By Luke Sumpter Reviewed by: Gloria Payá

Can CBD tame THC’s psychoactive effect?


The cannabis plant produces hundreds of different phytochemicals belonging to several families—cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and others. Among these, the cannabinoids THC and CBD stand out as the most sought-after chemicals.

All these cannabis constituents have their own purposes, but their effects tend to be more profound when combined. This chemical synergy is known as the entourage effect. According to this theory, not only do cannabinoids like THC and CBD synergise, but terpenes and other compounds as well. When it comes to our star cannabinoids, can CBD counteract or tame the psychoactive effect of THC? Find out below.

CBD vs THC

CBD and THC are the two most common cannabinoids encountered in modern cultivars. Although both produce beneficial effects, they feature a stark difference—THC is psychoactive, whereas CBD is not.

THC underpins the high produced by the cannabis plant. The molecule induces the often euphoric, enjoyable, and relaxing effects associated with smoking, eating, or vaping cannabis. However, THC can also pack some undesirable effects, giving rise to paranoia and even panic in inexperienced or unprepared users.

The secret behind these effects? THC binds to CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system like a key fits into a lock. These sites exist throughout the central nervous system; once activated, a series of chemical changes occur that give rise to an altered state of consciousness.

Researchers are just beginning to understand how CBD works in the body. Like THC, CBD also interacts with the endocannabinoid system. However, it does so in a different manner. The molecule doesn't bind to cannabinoid receptors with much affinity. The fact that it doesn’t latch onto the CB1 receptor explains why CBD doesn't produce a psychoactive effect.

Instead, CBD raises levels of endocannabinoids—including anandamide (often dubbed the "bliss molecule")—that bind to native cannabinoid receptors. CBD also targets serotonin, TRPV1, GPR55, and PPAR receptors to produce its effects.

Researchers are looking at how CBD influences these receptors and testing the cannabinoid to see its impact on feelings of nervousness[1] and pressure, sensitive skin[2], and sore muscles[3]

CBD vs THC

Mixing CBD With THC

Cannabis scientists are still trying to determine the complex interplay between CBD and THC. Early investigations point to a synergy between these compounds, and many cannabis users report beneficial subjective experiences. In particular, smokers tend to find that adding CBD into the mix helps to take the edge off the THC, making the experience more pleasant and easier to handle. How does CBD achieve this? Early research suggests the cannabinoid acts as a negative allosteric modulator[4] of the CB1 receptor, meaning it blocks a degree of THC’s activity at this site. Therefore, it stands to reason that using THC and CBD in conjunction could help many individuals strike a much-needed balance with their cannabis use.

If you find you're extra-sensitive to THC, try a CBD-rich strain with much lower levels of THC. You'll still experience the effects of both cannabinoids, just with less of a high.

You can also try combining CBD oils with smoking and vaping. Inhale some THC-rich weed and keep a bottle of CBD oil nearby to modulate the high as you go. If the effects become too much, place a few drops under the tongue and wait for it to be absorbed.

Likewise, take several drops before your smoke to buffer against the psychoactive effects before they take hold. Taking CBD in this manner will enable you to dose accurately and readily.

Are There Benefits to Using CBD and THC Together?

Though research is in its infancy, there has been some study into the potential synergy between these two cannabinoids. One effort dates back to 2012, when researchers from several different institutions across the UK and Switzerland set out to see if CBD could offset the paranoia and memory impairment[5] induced by THC in human subjects.

As cannabis continues to undergo scientific scrutiny, various researchers and institutions are keen to explore if CBD and THC can provide improved outcomes when used in combination. For instance, a multicentre randomised trial[6] assessed the efficacy of THC extract vs a THC:CBD extract in patients with cancer-related pain. Such studies represent some of the earliest human trials in this area. As the research progresses, scientists will look to identify the implications of different quantities of each cannabinoid, and also to determine the potential role of adding select terpenes to the mix.

CBD:THC Ratio

The CBD:THC ratio of a cannabis extract, product, or strain is a fairly good indicator of its effects. A ratio with a higher level of CBD will provide a more clear-headed effect, whereas higher THC values will boost psychoactivity.

Check out some of the common ratios seen in extracts and cultivars below. These values will give you a good idea of how CBD can counteract the effects of THC, and which products will suit your lifestyle the best.

CBD:THC RATIO

CBD:THC — 1:1

The perfect balance. A 1:1 extract or strain provides equal parts THC and CBD. Users will experience an obvious psychoactive effect, but adequate amounts of CBD will lessen the impact. Feelings of paranoia are less likely.

CBD:THC — 2:1

Twice the amount of CBD doubles down on the lucid effect. Users will experience a light high, but not enough to feel overwhelmed or intoxicated. The CBD blocks most of the negative effects of THC, leaving users feeling creative and uplifted.

CBD:THC — 8:1

These strains and extracts provide only a light high, if any. While THC’s effects may be apparent, they won’t interrupt productivity or functionality. This ratio is great for daytime use.

CBD:THC — 20:1

Sky-high levels of CBD alongside almost no THC makes these products perfect for first-time cannabis users. Users won't experience a high, but small levels of THC might contribute to an entourage effect.

CBD:THC — 1:0

Enjoy the full effects of CBD without any THC at all. Great for users looking to avoid any psychoactive effect, and for those subject to drug tests.

The Effects of Different Cannabinoid Profiles

The Effects of Different Cannabinoid Profiles

The unique cannabinoid profile of each cannabis variety has a distinct effect when smoked or otherwise consumed. Upon experimenting with multiple strains with different ratios of THC and CBD, you’ll find that different cultivars make you feel different ways. To steer you in the right direction, in what follows we break down what you can expect from different types of cannabinoid profiles.

  • You’re Less Likely to Become Overwhelmed With High-CBD and 1:1 Strains

Whereas some cannabis users can handle high quantities of THC with ease, others have a harder time with the cannabinoid. If you’re prone to feeling anxious and overwhelmed, you should consider a cultivar containing equal parts THC and CBD. Most of these varieties contain moderate levels of THC to begin with, and the addition of CBD helps to curtail the effects of the psychoactive cannabinoid at the CB1 receptor. Royal Highness serves as a perfect example of a 1:1 CBD:THC variety.

  • You’ll Dodge the Munchies With High-CBD Varieties

Varieties packed with CBD and only trace levels of THC will help you to avoid the munchies. You’ll still experience a clear-headed and pleasant effect, but without the need to raid the fridge. By activating the CB1 receptor, THC causes a spike in appetite that most cannabis users are all too familiar with. However, because CBD interacts with this receptor in a different way, it doesn’t trigger an irresistible need for food. An example of a strain that’s high in CBD but contains almost no THC is Tatanka Pure CBD.

  • You’re Less Likely to Get Red Eyes From High-CBD Strains

THC causes vasodilation, a fancy term that describes the widening of blood vessels, resulting in increased blood flow and a temporary drop in blood pressure. This effect also impacts the blood vessels in the eye. As more blood flows into these capillaries, the eyes take on a red appearance. While rarely an issue when smoking at home, red eyes make it obvious to colleagues and family that you’ve been blazing. To dodge red eyes during the day, opt for high-CBD varieties like Joanne’s CBD.

  • You’re Less Likely to Feel Dizzy and Faint With High-CBD Varieties

An acute decrease in blood pressure at the hands of THC doesn’t just cause red eyes; it can also trigger fainting and dizziness in some users. If you experience these sensations after a joint hit or bong bowl, consider switching to a high-CBD variety such as Purplematic CBD. With that said, CBD can cause side effects such as drowsiness and fatigue in a minority of people.

  • CBD Strains Have Less of an Impact on Sleep

Researchers are finding that short-term high-THC cannabis use reduces the amount of time we spend in REM sleep (the part of the sleep cycle that we spend dreaming). On top of this, long-term use of THC may lead to less sleep overall[7], less time in deep sleep, and frequent awakening in some people. If you’re experiencing such difficulties, you might want to switch to high-CBD cultivars, especially in the evening. Ongoing studies are probing the cannabinoid to see if it can help with insomnia[8] and other sleep issues.

The Effects of Different Cannabinoid Profiles
  • Opt for High-THC Cultivars if You Love That Couchlock Sensation

What’s your favourite type of high? Many cannabis users seek stimulating experiences, whereas others desire the “couch-locking” effect offered by stoning strains. If you want to achieve the latter, you’ll need to opt for high-THC varieties that also pack a good amount of relaxing terpenes, such as myrcene. A good strain for the job? Look no further than Green Gelato.

  • 1:1 Strains Are Less Likely to Impair Your Memory

It’s no secret that smoking high-THC cannabis impacts short-term memory. You’ve likely experienced it, whether you found yourself losing your words in the middle of a sentence or forgetting why you wandered into the kitchen while stoned. These odd events occur because of how THC impacts activity in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory processing. To reduce the chances of short-term memory impairment, choose 1:1 strains that include CBD to buffer the psychoactive effect of THC.

  • Balanced or High-THC Strains Are More Likely to Make You Giggle

Giggles are one of the best parts of being high. You can’t beat those moments when the room erupts with laughter for almost no reason whatsoever. To access these moments of euphoria, you’ll need to invite THC to the party. Balanced CBD:THC strains will get you part-way there, but high-THC titans such as Royal Gorilla will really get the job done.

  • You’re More Likely to Experience Cotton Mouth With High-THC Strains

Cotton mouth gets annoying, especially if you use cannabis often. However, most cannabis users are prepared for this familiar side effect with bottles of water and glasses of juice. Now that you know how widespread the effects of THC are in the body, it shouldn’t surprise you to discover that it also influences saliva production. The cannabinoid achieves this by binding to receptors in regions of the brain responsible for sending signals that prompt saliva production.

  • High-THC Strains Help to Unlock Creativity

Innumerable musicians, artists, and writers credit cannabis for inspiring some of their best work. However, almost all of them were using high-THC buds—not CBD. If you want to release some pent-up creativity as you pursue your next project, blaze some THC-rich buds filled with energetic terpenes; we recommend Shogun.

Does CBD Counteract THC?

Although the research can be conflicting, it does appear that CBD counteracts some of the psychoactive effects of THC. However, the two molecules appear to work in harmony rather than in conflict, offering a more pleasant experience as a result. Future research will determine just how effective this relationship is—and why.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients | Neuropsychopharmacology https://www.nature.com
  2. Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  3. Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  4. Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class journal research https://journals.sagepub.com
  6. Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of THC:CBD Extract and THC Extract in Patients with Intractable Cancer-Related Pain - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  7. Using Marijuana As A Sleep Aid https://www.sleepfoundation.org
  8. CBD as a Sleep Aid https://www.sleepfoundation.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: