CBD & THC (And CBG Makes Three?)
You’ve heard of THC, the active ingredient in many cannabis products. You’ve heard of CBD, its non-intoxicating cousin. You may think they fall on opposite ends of the cannabis spectrum. But when the world’s two most popular cannabinoids join forces, they make each other even better.
Let’s talk about how.
CBD, THC, and Your Endocannabinoid System
THC and CBD affect you because of your body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS – a complex network of transmitters and receptors that helps to regulate functions like sleep, stress management, appetite, and more.
Molecules called cannabinoids, typically either produced by your body (endocannabinoids) or derived from the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids), interact with various receptors to send “signals” to your brain... signals like these:
- “Hey, we’re not in danger right now, you don’t need to feel so stressed out.”
- “Gosh, it’s getting pretty late, maybe you should go to bed."
- “Hmm... don’t you think it’s time for a snack?”
Team Work / Dream Work
Understanding the ECS matters because different cannabinoids interact with different receptors in different ways.
Say you’re feeling a little stiff and achey after your workout. THC might stimulate a part of your ECS called the CB1 receptor, helping to relax your muscles. Meanwhile, CBD interacts with another group of receptors (known as CB2), which are believed to regulate inflammation. So you’re attacking two sides of the problem at once!
CBD can also modulate the effects of THC by binding to different parts of the CB1 receptor. This changes the signal the ECS system sends, in much the same way that pressing a guitar fret changes the sound you get when plucking a string. It’s a synergistic effect that’s especially helpful if you’re prone to negative THC side effects like paranoia or anxiety. A touch of CBD can mellow your experience into a relaxing, balanced high.
This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect. And it’s not just CBD and THC that work together. Other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and even terpenes (the chemical compounds that give most plants their distinct taste, smell, and effects) can also be part of the team.
And CBG Makes Three?
Speaking of other cannabinoids, you may have recently heard some buzz about a rare cannabis molecule known as cannabigerol (or CBG). While less is known about CBG than its two super-star cannabinoid cousins, early research suggests it has many of the same benefits as CBD, including anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving properties. CBG has also been observed to elevate your body’s levels of GABA, a stress-relieving neurotransmitter.
Taken in combination with THC and especially CBD, CBG is not only great for sports and workout recovery; but for reducing anxious feelings and lifting your overall mood. Leading edibles company Wana Brands, for example, has just launched a new Passionfruit Pineapple 1:1:1 ratio gummie containing 10mg each of CBD, THC, and CBG – and Wana's early test audience has reported feeling a relaxing (but not sedating) high that’s great for boosting creativity or enjoying social situations.
What Ratio is Right for You?
This is really a personal choice that may require a certain amount of experimentation. As a rule of thumb, products with a higher THC content will have a more intense psychoactive effect (i.e. they’ll get you more high). A product with a lot more CBD (and/or CBG) than THC, on the other hand, tends to produce therapeutic benefits with less intoxication (though this can depend on factors like metabolism, height and weight, age, and experience with cannabis). So your THC tolerance and reasons for consuming should both factor into your choice.
Luckily, in addition to the new 1:1:1 Passionfruit Pineapple formulation, Wana offers CBD/THC gummies in 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1 and even 20:1 ratios.* That means you can write your own perfect love story with our favorite cannabinoid couple (or even throuple).
*Availability varies by state.
Find a Store