The idea that CBD can balance out the effects of THC in cannabis has long been a popular belief among users and researchers alike. THC, the main intoxicating component of the cannabis plant, and CBD, the non-intoxicating component, have often been viewed as opposing forces. However, a recent double-blinded clinical trial has shed some light on this misconception. Contrary to popular belief, high doses of CBD may actually enhance the intoxicating effects of THC rather than reducing them.
In the trial, participants who ingested 9 milligrams of THC along with 450 milligrams of CBD reported feeling significantly more “high” in both body and mind compared to when they took THC alone. This unexpected result challenges the notion that CBD can mitigate the negative side effects of THC such as intoxication, cognitive impairment, and anxiety. Researchers found that the high dose of CBD appeared to inhibit the metabolism of THC in the body, leading to an increase in THC concentrations and its psychoactive effects.
The clinical trial, which involved healthy male and female volunteers with prior cannabis experience, demonstrated that lower doses of CBD did not have a significant impact on the intoxicating effects of THC. However, the highest dose of CBD used in the study produced notable changes in various psychoactive measures. The researchers suggested that a “drug-drug interaction” between CBD and THC could explain these findings, with CBD acting as the perpetrator drug and THC as the victim drug.
Interestingly, the level of CBD did not influence participants’ subjective ratings of pain, indicating that CBD alone may not be effective in relieving chronic pain. This aligns with previous clinical trials that found CBD products to be ineffective for chronic pain relief. While the study focused on oral ingestion of CBD and THC, inhalation studies have yielded similar results, casting further doubt on the idea that CBD can nullify the effects of THC.
Neuropharmacologist Geert Groeneveld noted that ongoing trials at the Center for Human Drug Research are exploring the effects of very high doses of pure CBD on the human body. As cannabis continues to grow in popularity as a recreational drug in the United States, it becomes increasingly crucial to understand the interactions between its primary compounds. With more research, we can gain a deeper understanding of how THC and CBD affect the human body and potentially improve the therapeutic applications of cannabis products.
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