Cannabis flower with balanced THC and CBD produced less anxiety and paranoia than THC-only strains | Research

The takeaway

In a naturalistic trial, cannabis flower with equal THC and CBD content produced similar positive effects but significantly less paranoia and anxiety than THC-dominant flower, with lower plasma THC levels.

Cannabis consumers, dispensary staff, and harm reduction advocates.

Balanced THC:CBD flower: same positive effects, less paranoia and anxiety

What the researchers found

Among 159 regular cannabis users randomly assigned to three chemovars, the THC+CBD chemovar (9% THC, 10% CBD) produced similar positive mood effects but significantly less paranoia and anxiety compared to the THC-dominant chemovar (24% THC, 1% CBD). Users of the THC+CBD flower also had lower plasma THC and higher plasma CBD concentrations.

Why it matters

Most commercially available cannabis is THC-dominant. This study provides evidence that balanced THC:CBD products may offer the desired effects with fewer negative psychological effects.

The numbers in context

159 participants (94 male, 65 female). THC+CBD chemovar: 9% THC, 10% CBD. THC-dominant: 24% THC, 1% CBD. THC+CBD users had less paranoia and anxiety with similar positive mood effects.

How the study worked

Randomized trial with at-home administration of three cannabis flower chemovars: THC-dominant (24% THC, 1% CBD), THC+CBD (9% THC, 10% CBD), and CBD-dominant (1% THC, 23% CBD). 159 regular users assessed in a mobile pharmacology lab before, immediately after, and 1 hour after use.

What this study cannot tell us

Naturalistic at-home use means dosing was not controlled. Different THC concentrations between chemovars mean effects could be due to lower THC rather than CBD presence. Regular cannabis users may not represent occasional users.

How to read the evidence

Randomized design with plasma cannabinoid measurement, though naturalistic dosing and confounded THC concentrations limit conclusions.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

From a harm reduction perspective, promoting balanced THC:CBD products in legal markets could reduce negative psychological effects while maintaining the positive experiences users seek.

Questions still open

Is the reduced anxiety due to CBD's presence or simply lower THC content? Would balanced products reduce cannabis-related emergency department visits?

Common questions

Should people choose balanced THC:CBD cannabis?

This study suggests balanced products may offer similar positive effects with fewer negative psychological experiences. However, the reduced anxiety could be partly due to lower THC content rather than CBD alone.

Did CBD-dominant flower produce positive effects?

The study focused on comparing THC-dominant vs THC+CBD. The CBD-dominant chemovar (1% THC, 23% CBD) had very low THC and would not be expected to produce the same psychoactive effects.

Read the original research

Effects of cannabidiol in cannabis flower: Implications for harm reduction.

Addiction biology, 27(1), e13092

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Gibson, Laurel P; Karoly, Hollis C; Ellingson, Jarrod M; Klawitter, Jost; Sempio, Cristina; Squeri, Julia E; Bryan, Angela D; Bidwell, L Cinnamon; Hutchison, Kent E. (2022). Effects of cannabidiol in cannabis flower: Implications for harm reduction.. Addiction biology, 27(1), e13092. https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.13092