In this post we will explore how to find your balance with balanced medical cannabis products.
Table of contents
What is a 1:1 or balanced cannabis product?
Balanced medical cannabis products are any cannabis product that has a similar ratio of the cannabinoids THC and CBD. These products are commonly referred to as “1:1’s” or said out loud as “one-to-one’s”. The ratio signifies THC content of the left and CBD content on the right-hand side of the equation. Though we call this category of products “balanced” this can also include unique ratio products that contain various levels of THC and CBD such as 1:3, 1:4 1:5.
Keep the “balance”! Don’t confuse the terms 1:1 & hybrid
Remember from our last blog post, that cannabis also has cultivar characteristics known as indica and/or sativa. When these characteristics are combined, those cultivars are known as “hybrids”. This is re-iterated here, to clarify that you can have a “balanced, hybrid” cultivar or product. This means that the product will have approximately even amounts of THC and CBD cannabinoids, as well as a split of indica and sativa characteristics.
1:1 Products and the entourage effect
So, what makes balanced, 1:1 products so special? It’s the “entourage effect”! The entourage effect occurs when two medicinal compounds work together to produce a positive therapeutic outcome. This is scientifically proven in pharmacy and is not just limited to cannabis. In the case of cannabis, the small amount of THC can help to “kick start” the effects of CBD. Conversely, CBD is shown to modulate or dampen the impairing effects of THC.
It’s also interesting to note that thanks to the entourage effect of cannabinoids and terpenes working together, many patients report comparable or better relief of symptoms using a 1:1 product than products only containing high THC.
Why use 1:1 products?
1:1, balanced cannabis products can be extremely useful in a number of situations:
- Patients who need to medicate during the day, but wish to limit THC intake and effects
- Those who are new to cannabis, wish to avoid feelings of impairment, or when THC sensitivities pose a challenge
- Patients who have not found relief of symptoms when using low THC high CBD only products
- Patients who would like a gentle THC experience at night, to help with sleep
What balanced products could you try?
As a medical cannabis patient, there are many balanced products to choose from. You can find ingestible oils, capsules and sprays for longer lasting effects. However, for short term relief, you may look towards inhalable products such as dry flower, kief, hash, rosins or vape pen concentrates. Be sure to look for and compare the CBD and THC concentrations to adjust your dose accordingly. If you have questions about your dose, please book an appointment with your prescribing clinician.
With so many products to navigate, Harvest Medicine’s balanced price watch pages are an excellent shopping support resource. Follow the links below to start comparing products.
Also, recently released, Beacon Medical Balanced Extra Strength topical cream is getting a lot of positive feedback from patients!
Talk to us about balanced products for you
It is important to note that 1:1 products still do contain THC and can be impairing, so the same cautions apply around safe consumption. Do not consume prior to or during driving, operating heavy machinery or when your full concentration is required.
So, if you are looking to add some THC into your dosing schedule, interested in reducing THC consumption, or just not finding the efficacy you’re seeking with CBD only, consider a balanced medical cannabis product. Our healthcare practitioners and educators will be happy to guide you through the process and assist with dosages and product selection. Reach out anytime at 1-844-488-4633 or by email at info@hmed.ca. Sometimes…it really is all about balance!
References:
Russo, E.B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology.163(7):1344-64. PDF
Mcpartland J.M., Duncan, M., Di marzo, V., Pertwee, R.G,. (2015). Are cannabidiol and Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabivarin negative modulators of the endocannabinoid system? A systematic review. British Journal of Pharmacology.172(3):737-53. PDF
Gill, E.W., Patonm W.D., Pertweem R.G., (1920). Preliminary experiments on the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabis. I. 228:134–136. PDF
(2009). Journal of Agriculture & Food Chemistry. 57, 12, 5480-5485
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