Balancing CBD and THC for Pain - April 2024

What CBD: THC Ratios Mean

It is critical to understand CBD: THC ratios to help manage the medical condition⁽⁴⁾.

CBD oils may contain trace levels of THC, and medical marijuana strains may include a combination of the two⁽⁵⁾.

CBD: THC ratio necessitates checking the value, which indicates the proportion of CBD to THC. A ratio of 1:2 demonstrates that there is one part CBD to every two parts THC. This combination shows that there is twice the amount of THC as CBD⁽⁶⁾. 

Why CBD:THC Ratios Matter

Individuals may be using CBD and THC in a variety of ways. These compounds can be consumed separately or together⁽⁷⁾.

However, investigations indicated that CBD: THC combinations ranging from CBD-dominant to THC-dominant may offer help to other conditions such as pain, epilepsy, anxiety, and sleep issues⁽⁸⁾.

CBD has enhanced some of the effects of THC in preclinical studies. Future epidemiological studies may better address the interactions between CBD and THC, especially in the context of long-term use ⁽⁹⁾.

Different CBD:THC Ratios

CBD oils may contain trace levels of THC, and medical marijuana strains may include a combination of the two. The ratio between CBD and THC requires checking the value indicating the proportion of CBD to THC⁽¹⁰⁾. 

Different ratios have varying effects. It is vital to understand what is required for specific medical conditions⁽¹¹⁾. Here are some common CBD: THC ratios:

CBD: THC Ratio of 1:1 – The equal parts tend to produce a weaker “high” or milder psychoactive effect. 

CBD: THC Ratio of 5:1 – There is a moderate to a high concentration of CBD and a medium amount of THC. 

CBD: THC Ratio of 1:2 – This ratio maybe for those who want the effect of THC with an added benefit of CBD. 

CBD: THC Ratio of 1:10 or more – These are very high THC strains and offer more significant benefits for pain with a high psychoactive effect. 

CBD: THC Ratio of 10:1 – This ratio is an ideal option for beginners who wants to receive the benefits of CBD.

CBD: THC Ratio of 5:2 – This ratio is for more CBD than THC⁽¹²⁾.

About CBD and THC

CBD is the nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid component found with the highest quantity in marijuana. While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is either extracted directly from the hemp plant, a relative of marijuana⁽¹³⁾.

THC is a compound in the resin secreted by the Cannabis sativa plant⁽¹⁴⁾. THC is the principal psychoactive component of Cannabis, which stimulates cells in the brain to release dopamine, creating euphoria⁽¹⁵⁾.  

What Does the Research Say?

THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid molecules are currently being evaluated for medicinal uses, separately and in combination⁽¹⁶⁾.

Current studies are being conducted as CBD has been shown to counteract THC’s adverse effects, such as intoxication, sedation, and tachycardia, while providing anti-emetic, analgesic, and anti-carcinogenic characteristics⁽¹⁷⁾.

Comparison Between CBD and THC

Although CBD and THC contain the same number of carbon atoms, these compounds have opposing effects. The arrangement of the particles gives these compounds their distinct chemical properties⁽¹⁸⁾.

THC induces euphoria or the “high.” CBD does not produce that euphoric feeling. Rather than that, CBD appears to have the potential to benefit an individual’s well-being⁽¹⁹⁾.

Benefits of Using CBD and THC Together

A study on pain management demonstrated that THC: CBD extract is an efficient adjunctive treatment for cancer-related pain in individuals not achieving an adequate analgesic response to the administration of opioids⁽²⁰⁾. 

Clinical studies on the relief of MS symptoms indicated how medications were prepared from whole-plant cannabis extract with known amounts of THC and CBD. This formulation may treat disorders with severe neuropathic pain⁽²¹⁾. 

In addition, clinical trials show that extracts of the Cannabis sativa plant containing known amounts of the active compounds offer potential help for painful conditions that do not respond to existing treatments, such as neuropathic, inflammatory, and oncologic pain⁽²²⁾.

Clinical trials for CBD and Δ9-THC for neurodegenerative disorders have shown the effects of the coadministration of CBD and THC. The combination indicated modifying the pharmacological effect of THC and potentiating some of its reputed benefits⁽²³⁾. 

The Entourage Effect: How CBD and THC Work Together

This effect results from combining the compounds to augment or support the impact of significant cannabinoids. Compounds can exert synergistic effects through several mechanisms to improve the bioavailability of beneficial compounds and enhance therapeutic effects⁽²⁴⁾.

Dosage Guidelines

Different ratios have varying effects; thus, it is vital to understand which is required for specific medical conditions⁽²⁵⁾. 

CBD and THC can be taken in various ways, including through capsules

edibles, tinctures, topicals, vapes⁽²⁶⁾. 

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) indicates hazards associated with vaping⁽²⁷⁾. 

Taking CBD and THC necessitates seeking medical advice from a healthcare provider to identify potential drug interactions if taking any medications.

1. Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of THC:CBD Extract and THC Extract in Patients with Intractable Cancer-Related Pain
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885392409007878
2. Minor Cannabinoids: Biosynthesis, Molecular Pharmacology and Potential Therapeutic Uses https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.777804/full
3. Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5719112/
4. CBD: THC Ratio: The Guide to the Proper Proportions to Fit Your Needs
   https://thcphysicians.com/cbd-thc-ratio/
5. ibid
6. ibid
7. CBD:THC ratio explained https://www.cannasouth.co.nz/2021/cbdthc-ratio/#:~:text=Ratios%20of%20CBD%3ATHC%20can,should%20not%20elicit%20a%20high
8. ibid
9. Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5719112/
10. CBD: THC Ratio: The Guide to the Proper Proportions to Fit Your Needs
    https://thcphysicians.com/cbd-thc-ratio/
11. ibid
12. ibid
13. Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
14. What is THC?
    https://www.livescience.com/24553-what-is-thc.html
15. ibid
16. Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28875990/)
17. ibid
18. CBD vs. THC: What’s The Difference? https://www.forbes.com/health/body/cbd-vs-thc/
19. ibid
20. Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of THC:CBD Extract and THC Extract in Patients with Intractable Cancer-Related Pain
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885392409007878
21. Role of the Cannabinoid System in Pain Control and Therapeutic Implications for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain Episodes
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430692/
22. ibid
23. Cannabidiol: A Promising Drug for Neurodegenerative Disorders?
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00065.x#b30
24. The United Chemicals of Cannabis: Beneficial Effects of Cannabis Phytochemicals on the Brain and Cognition https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/62431
25. Healing with CBD Page 82 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
26. ibid
27. Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don’t) know https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-vaping-damage-your-lungs-what-we-do-and-dont-know-2019090417734