CBD amplifies the adverse effects of THC, new study finds

A new study has uncovered a controversy over the interaction between the psychoactive cannabinoid THC and its gentle counterpart CBD. It has long been thought that combining CBD with THC enhances the therapeutic benefits of both while limiting some of the side effects associated with THC.

The exact mechanisms have been hypothesized, with the message being loud and clear: CBD is the perfect complement and antidote to THC. However, the results of this new study found that is not entirely the case.

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Details of the study

A group of researchers from the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at Johns Hopkins University conducted a randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects and side effects of edible cannabis products containing both THC and CBD in equal amounts.

The study model was a double-blind crossover involving 18 healthy adults. This included three randomized outpatient testing sessions; each session one week apart. Participants were divided into three groups and offered brownies with one of the three:

• No cannabis extract (placebo)
• 20 mg Δ9-THC without CBD
• 20 mg Δ9-THC + 640 mg CBD

The group that received CBD in addition to THC experienced more serious side effects compared to the group that received THC alone. Researchers found that CBD inhibits the breakdown (metabolism) of THC, thus increasing its adverse effects by increasing circulating levels and the active metabolite.

Conflicting Evidence: Is There an Ideal Way to Mix CBD with THC?

There are a number of studies that contradict the main claim in this article that CBD worsens the side effects of THC. Let’s look at a few:

A 2019 study was conducted by Western University to examine how CBD affects the psychiatric side effects of THC. The rats that were offered THC were more anxious and anxious, while the rats that were offered both CBD and THC were less anxious and anxious.

RELATED: Does CBD Minimize the Harmful Effects of THC? New study has answer

Researchers found that CBD mitigates some of the psychotropic side effects caused by THC by inhibiting THC’s ability to “overstimulate the ERK pathway.” The results of the study were published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Another systematic review examined the influence of CBD on the acute effects of THC. The researchers found that CBD reduced the side effects of THC in most studies. However, these studies have used different ratios of THC to CBD.

RELATED: If THC percentage doesn’t matter, why not just smoke CBD?

As the medical cannabis industry takes shape, it’s imperative to accelerate research to find the best ways to deliver cannabinoids to patients.

This article originally appeared on MyCannabis.com and has been republished with permission.