A novel study has examined the differential effects of various THC:CBD ratios, using widely available chemovars (1). The team assessed 159 regular cannabis users before, immediately after, and one hour after ad libitum administration of one of three randomly assigned cannabis flower chemovars: THC-dominant (24% THC, 1% CBD), THC+CBD (9% THC, 10% CBD), and CBD-dominant (1% THC, 23% CBD). Plasma cannabinoids, as well as positive (high, elation) and negative (paranoia and anxiety) subjective effects were measured at each time point.
As expected, researchers found that participants who used the CBD-dominant and THC + CBD chemovars had significantly less THC and more CBD in plasma samples than participants who used the THC-dominant chemovar. More interestingly, the THC + CBD chemovar group was associated with similar levels of positive subjective effects as the THC-dominant chemovar – but, crucially, with significantly less paranoia and anxiety.
- L Gibson et al., Addict Biol (2021). Online ahead of print. Available at: https://bit.ly/3kWe2Cd
