When choosing a cannabis product, you just can't avoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The amount of these two cannabinoids is listed on almost every cannabis product right on the packaging. These two cannabinoids are the most common and well-known among the more than 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant, and for many users, they play a big role in picking a strain or product. Should you go for a strain with high THC, one with high CBD, or something more balanced? In the CBD shop from Green Passion, you'll mainly find CBD flowers, CBD hash, and CBD oil with high CBD and low THC content. Keep reading to learn more about THC and CBD levels in cannabis flowers.
What's the difference between THC-dominant and CBD-dominant flowers (CBD flowers vs. THC flowers)?
Depending on what you like and what you need, you should pick one strain over another. Both THC and CBD have totally different effects, especially in terms of how you feel after using them. While there are some similarities between the two cannabinoids, they're basically quite different and there's a clear difference in the experience between a THC-dominant and a CBD-dominant strain.
Generally, THC-dominant flower strains contain between 10% and 25% THC with a low CBD content, usually under 1%, while CBD-dominant flower strains usually have between 10% and 25% CBD, typically with THC under 1%. Balanced strains can have between 5% and 10% of both THC and CBD. In high concentrations, these two phytocannabinoids create totally different experiences and effects; a high THC content leads to an intoxicating experience, while a strain with high CBD and low THC doesn't cause a high.
When CBD and THC are present in balanced amounts, you're more likely to get a "more balanced" experience. Using THC-dominant cannabis products can cause not only a high, but also various unwanted side effects, which can vary from person to person, like nausea, dizziness, tiredness, dry mouth and trouble concentrating, mood swings, lack of motivation, dry and red eyes, increased appetite, and a racing heart. In Switzerland, strains with more than 1% THC are considered controlled substances, partly because of these potential side effects, and can't be sold freely.
Right now, products with more than 1% THC are only available in Switzerland as medical products (like magistral prescriptions). That's why we only sell CBD flowers, CBD hash, and CBD oils with less than 1% THC in the online shop and store of Green Passion in Switzerland. If you use CBD flowers or CBD hash in moderation, you shouldn't expect any of the side effects mentioned above that can come with THC-dominant cannabis products.
So, which strain should you pick? This guide explains the difference between THC and CBD flowers and shows you when you might want to try one or the other.
How do I know if cannabis flowers have high CBD or THC content?
The easiest way to find out the THC and CBD content of a cannabis product is to read the packaging. Usually, the percentage of THC and CBD is clearly listed on the label. Sometimes, other cannabinoids like cannabigerol (CBG) or cannabinol (CBN) are also listed. Of course, this is only the case if you're buying a legal, regulated cannabis product. Products from the black market usually don't have this info, or it's wrong. We generally advise you not to buy cannabis products from the black market, since they're often contaminated (see more info). To find out the cannabinoid content of black market products, the only option is to have them tested anonymously in a lab (for example: at www.swissdrugtesting.ch).
Typically, THC-dominant cannabis flowers (usually containing about 10% THC or more) have low CBD content (1% or less). On the other hand, CBD flowers typically have little THC (usually 1% or less).
For processed or manufactured products like edibles or concentrates (like extracts), the THC and CBD content is often given as a ratio. For example, if you pick a product labeled “THC: CBD 10:1,” it means the product has ten times more THC than CBD. If you use it, you can expect a pretty strong THC experience. A 1:1 ratio, on the other hand, means the product contains equal parts THC and CBD.
But how do you know which percentage or ratio is right for you? It starts with understanding the effects and experiences linked to each phytocannabinoid, as well as your own goals.
Benefits of CBD flowers, hash, or other CBD products
CBD flowers, CBD hash, or other products with high CBD and low THC content have several features that make them a useful choice for many users. These features include the following:
- Non-intoxicating: Using CBD flowers or CBD hash with high CBD and low THC won’t mess with your senses like a high-THC strain might. That makes these products ideal for people who want and appreciate the positive effects of cannabis, but not the high that comes with THC. Plus, CBD-dominant products are a good pick for anyone looking to lower their THC tolerance or cut back on problematic THC use.
- Calming: CBD has been observed to relax and help reduce stress and anxiety. A 2019 study found that 300 to 600 mg of CBD successfully reduced reported anxiety symptoms in 57 male participants. So if you just want to chill out a bit but don’t want to get knocked out by a high-THC strain, CBD-dominant products might be just what you’re after.
- Not sedating and no other unwanted side effects: Using CBD flowers, CBD hash, or other CBD products with a low THC content of Green Passion won’t leave you glued to the couch. In fact, studies suggest CBD might even boost alertness and focus. CBD-dominant strains probably won’t make you sluggish or unfocused, and they also don’t tend to cause other unwanted side effects like dizziness or nausea, which can happen with some THC-rich strains.
If any of the above situations sound like you, then CBD flowers and CBD hash from Green Passion could be just right for you.
Benefits of THC Flowers
THC-dominant flowers are intoxicating in a way that most CBD-dominant flowers just aren’t. But that’s not the only thing associated with THC flowers; THC flowers and THC-dominant products can also offer some potential therapeutic uses:
- Sleep: There’s evidence that high THC content can help with sleep. This makes THC-dominant strains a good choice for anyone who struggles to get a good night’s rest. On the other hand, some people report a racing heart after using THC, which can actually keep them from falling asleep.
- Pain relief: If you’re dealing with tough-to-manage pain, THC might also help. But you should definitely talk to your doctor about this. Several clinical human studies on cannabis as a pain reliever have shown promising results. For users who don’t mind the intoxicating effects of THC, high-THC products can be an effective choice for pain management. Some people also say they use THC more in the evenings, while they go for CBD-dominant strains during the day.
The Importance of Terpene Content
Both the THC and CBD content in a product are important indicators of what you can expect from a particular cannabis flower, but they’re not the only things that matter. It’s also important to consider the other cannabinoids in the flower, as well as a whole group of different compounds called “terpenes.”
Terpenes are aromatic and flavor compounds found in a huge variety of plants worldwide. There are over 200 terpenes in cannabis, and these compounds can really shape your cannabis experience. Some terpene combos can make you sleepy, while others can give you an energizing effect. Some are great for pain relief, others for stress relief.
The way terpenes and cannabinoids work together to boost each other’s effects is called the “entourage effect.” Researchers are still figuring out the mechanisms behind how cannabinoids and terpenes do their thing individually, and how they interact when they show up together.
Not all high-THC strains, for example, will make you sleepy. So if you’re looking for a strain that does, you should look for one with a high content of terpenes like myrcene or linalool. There’s also evidence that a high amount of the terpene beta-caryophyllene can have a pain-relieving effect.
THC and CBD are good indicators when choosing
If you're looking for a solid foundation for choosing a specific strain of cannabis flower, you should start by paying attention to the THC and CBD content. To keep it simple: if you want to avoid getting high and other unwanted side effects, steer clear of THC. If you're after a high or the effects of THC, you can consider strains with a high THC content.
Remember: THC and CBD levels are good indicators to help you understand how a certain strain or cannabis product might affect you, but it's also important to know about all the other compounds in the product. While a high-THC strain might seem effective for someone looking for a good night's sleep, some high-THC strains can actually do the opposite. Likewise, a high-CBD strain won't always automatically make you feel sharp and alert, which is why it's important to consider the other ingredients too.
We get that finding the right cannabis product for you can sometimes be tricky. That's when the team at Green Passion is here for you, so you can reach out anytime. We don't just want to hook you up with top-quality cannabis products like CBD flower and CBD hash, but also help you learn and grow together.
If you have any questions, our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you make the best choice for your needs and goals.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4023456/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224384/
https://ethoscannabis.com/learn/the-ecs-endocannabinoid-system/
https://ethoscannabis.com/learn/terpenes-myrcene/
https://ethoscannabis.com/learn/terpenes-linalool/
https://ethoscannabis.com/learn/terpenes-beta-caryophyllene/
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/medizin-und-forschung/heilmittel/med-anwend-cannabis.html
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