Real Talk About THC

THC and CBD are well-known acronyms in the hemp and cannabis industry. People often pit them against each other, then tout one as being better than the other.

But what if using both together achieved better results?

To get a better understanding of how the two work together, let’s look at what THC is, what it does, and how it works in your body.

What is THC?

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the chemical responsible for cannabis psychological effects. The body naturally produces cannabinoids, and THC interacts with these cannabinoid chemicals. It acts like the cannabinoid chemicals that the body makes naturally.

These chemicals interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which controls various functions of the body, such as how we feel, move, or react. Other functions of the ECS include regulating sleep, stimulating appetite, and forming memories.

The cannabinoid chemicals our body naturally produces interact with the ECS to regulate these important body functions. The ECS is connected to our central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain plays a central role in the control of most bodily functions, including awareness, movements, sensations, thoughts, speech, and memory.

What Does THC Do?

When you use cannabis, the THC interacts with the ECS system by binding to receptors, just like endocannabinoids.

The receptors that THC (and natural cannabinoids aka endocannabinoids) bind to are our CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors mostly present themselves in the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system, or CNS). On the other hand, CB2 receptors mainly show up in the peripheral nervous system, which refers to the nerves that lie outside of the CNS.

What is the Entourage Effect?

When you use a product that contains THC, your body is taking in hundreds of botanical compounds. Each of these compounds has its own unique effects and benefits. Plus, they often work differently (or stronger) when other compounds are present. This is the entourage effect.

To get a better understanding of how the entourage effect works, let’s look at a 2010 study. Cancer patients who were experiencing pain received pure THC extract.

The other group received an extract containing both THC and CBD. Can you guess which group experienced less pain? Patients who received the THC/CBD combination.

But why is that?

When you combine CBD with other compounds, the multiple compounds synergistically work together rather than alone.

The Entourage Effect of CBD

Full Spectrum CBD oil has a very low percentage of THC, however, THC is clearly therapeutic. Hundreds of clinical trials have demonstrated that THC has very relevant therapeutic properties.

It takes experimentation to get the dosage just right. But once you master it, you can achieve your desired effect. Use our Wellness Tracker to help.

On the lookout for clean, naturally potent CBD? Give Way West Wellness a try. We use a clean CO2 extraction process to ensure our CBD products maintain potency and provide the most powerful path to the “entourage effect”. Try our Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture today.