Is CBD Oil Better With THC? [Full Spectrum or Broad?]
Full spectrum CBD is all the rage right now. But is it the
best choice for you?
The answer depends, in large part, on your stance on THC.
At this point, most people have heard of CBD. The substance
is still relatively new to the legal market, having only been formally
legalized in the United States at the end of 2018. Due to it's long list of health
benefits, CBD sales have exploded across the country.
With CBD’s growing popularity, you might be wondering, what
type of CBD is right for you?
That’s the question we’re going to help you answer. Is CBD
better with or without THC?
What is THC, and why do some say it's important to CBD?
While you may not be familiar with its impact on CBD, you
have likely heard of THC. It is short for Tetrahydrocannabinol, and like CBD,
it is a
cannabinoid. However, these two cannabis derived compounds have differing
effects on the body, and THC is the cannabinoid in marijuana responsible for
making the user feel high.
Because of its potentially intoxicating effects
of THC, the amount in CBD products is legally limited. To be sold within
the United States - as well as many other places around the world - CBD must
contain no more than 0.3% THC.
States are able to lower that limit if they choose, but they
cannot raise it. As such, the amount of THC in CBD is very low, and far too low
to result in any sort of intoxication for users.
THC is believed to enhance CBD through the so-called “entourage
effect”. The entourage effect holds that CBD works best when all of the
plants naturally occurring components are included - including THC.
The two most well-known types
of CBD are full spectrum and broad spectrum. Both are identical, save for
one critical difference: full spectrum CBD contains THC, while broad spectrum
does not.
Pros of THC in CBD
There is a legitimate debate about the value of THC in CBD,
and there is evidence to support each argument. On one hand, adherents of the
entourage effect believe that THC with CBD provides a better experience, and countless anecdotal reports confirm this idea. There is
also ample scientific evidence to support this idea:
A 2011 study found that THC in CBD may reduce negative side effects, including hunger and anxiety.
A
2019 analysis reviewed the evidence and found that there is strong
theoretical support for the idea that CBD is more effective when it includes
cannabis. This analysis found that "cannabis synergy" exists when the
CBD is present, and is much greater than without it, because of the impact that
THC can have on all other functions of the CBD.
Another study, this
one from 2020, found that CBD which contains THC may be more effective in
battling against the negative effects of mood disorders. This study found that
THC, in small levels and when interacting with the various other components of
cannabinoid oil, could have a unique impact on cells and other aspects of CBD
that enhanced its ability to fight mood changes. Specifically, this addressed
the impact of CBD on anxiety disorders, bipolar, and depression.
Cons of THC in CBD
THC sounds like a no-brainer right? Not so fast.
While the "pro" side is backed by ample evidence,
some research implies that the entourage effect does not, in fact, exist.
A 2020 study examined the actual impact that CBD had on cells
with or without THC, and the study found little to no difference in terms of
the reactions of the cells.
This would imply that the entourage effect does not really
exist and that CBD can have the same impact regardless of whether or not it
contains THC.
Of course, this is just one study, and "truth"
depends on perspective. Furthermore, this study didn't track individual
responses, something that is necessary for a more decisive conclusion to be
reached in this debate.
There is also one more drawback of THC in your CBD products:
a possible positive drug test.
Legally purchased CBD should contain trace amounts of THC,
too low to trigger most drug tests. However, some studies have found that it is
possible to test positive for THC if you only use CBD.
This could lead to a failed drug test, and this is something
that can have massive ramifications on a person's career - or even their
freedom. As such, individuals who are drug tested or may be drug tested should
use extreme caution when purchasing CBD.
There have been many instances of people losing
their jobs over a failed drug test and claiming that this was due to CBD
use.
Again, this is not a common outcome, but it does happen.
Your likelihood of failing
a drug test after using CBD with THC depends on a variety of factors,
including the amount of CBD consumed, sensitivity of the drug test, method of
the drug test, individual metabolism, and personal history of cannabis
use.
So...what's the verdict? CBD oil with THC or without?
There is none. I know it sounds like a cop-out, but it’s
true.
THC is right for some people, and not for others.
There has yet to be a double-blind, placebo study that determines if
people receive more of a benefit as a result of using THC or THC-free CBD. It’s
also possible that the effect varies from individual to individual. On top of
this, you may want to avoid THC for fear of passing a drug test. There are many
reasons to choose either full spectrum or THC-free CBD.
So, what does that mean for you? Well, your best bet may be to try both. Purchase small amounts of high quality full spectrum and THC-free CBD, try them both, and see what impact it has. This will give you a better idea of what type of CBD works for you.