Do you live with stress or anxiety and are looking for an effective natural remedy? Well, you should look in the direction of cannabis.
Cannabis is touted for its powerful healing properties, one of which is treating anxiety. In a 2017 national survey conducted in over 9,000 Americans, up to 81% of those surveyed said marijuana could treat a wide range of medical conditions. Nearly half of the respondents listed stress, anxiety, and depression as some of the most common diseases that cannabis can treat.
This survey aside, many studies have shown that cannabis might help with various anxiety disorders. Of course, there are certain things to know before using marijuana to treat anxiety or any other illness.
This post shall focus on the entourage effect of two primary cannabis compounds, namely CBD and THC.
Understanding CBD and THC
The cannabis plant produces hundreds of bioactive chemical compounds. These compounds fall into three distinct groups, namely cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Cannabinoids refer to the chemicals in cannabis that accounts for most of the plant’s healing properties. So far, scientists have isolated more than 120 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. CBD and THC are the most widely studied cannabinoids.
Terpenes are compounds that give cannabinoids their distinctive flavors, whereas flavonoids act as antioxidants.
Like other cannabinoids, CBD and THC come with powerful healing properties. Both substances have shown remarkable promise in treating conditions whose primary symptoms include anxiety, pain, nausea, inflammation, seizures, and insomnia.
THC and CBD’ are that the former is psychoactive, whereas the latter isn’t. That explains why THC mostly appeals to recreational marijuana users while CBD is generally recommended for its medicinal properties.
However, medical researchers now believe that CBD- and THC-containing products from established brands like kush station online Canada can provide compounded health benefits through a mechanism known as the entourage effect.
The Entourage Effect of CBD and THC for Anxiety
As we’ve already mentioned, the entourage effect refers to a mechanism by which CBD and THC work synergistically to produce compounded medical benefits.
To understand the entourage effect of CBD and THC for anxiety, it’s essential to begin easy by familiarizing yourself with how each of these cannabinoids relieves anxiety. For starters, it’s worth noting that both CBD and THC exert their anxiolytic effects by boosting the functions of your endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a cell-signaling system in all mammals whose primary roles include regulating homeostatic balance, maintaining the endocrine system, and boosting overall immunity. To optimally function, the endocannabinoid system relies on its cannabinoids, known as endogenous cannabinoids or simply endocannabinoids. The system also contains a series of receptors known as endocannabinoid receptors, various hormones, and neurotransmitters that affect its overall performance.
CBD can treat anxiety by increasing the body’s signaling of neurotransmitters associated with feelings of happiness and optimism, such as serotonin, dopamine, and anandamide. Studies on CBD’s anti-anxiety properties have found that the substance might relieve various anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
On its part, low THC doses have been shown to relieve stress and anxiety by inducing euphoria, or what’s famously known as ‘high.’ Doctors believe that when in a state of euphoria, people tend to focus on the brighter side of things. Which might help explain the carefree attitude among many marijuana users.
But although CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system, there’s a slight variation in how these compounds affect your body.
CBD interacts with receptors located in peripheral tissues and muscles, known as CB2 receptors. On the other hand, THC binds directly to receptors located in the brain, known as CB1 receptors. That explains why THC induces psychedelic effects, whereas CBD does not.
However, the good news is that you don’t have to worry about becoming too intoxicated while using CBD and THC for anxiety. That’s because CBD has been shown to counteract the psychotropic effects of THC.
Further Research On The Entourage Effects Of CBD And THC
According to a 2011 review of studies appearing in the British Journal of Pharmacology, researchers found that using CBD and THC together provided compounded benefits against various conditions. Some of these conditions include anxiety, pain, inflammation, etc.
Another 2018 research found that the entourage effects of CBD and THC could be boosted even further by using cannabis products containing flavonoids and terpenes. Some of the best terpenes for stress and anxiety relief include caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene.
Balancing the Ratios
While both CBD and THC might treat anxiety, balancing these two compounds’ ratios is essential. Note that THC is highly intoxicating at high doses. The last thing you want is to experience hallucinations and other psychedelic effects while attempting to treat anxiety.
That underscores the importance of starting with low doses.
Most importantly, ensure that, at any given time, you’re consuming more CBD than THC. That’s because CBD can neutralize some of the psychoactive properties of THC, which ensures that you don’t become too intoxicated.
Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol might offer compounded health benefits through a process called the entourage effect. That’s because both substances come with powerful anxiolytic properties.
However, remember to go slow on the servings if you’re a new user. Most importantly, take note of THC doses as the substance can be highly intoxicating at high doses.
