CBD and THC are the most prevalent active ingredients in Cannabis. While CBD is responsible for most of the therapeutic effects of the plant, THC is known to cause most of the psychoactive side effects. That is not to say that THC does not have its therapeutic benefits. More importantly, research has shown that there’s a synergistic relationship between both compounds.
CBD is generally more effective in the presence of THC. When combined with even a little amount of THC, patients can enjoy better effects with even a low dose of CBD. Thus, it’s essential that both compounds are researched together to get the best results. Here’s a summary of some of the most important discoveries about CBD and THC.
Patients with cancer pain better tolerate THC/CBD extract
The cannabis plant has found extensive use in cancer treatment. Numerous studies have shown that cannabinoids have the potential to kill cancer cells, and they can also relieve nausea associated with chemotherapy as well as cancer pain. According to a study published in the journal of pain and symptom management, patients with intractable cancer pain tolerate medicines with CBD and THC better than the pure THC extract. Better tolerability leads to improved compliance and clinical outcomes.
Combining THC and CBD produces more potent anti-tumor effects
According to a California Pacific Medical Center study, the synergistic relationship of CBD and THC extends to their anti-tumor effects. The study was carried out on breast cancer and brain cancer cell lines, and a combination of both compounds produced potent anti-tumor effects. When used alone, however, none of the compounds could generate similar results. The researchers also discovered that the mechanism through which CBD induced programmed cell death, or apoptosis is concentration-dependent. However, the concentration needed to achieve the effects reduced in the presence of THC.
CBD may lessen the side effects of THC
If you’re worried about the potential psychoactive effects of THC, CBD should be your go-to compound for minimizing the side effects. According to a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, CBD “inhibits THC-elicited paranoid symptoms and hippocampal-dependent memory impairment.” Little wonder why CBD oil is the remedy of choice for people suffering from marijuana hangover and those who are struggling to come down from their high after smoking Cannabis.
THC remains a no-go area for children
Because of the lack of evidence, the general precaution is that children should not be exposed to THC-containing preparations. This is understandable because of the compound’s proven psychoactive effects. There’s also the potential for dependence and addiction, which remains a topic for debate among researchers.
On the other hand, CBD has shown tremendous benefits in children. In fact, one of the most popular uses of CBD is as a drug for treating rare seizure disorders in children. The FDA-approved drug, Epidolex, is essentially a purified CBD extract, and its amazing efficacy set the framework for the widespread legalization of medical marijuana.
When it comes to cannabis research, the consensus is that what we know is much less than what we do not know. The Schedule 1 status of Cannabis prevents numerous obstacles for researchers. Getting their hands on the drug is as tricky as it can be, and obtaining the necessary approvals for testing is even more challenging.
However, everyone hopes that the current situation will improve with the widespread legalization of medical and recreational marijuana. Because in the absence of evidence-based knowledge, people looking to make commercial gains or anti-cannabis groups will find it easier to spread wrong information about the drug.