Can CBD Reverse the Effects of THC?

Public opinion about the cannabis plant has changed dramatically over the past few decades. In the 1970s, both the hemp and marijuana varieties of the cannabis plant were swept up in the “War on Drugs” and declared a Schedule 1 controlled substance. This made the plant completely illegal on a federal level. However, as the wellness benefits of cannabis were increasingly touted from overwhelming anecdotal evidence, states like California began to legalize its medical use as early as 1996. More states allowed its use for medical purposes and, in 2012, Colorado voters passed Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana’s use for recreational purposes. As of 2021, only six states still declare marijuana illegal for both medicinal and recreational use.

With marijuana’s increased popularity and legalization, more and more consumers are experiencing the effects of THC gummies and other products along with the other helpful cannabinoids like CBD that are contained in both marijuana and hemp-based items. However, while the benefits of these cannabinoids are often enjoyed, continuous or heavy use of a THC-intense product can result in unwanted side effects. This is where the use of CBD may help reverse some of the effects of THC.

How THC Affects the Body

Unfortunately, heavy or extended use of a product with hefty tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content could cause unwanted side effects. These side effects could be mild, like dry mouth or experiencing “the munchies,” to more extreme side effects like anxiousness or paranoia. THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain to produce a euphoric experience for the user. However, the introduction of too much THC can bind and overstimulate the endocannabinoid receptors in your brain. This includes the amygdala area of the brain that helps regulate emotions like anxiousness, stress, and paranoia. Overstimulation may cause the user to experience these negative emotions.

How CBD Minimizes or Reverses the Effects of THC

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid like THC, but it has a different effect on the body and mind. CBD does not directly bind to the endocannabinoid receptors the way that THC does. CBD is known to block THC from activating the endocannabinoid receptors.

Additional research by the University of Western Ontario was done to explore CBD’s buffering consequence on THC. Researchers studied laboratory rats to determine THC and CBD’s role as it affects the molecule in the hippocampus section of the brain called the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK). This molecule is known to trigger the neuro-psychiatric reaction to THC. The study found that CBD blocks the ability of THC to overstimulate the ERK in the hippocampus and thus prevent its adverse effects.

Other research and anecdotal evidence have shown that CBD blocks these adverse effects of THC and enhances the positive attributes of THC, like its relief of bodily discomforts and enhanced relaxation, for example.

The good news is that unless you are enjoying a THC distillate, the THC or CBD product you are using likely has more than just THC and CBD. The product would also contain other helpful cannabinoids as well as terpenes and flavonoids. These are all components of the cannabis plant that work in tandem to produce many holistic benefits in what is commonly known as “The Entourage Effect.” This effect simply means that a group of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, working together, produce far more significant benefits to the user than just a THC or CBD isolate alone. Everyday CBD products that have this combination of elements are labeled as “full-spectrum.” Therefore, this combination of TCH, CBD, and other cannabinoids already naturally work together to lessen the negative effects of the TCH while enhancing its positive attributes.

Other Ways to Counteract THC

If you find yourself in a situation where you have ingested too much THC, a dose of a high CBD content product that doesn’t contain THC, like our THC Free Tincture Oil, would be an ideal solution to counteract the repercussions of the THC. However, if you don’t have a product like that available, here are a few suggestions.

• Relax - Take a warm bath, color, listen to peaceful music, or do something else you enjoy to help you relax.
• Smell some pepper – It may sound strange, but the terpenes in pepper share chemical similarities with cannabinoids. So getting a whiff of pepper may help. However, be careful not to get too close, or you could find yourself sneezing your head off.
• Drink fresh lemonade - Limonene is another terpene that is found in lemons. Whipping up a quick glass of lemonade using fresh lemon and drinking it down should help to counteract the THC.
• Do alternate nostril breathing - Hold one side of your nose closed and breath in and out a few times, then switch sides and repeat the process.

PharmaCBD: Providing Worry-free Hemp-Derived Products

At PharmaCBD, you don’t have to worry about negative THC side effects from our products. Take our CBD Elderberry Gummies, for example. They are one of our customers’ favorites and also one of our many full-spectrum products. Because it is full-spectrum, each gummy not only carries a potent 20 milligrams of CBD, it also has other terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids like THC. But don’t worry about any adverse side effects from the THC. None of our products carry more than the 0.3% THC content that is legally allowed, and this trace amount of THC is not known to cause any intoxicating reactions.

Another line of products we carry that is heavy in THC is our line of Delta 8 THC offerings, like our Hemp Derived Delta-8 Cherry Sours. While this product line is rich in Delta 8 THC, this cannabinoid is different from Delta 9 THC, the primary cannabinoid found in marijuana and the culprit behind the negative THC side-effects. Delta 8 THC has a far lower psychoactive effect on the user and is less likely to cause a negative reaction.

At PharmaCBD, we bring you worry-free products to fit every lifestyle. Shop from our extensive inventory today!