potential cannabis synergy of using all the cannabinoids together in whole-plant cannabis or full-spectrum CBD products is becoming increasingly clear.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain all the cannabinoid compounds present in the cannabis plant, taming THC with both CBD and other cannabinoids to provide a more balanced and effective therapeutic experience.
Benefits of CBD and THC Together: The Case for Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Full-spectrum CBD oil in Canada contains all of the compounds found in the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
This means full-spectrum CBD oil can produce the entourage effect, providing a more robust therapeutic effect than isolated compounds.
Full-spectrum CBD oil may also be more effective for certain conditions than isolated compounds.
Hemp-Derived CBD Products Containing THC
Hemp-derived CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC, but the levels are typically very low, less than 0.3% THC.
This is because hemp plants naturally contain low levels of THC.
These products may not produce the same psychoactive effects as marijuana-based products. However, depending on the amount of THC present, they may still have some psychoactive effects.
The Takeaway: CBD and THC Combined for a More Robust Experience
CBD and THC can be used separately, but there may be benefits to using them together.
When taken together, they can produce a more balanced therapeutic effect. In addition, CBD helps to counteract some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC and muscle recovery.
Additionally, full-spectrum CBD oil can produce the entourage effect, providing a more robust therapeutic effect than isolated compounds.
Why Does CBD Work Better With a Little THC?
CBD works better with a little THC because the compounds work together to produce a more balanced therapeutic effect.
THC can cause anxiety and paranoia in some users. However, CBD has a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help to counteract these effects.
Additionally, CBD enhances the pain-relieving effects of THC, which may make it more effective as a pain medication.
How to Know It’s a Full Spectrum Product
To know if a product is a full spectrum, look for lab reports that show the levels of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids present in the product.
Full-spectrum products should contain all of the compounds found in the cannabis plant, including THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
What Are the Health Benefits of CBD and THC?
CBD and THC offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits. For example, CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving properties, among other potential uses.
THC has been shown to have pain-relieving, anti-nausea, and appetite-stimulating properties, among other potential benefits.
When taken together, CBD and THC can produce a more balanced therapeutic effect, relieving a wider range of conditions.
Final Words
CBD and THC offer a host of therapeutic benefits on their own. But when taken together, the benefits can be even greater.
The entourage effect is the theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to produce a greater therapeutic effect than individually.
Additionally, full-spectrum CBD oil can produce the entourage effect, providing a more robust therapeutic effect than isolated compounds. Working with a healthcare provider to determine the best ratio of CBD to THC for your specific needs is essential.
