Connect with us

CBD

Does CBD lessen the effects of THC? Recent studies question a common belief

Published

on


Cannabis research can be a fickle beast. Decades of prohibition created a lot of red tape for researchers, so scientific knowledge of the plant is still in its infancy. Because cannabis hasn’t been studied extensively, research on it can yo-yo back and forth, and something proven one day can be disproven or reversed later on down the road, leaving cannabis consumers scratching their heads. 

A recent example comes with two studies published in the past few months, which both claim that CBD does not reduce the psychoactive effects of THC, reversing a commonly held idea of one of CBD’s benefits. 

To figure out what cannabis consumers can take away from this new info, let’s look at the history of research on this topic and what the new studies say.

What does past research on CBD and THC say?

Going back decades, a common belief has been that CBD can reduce the negative effects of THC—if you’re too high or don’t want to get too high, take a little CBD or consume a THC product that also has a little CBD to mellow out the high. Many studies have claimed this, and we’ve even reported on it here at Leafly.

The idea is that CBD molecules block receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, so that THC can’t fully activate those receptors, which lessens the feeling of being high. 

Many older studies have made claims of CBD’s ability to dampen THC: As early as 1982, a study said that CBD can diminish paranoia and anxiety brought on by THC; and a study in 2010 said CBD and THC have opposite effects, and that CBD can reduce paranoia in THC.

Notably, a review from 2013 looked at nearly 1,300 studies from the previous few decades and concluded that, “The few studies that exist on the effects of CBD show that this cannabinoid can counteract some of the negative effects of THC.” However, the authors did emphasize that, “Their results have not always been consistent.” The study also said there were surprisingly few studies to date on the interactions between THC and the potentially protective effects of CBD.

Related

What is the endocannabinoid system and what is its role?

What do the recent studies on CBD and THC say?

Two studies published in the past few months disagree with the idea that CBD tempers THC. In a UK study from Nov. of last year, 46 participants vaped oil with various ratios of CBD to THC to determine CBD’s effects on THC. They tested products with CBD:THC ratios of 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, with 0mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 30mg of CBD, and found no difference in effects.

According to the study authors, “We found no evidence of CBD reducing the acute adverse effects of THC on cognition and mental health. Similarly, there was no evidence that it altered the subjective or pleasurable effects of THC.” 

Another study from the UK earlier this month backs up this data. It looked at the effects of cannabis on teens vs. adults, and how THC and CBD affect both. Forty-eight participants, 24 teens and 24 adults, vaporized a product with 3:1 CBD to THC (24mg to 8mg) and a product with only THC, and found no difference in the subjective feel of effects in individuals. 

The authors ultimately concluded that “Our results add further weight to the claim that doses of vaporized CBD, which are near to naturally occurring levels, do not mitigate the acute harms of THC.” As a side note, the study also found no differences in effects between teens and adults.

Related

CBD vs. THC: Why is CBD non-intoxicating?

How should consumers take this new info?

It is often assumed that products containing CBD are less potent or can reduce negative THC effects, but the findings from both studies suggest that CBD may not be a determining factor in the strength of a product. Consumers who buy products with CBD thinking they are getting “weed lite” or less potent products may be incorrect in their thinking. 

But because cannabis research is still so young, it’s hard to know if these studies are the final word on the matter or just another bump in the road. There are still some caveats.

In the review from last Nov., the authors do note a previous study that shows CBD to lessen some of THC’s effects, but the participants in it were given exceptionally large doses of 600mg of CBD to 5mg of THC—a ratio of 120:1 CBD to THC! The authors concluded such a large amount of CBD is impractical to put in a commercial vape cartridge. So CBD may temper THC’s effects, but it may be that astronomical amounts of it are needed.

At the end of the day, it may be difficult to separate and clearly delineate these two compounds and their effects because of the entourage effect—or how all the compounds in the cannabis plant work together synergistically to create the feeling of being high, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and more. The sum is greater than the whole of the parts, so it might be hard to study the individual compounds separately. 

Cannabis research is getting better as more states legalize, but there may not be a definitive answer to the interaction of CBD and THC yet. There is a growing body of research that sways toward the idea that CBD does not temper THC’s effects, so buyers should keep that in mind the next time they’re at the dispensary. 

As always, we tell our readers that every person has a different body chemistry and will experience weed differently. You could get incredibly high or paranoid off of a hit or two from a joint, while your friend will barely feel a thing; a certain strain may make you fall asleep, while the same one will make your friend go out for a walk. It’s important to understand how your own body responds to weed. 

CBD has shown tremendous potential in treating seizures and epilepsy conditions in children, however, CBD’s medicinal benefits beyond that, or its ability to tame THC’s intoxicating effects, are inconclusive to date. 

Pat Goggins's Bio Image

Pat Goggins

Pat Goggins is a senior editor who handles Leafly’s informational content and specializes in cannabis cultivation after working for a commercial grower in Oregon. When not fixing typos, you’ll probably find him on a boat or in the mountains.

View Pat Goggins’s articles



Source link

anxiety

The Best CBD Dosage For You

Published

on

By


CBD seems to be everyone and has some benefits.  But it is difficult to figure out how much to take to manage the condition you are treating.  Science says CBD can help with anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain.  Like medical marijuana, it can reduce inflammation, including with arthritis.  Other research identifies how it might how help with neuropathic pain, which is difficult treat. So what is the best CBD dosage for you?

While some companies have produced kits whichcan test one’s endocannabinod system, testing is not readily available to the general public or covered by insurance. This means your doctor or nurse cannot measure the amount of endocannabinoids present in your body like they can test for, say, deficiencies in Vitamin C or assess your cholesterol levels.

Like other chronic diseases (high blood pressure, headaches, high cholesterol), there is a certain amount of trial and error in to find the right mix. Most of the human studies use dosages anywhere between 20 and 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day.  But it may take a bit to figure out where you are on the spectrum.

Photo by Kinga Cichewicz via Unsplash

RELATED: 5 Of The Most Popular Ways To Take CBD

Start low and go slow. Start with 5mg of CBD and then slowly increase the dosage as needed until you feel the optimal effects. Most people find that 5-30mg of CBD represents the sweet spot that works best for them. 

Be patient. Realize that it could take up to a few weeks of consistent supplementation to feel the effects from CBD. If you run into unwanted side effects, back off a bit and then try a slower increase. Also, the lower amount of CBD might be your ideal portion.

Photo by Kinga Cichewicz via Unsplash

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

Like most medicines, you should not combine CBD with other substances, such as over-the-counter medicine or pharmaceuticals, without consulting with your health care provider. Also, leave at least a two hour window before and after consuming CBD in order to minimize the risk of any potential interactions.

CBD can naturally lower blood pressure and reduce the need for insulin in the body. So if you’re already on any medication for those purposes, be sure to work with your healthcare providers to keep an eye on their levels.



Source link

Continue Reading

anxiety

Should You Use CBD or Marijuana For Anxiety

Published

on

By


It manifests in multiple ways, but if you suffer from some form of anxiety, it can be miserable.  It is believed over 4% of the global population deal with it on a regular basis.  Some people experience side effects with traditional medications including fatigue, tiredness, agitation,  difficulty sleeping, and weight issues. Research has shown cannabis can help, but should you use CBD or marijuana for anxiety?

RELATED: Here’s How Cannabinoids Quell Anxiety

Used effectively, marijuana can certainly benefit anxiety patients. A study in the Journal of Affective Disorders reported that about 90% of participants experienced reduction in symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression in the short term. Repeated use, however, did not cause any long-term decrease in baseline symptoms and could increase depression over time.

Photo via puppypics_daily/Instagram

At high doses, however, some studies show that marijuana can worsen anxiety. This is due to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid that causes marijuana’s psychoactive effect. THC makes your heart beat faster and leads to racing thoughts, both of which can exacerbate anxiety. Sometimes, you hear someone with anxiety smoking a joint at a party, thinking it will relieve symptoms. Instead it causes them to feel worse and reject cannabis as therapeutic.

A 2015 review concluded that “current evidence indicates CBD has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders.” This, in part, explain why new emphasis exists on CBD for anxiety patients in recent years. Higher doses of CBD work effectively in reducing anxiety symptoms, the review found, without any of the negative side effects associated with THC.

CBD works for different types of anxiety as well. A Japanese study followed older Japanese teenagers diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Using the Fear of Negative Evaluation Questionnaire and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, researchers found CBD significantly decreased anxiety in both measurements.

RELATED: The Effects Of Smoking Low-THC, High-CBD Cannabis

Current recommendations for anxiety patients is to utilize a mixture of high-CBD, low-THC marijuana strains for the best results. Remember: using a little goes a long way. If you consume too much, you might regret it.



Source link

Continue Reading

Amazon

Can CBD Help With Eczema

Published

on

By


Eczema is a chronic skin condition that affects one in 10. It’s most common in children, although one in four people with the condition don’t have symptoms until they’re adults.

It irritates the skin, leaving it patchy and red for stretches of time. It occurs due to a combination of genetics and environmental situations. Flare ups of the condition can occur from pollen in the air or the types of foods and drinks you ingest. Some experts believe that eczema is more common in developed countries because of clean living conditions, childhood vaccines that lower infection rates, and antibiotic use. These things change your immune response and make you more likely to have atopic diseases, like eczema. But can CBD whelp with eczema.

Eczema, is traditionally treated by managing its most prevalent symptoms in order to prevent flare ups. The condition is not contagious and can be very different from person to person, with the most prevalent symptom manifesting as patches of itchy skin.

RELATED: Yacht Rock Pairs Perfectly With Cocktails

There is no cure for eczema, which is why people who suffer from this ailment have to be careful, moisturizing their skin often, while also looking for effective ways of avoiding triggers. The ways in which people treat their eczema are varied and personal, ranging from warm baths and gentle soaps to wearing soft cotton clothes to avoid pain.

eczema
Photo by Maria Fuchs/Getty Images

Seen everywhere from Amazon to Instagram, CBD has garnered some acclaim within the beauty and skincare industry. Although there’s a lack of scientific research on CBD due to the compound’s strange legal standing, many experts are hopeful in the effect it could have on eczema.

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties which seems to help reduce irritating eczema symptoms such as itching, pain, and dry skin. Research has shown the endocannabinoid system also plays a role in skin health.

RELATED: Could CBD And Cannabis Eliminate The High-Cost And High-Stakes Of Current Psoriasis Medicines?

Different studies have shown CBD is effective in providing anti-inflammatory effects and managing skin irritation. There are also studies that have found CBD has antioxidant properties, which could help prevent infections when skin has been damaged by eczema and is at its most vulnerable.

There hasn’t been enough research on the use of topical CBD in people with eczema. A small study published in 2019 in Clinical Therapeutics which found. a CBD ointment helped clear skin and reduced itch and the sleep loss it caused.

Research also suggests CBD is anti-microbial, with some data showing it works about as well as antibiotics to kill Staphylococcus aureus. Staph can infect the skin of people with atopic dermatitis, triggering flares and other complications.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2021 The Art of MaryJane Media