While THC and CBD have their individual benefits, combining the two creates a powerful force to be reckoned with – with each bolstering the other’s strengths.
THC, the most common cannabinoid found within cannabis, is best known for its psychoactive traits. It is these qualities that make cannabis so appealing to recreational users, and fuels the worries of anti-drug campaigners. Yet, only looking at THC in terms of its recreational qualities is merely scratching the surface. THC has been shown to have some therapeutic benefits, including reducing the onset of neuropathy, and helping those suffering from PTSD.
However, there is also research to suggest that the applications of THC can be taken much further, more precisely, when combined with CBD. CBD is another abundant cannabinoid found within cannabis, but unlike THC, CBDis not psychoactive. Over the last few years, there has been a flurry of research finding extremely positive results when it comes to potential medical applications of CBD – to the point where THC has fallen to the wayside.
THC AND CBD: THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT
When combined, the duo of cannabinoids creates what is known as the entourage effect, playing off each other and enhancing the desirable traits of both. For example, CBD slows down the breakdown of THC within the liver, allowing the therapeutic effects of THC to persist longer.
Another example is this research, which found that the using the entire cannabinoid profile found within cannabis was much more efficient than using THC alone for treating multiple ailments. There is even research that suggest both THC and CBD are more effective at helping fight together than they are when applied individually. There are many more studies like it, with implications for many areas of medicine, which are all finding that cannabinoids like THC and CBD work best when together.