Entering the world of cannabis can be overwhelming. Step one foot inside a dispensary and you’ll be confronted with dozens of strains, brands, delivery methods, and — of course — different CBD to THC ratios.
The ratio between these two plant compounds, called cannabinoids, tells us a couple of important things; first, it communicates how much of each compound is present in the formulation and second, it gives you an idea of whether (or not) that product will be intoxicating.
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CBD:THC ratios: the basics
THC is famous for producing the intoxicating effects we all associate with marijuana, but too much of this tricky compound can cause uncomfortable symptoms like confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, a fast heart rate, and even delusions or hallucinations. That’s where CBD comes in; it has not only displayed anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic properties, it can “prevent psychotic-like symptoms induced by high doses of THC,” explained the authors of a 2012 study.
This symbiotic relationship between CBD and THC is known as the “entourage effect,” a term first coined in 1998. The entourage effects tell us that CBD and THC work better in combination than in isolation.
Research backs up this idea, too. In a 2010 study that tested different cannabis preparations in patients with intractable pain, the THC-only treatment was no better than the placebo while the THC-CBD combination treatment showed significant beneficial effects. Another study on breast cancer cells, published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology, concluded that a full-cannabis extract treatment was superior to pure THC.
Real people on how they found their perfect ratio
Knowing this, it’s clear we want to look for a cannabis product with both CBD and THC. But the question still remains: How much of each? Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. Finding the right CBD:THC ratio will depend on your body, your individual tolerance to THC, and your personal goals. For many people, that means a lot of trial and error.
So to help you on the path to finding YOUR perfect CBD:THC ratio, we tracked down three real people who found theirs:
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1. Liza, tutor
When I was trying to find my ideal CBD:THC ratio, I went to my local dispensary and asked to experiment with products that had a few different ratio—keep in mind that anything lower than (8:1 or 4:1, depending on your tolerance to THC) starts to become psychoactive though, so be mindful of your ratios.
I bought products with ratios between 8:1 and 20:1 to test if there was a significant difference in the effects, and I grabbed products of all kinds to see what ingestion method I liked best: pre-rolled joints, vape pens, gummies, sublingual tinctures, and beyond.
After several weeks of experimentation, I figured out that I loved a 20:1 tincture to calm me down during the day (Prof Snooks makes a great formula), a 10:1 vaporizer pen for sleep (shoutout to Dosist Calm), and—surprise!—a 3:1 gummy from Kiva (the Sparkling Pear flavor) when I was looking for a high for a museum date or day at the park, without the anxiety I usually experience with THC-heavy products.
The best advice I can give is that everyone’s body chemistry is different, so just because your friend likes a specific product or can handle three gummies doesn’t mean you can or should. Make sure to experiment with a variety of products before you write cannabis off.
But most importantly, always start small. If the dose on the package says 1 dropper full or 1 gummy, take half. If it’s a pen or a joint, take one hit. Wait a few hours and if you feel fine, then up your dose.
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2. Reina, personal trainer
When I learned that THC and CBD pair well together, I was skeptical but curious. I’d experimented with CBD oils and vegan gummies in the past for anxiety, but the results were hot and cold—sometimes they worked, sometimes they didn’t. I decided to try out some CBD/THC blend oils, specifically ones with ratios 1:1, 2:1, and 8:1 CBD to THC.
The 8:1 is a great “functioning” ratio for me. When I’m feeling that ping of stress at work (or I want to keep that ping from coming on), I turn to the 8:1 for a mild calmness. It helps put my mind at ease while also allowing me to focus.
The 2:1 ratio is my go-to for more serious anxiety—the chest tightening, mind racing kind that we all get when we think about uncomfortable things, whether it’s money, relationships, work, or the future. When that comes on, I stop what I’m doing, take the 2:1 and focus on my breathing. Slowly but surely, the unsavory feelings subside.
The 1:1 blend is a bit more intense for me, but if I were to have a panic attack or really couldn’t calm down, I’d give this another try. I know a lot of people are nervous to try CBD (and just as many feel that way about THC), but researching correct doses and experimenting with several different ratios wasn’t scary and nothing bad ever happened. It’s all about finding what you like and what your body responds well to—and having the courage and knowledge to do so.
3. Gabby, brand consultant
I’m very sensitive to THC, so I was really nervous to try formulations with more THC. That said, I’d heard so much about the entourage effect, I was willing to move forward. I went to a dispensary in California and was lucky enough to get my hands on a Care By Design CBD Sample Pack, which contains mini bottles of all five of their CBD:THC ratios.
This was such a great way to experiment without having to buy a full-sized product and potentially waste money. I started with the 18:1 oil and took one drop under my tongue. I waited for about an hour and took the full dose, two drops.
I repeated the same process with the 8:1 and 4:1 all the way down to a 2:1 ratio, which is where I started to feel the effects of THC. I like the 8:1 oil for general wellness but keep the 4:1 on hand for when I feel like I could benefit from something stronger. I gave the 1:1 oil to a friend who isn’t quite as sensitive to THC.
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Gretchen Lidicker is a writer, researcher, and author of the book CBD Oil Everyday Secrets: A Lifestyle Guide To Hemp-Derived Health & Wellness. She has a masters degree in physiology and complementary and alternative medicine from Georgetown University and is the former health editor at mindbodygreen. She’s been featured in the New York Times, Marie Claire, Forbes, SELF, The Times, Huffington Post, and Travel + Leisure.