If you are a frequent cannabis consumer, chances are you’re familiar with THC and CBD, the two most prevalent cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. THC and CBD differ in a few ways, including one primary aspect: THC induces psychoactive effects while CBD does not. This is why high CBD products have become an excellent option for consumers looking to capitalize on the many benefits of cannabis with a less pronounced high feeling.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
THC is psychoactive—in other words, it gets you “high.” That body and/or mind change one experiences when they consume cannabis comes from THC. THC content in a cannabis strain can range anywhere from 1-30{aa34db15268e25c147c4caa85ec2d4825a5a393e7ef01519aab89820bde350fa}.
It should be noted that the THC percentage is only part of the cannabis experience equation. Shocking, right? Well, it’s true! All of the different cannabinoids and terpenoids work together to provide what is referred to as the entourage effect.
The Stages of THC
THC can go through four different stages, each in raw, heated, or aged form:
THC starts as THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic-A, for Acid). At this property, it acts as an anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic.
When heated, (also referred to as being decarboxylated) it becomes Delta-9-THC. At this stage, the THC has changed properties, making Delta-9-THC an analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, appetite stimulant, a bronchodilator, and neuroprotective.
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is also created when THCA is heated. This property brings additional benefits such as anti-convulsive, appetite suppressant, and bone stimulant.
The last stage THC would move into if it wasn’t heated would be in its aged property. When THC has been sitting away somewhere for some time it slowly starts to become Delta-8-THC. At this stage, the therapeutic values have decreased and only two beneficial properties remain anti-anxiety and anti-emetic.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD is the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant. It provides many potential benefits with no psychoactive effects.
The Stages of CBD
CBD-A, also known as Cannabigerolic Acid, is a well-known cannabinoid that has gotten quite a bit of media and press coverage recently. CBD-A turns to CBD, CBG, CBC, and CBDV when heated. Depending on what heat setting CBD-A decarboxylases at, a different result is yielded.
CBD-A offers anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. When heated, it becomes CBD and additionally provides a calming effect that’s helpful for a laundry list of things, including anxiety, sleep loss, blood sugar, bone stimulation, immunosuppressive, neuroprotective, anti-convulsive, anti-bacterial, anti-anxiety, anti-insomnia, anti-psychotic, anti-depressant, anti-emetic, and anti-ischemic.
- CBG (Cannabigerol) is an analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, and bone stimulant.
- CBC (Cannabichromic) has many of the same properties as CBG, but is also an anti-inflammatory, and anti-insomnia.
- CBDV (Cannabidivarin) is, in short, an anti-convulsive and bone stimulant.
- Lastly, when CBD ages just like THC, its properties change but not by much. That’s when CBN (Cannabinol) is created. This is a favorite in the insomniac community, as CBN is great for anti-insomnia. Additionally, it’s an analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-convulsive, and anti-inflammatory.
Putting THC and CBD Together
Since the legalization of U.S. hemp farming in December 2018, CBD-infused products have been popping up everywhere, from hair salons to coffee shops. But CBD is more than just something trendy to add to your cappuccino – it has shown serious potential in research studies to be an effective treatment for symptoms related to diabetes, cancer, chemotherapy, neurodegenerative diseases, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, chronic pain, and more. CBD-only hemp products are becoming more and more easily accessible, and in most states, can be purchased and consumed legally without a medical marijuana card.
While CBD is the cannabinoid recently popular for its potential health benefits, THC also contains its own unique therapeutic benefits, which are especially amplified when used in conjunction with CBD.
A study conducted on patients with cancer-related chronic pain found that medicines containing both THC and CBD were better tolerated among the group than a pure THC extract.
Research from the California Pacific Medical Center found that THC and CBD are much more effective against tumors when used in conjunction, rather than either cannabinoid individually. The THC and CBD combination treatment worked more effectively than both THC and CBD alone.
Another study conducted in 2012 found that CBD actually helps to counteract paranoid symptoms and memory impairment, sometimes associated with heavy THC consumption.
Depending on what ailment they are treating, each individual cannabis consumer has their own “sweet spot” of CBD/THC ratio. Someone trying to relieve anxiety will have a different ideal cannabinoid composition than another user looking to treat chronic pain. Even if you only use cannabis recreationally, there are still many benefits to incorporating products with a more balanced composition of CBD and THC.
The entourage effect is the theory that states that when all of the various compounds in cannabis are used together, they provide a better effect than if you were to use any of these compounds on their own. Each strain’s individual composition of THC, CBD, terpenes and other cannabinoids creates a unique effect on each individual cannabis user.
As stated above, a strain’s cannabinoid composition, as well as its terpene profile, has the potential to increase the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. There are several common terpenes found in cannabis that provide distinctive effects.
The Bottom Line
If you are new to cannabis or a veteran user looking to increase therapeutic benefit, try experimenting with different cannabinoid and terpene profiles until you find your ideal high. Remember to start slow when incorporating new compounds and gradually increase your dosage until you find what’s right!
If you’re located in Las Vegas and are unsure which cannabis products contain the right THC to CBD ratio for your needs, please contact us, and we’d be happy to assist. :)
