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Complete Guide to Choosing and Using THC & CBD

Published on
13 April 2021
Jessica Reid

There are many options available on the market and it can become a little overwhelming when trying to choose the right product for you. Some users may be only be interested in psychoactive effects (the high) of THC along with the coinciding benefits. Others may not like the “High” at all and wish to stay in the comforts of CBD products.

THC, CBD or Both

It is hard to say no to some of the great potentials of THC once you learn how it can help! Thankfully, CBD has the ability to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC while prolonging the therapeutic benefits. More products are becoming available on the market with a THC:CBD Ratio that allows any curious customer to dabble in the effects of THC without any over whelming feelings. There are also ways to ingest Low doses of THC and Higher doses of CBD separately.

Combining the consumption of THC and CBD is essential for maximizing the health benefits you are after. When CBD and THC are taken together, they enhance and prolong their individual benefits for the user. Take a look at the following benefits that both THC and CBD can have for you!

Benefits of THC

  • Protects Against Cancer
  • Reduces Nausea
  • Increases Appetite
  • Anti-Depressant
  • Relieves Spasms
  • Reduces Anxiety
  • Muscle Relaxant
  • Protects Nervous System
  • Relieves Chron’s Disease
  • Anti-Inflammetory
  • Antioxidant
  • Relieves Glaucoma
  • Aids with Insomnia

Benefits of CBD

  • Relieve Migraines
  • Aid with Depression
  • Decrease Seizures
  • Reduces Anxiety
  • Antibacterial
  • Causes Drowsiness
    • In some people
  • Anti-Diabetic
  • Improves Blood Circulation
  • Relieves Psoriasis
  • Bone Stimulant
  • Relieves Arthritis
    • incl. Rheumatoid
  • Anti-psychotic
  • Protects against Cancer
  • Reduces Nausea
  • Reduces Pain
  • Relieves Spasms
  • Muscle Relaxant
  • Protects nervous system
  • Relieves Chron’s Disease
  • Anti-Inflammatory
  • Antioxidant

A lot to take in right?  I bet you never knew how much CBD and THC can really do for your body and the possible improvement towards your quality of life… but now what? How do you find the best way to reap these benefits in a manageable way that your comfortable with? Lets explore some options that are available to you…

Smoking or Vaping Cannabis

One of the most common ways to use Cannabis is by smoking or vaping. Many people who choose this route are often after the effects of THC. Most Cannabis Flower and Cannabis Concentrates are focused on delivering THC rather than CBD. When someone smokes cannabis they are delivered fast acting relief that is enjoyed for 1-3 hours.

There are many Cannabis products used for smoking such as, Cannabis Flower and High THC concentrates like Hash, Shatter, Live Resin, Butter, Terp Sauce and Diamonds.  Cannabis flower and Hash are most often smoked as a rolled cannabis cigarette (a Joint) or with a tool made specifically for smoking Cannabis.  The majority of these tools are called Pipes and Bongs. High THC Concentrates can also be used as an additive in a Joint or smoked by using a method called “Dabbing.” This involves high heat and a “dabbing rig” and delivers a “one hit wonder” type of high for the user.

Other THC Concentrates, more specifically THC Distillate and even CBD Distillate, can be infused with a carrier oil and used for vaping. Vape pen’s are a Cannabis tool used to inhale THC concentrates. Allowing the user to receive a similar high to smoking cannabis but with a vapor instead of a smoke. Providing a healthier option for the user’s body. Vape pens also allow for quick discrete relief on the go.

In addition to the diverse methods used to inhale Cannabis, each Cannabis product also contains it’s own characteristics that play a role in the benefits received from THC. These characteristics are prominent in the Cannabis strains and strain types used to make the product. 

Ingesting THC or CBD

The alternative to Smoking or Vaping Cannabis is Ingesting Cannabis. This is a highly effective way to reap the benefits of both CBD and THC taken together or separately. The world of edibles has grown so much, you can find practically anything turned into a dose of THC or CBD. There are fruit flavored gummies of all sorts, Juice Crystals, Lollipops, Chocolate, baked goods, hot drinks, you name it. There are options for high dose or low dose in THC or CBD as well as THC:CBD ratios that combine both.

Looks super yummy right?! Be careful though, one gummy bear may not seem like a lot but for a first time user it can sure pack a punch! If you are not feeling treats there are alternatives like tinctures and capsules.  Tinctures are a liquid base often offered with a dropper to measure your own doses, these come available in THC and CBD and both. Capsules are the same as tinctures but in a pill form to avoid any undesirable taste. For a more in depth explanation about the pro’s and con’s of ingesting Cannabis take a look at the following video…

When considering ingesting as your delivery method for THC its important to know how your body experiences it. It takes time for our digestive systems to break food down, so when you eat an edible there is a delay in effects.

In comparison to smoking or vaping and feeling the effects of THC almost instantly, you can expect a 45–90-minute wait. Once edibles begin to take effect you can feel their effects for up to 6 hours! This is great if you are free of responsibilities for the day or for evening/night users. Ingesting allows relief from symptoms such as pain and muscle spasms for longer periods of time while enabling a full night’s rest!

If you feel edibles is the route you would like to explore, success is simply finding the dose of CBD and THC that is right for you. If you have never tried ingesting THC or CBD we suggest starting small and working your way to a higher dose slowly.

THC

Start with 5mg and wait 90minutes before assessing how you feel. If you are not experiencing any relief then take another 5mg. If you are feeling too much of the psychoactive effects of THC then take 75-100mg of CBD to help counteract those effects. Remember, if you do not feel the “high” from THC it does not mean that your body isn’t benefiting from it, especially if you are taking it with CBD!

CBD

Start with 10mg per day and taken in the morning or during the day. After a few days, if your not noticing any changes or feeling relief from the symptoms your are hoping to aid, double your dose. Monitor for another three days and gradually raise again, until you’ve reached your desired affects. CBD can have different effects for different people, especially for sleeping. For some it may help them sleep for others it may do the opposite. For relief of severe symptoms, dose 2-3 times per day.

If you are taking CBD with THC and are new to THC, try starting with a 4:1 Ratio. Having 4 times the amount of CBD than THC. This will help calm the effects of THC so you can adjust during your first few experiences.

Please note: This is a general suggestion made by many people with Cannabis expertise, not medical advice. It is based on minor to moderate symptoms for many ailments. If you are experiencing severe symptoms or using Cannabis for Cancer you will need a specific product, such as Phoenix Tears, and a stronger dose schedule. For recommendation on a THC and CBD solution for severe symptoms/ailments we encourage you to reach out to the TLC Family by emailing us at contact@mytlc.ca

THC & CBD Topicals

Last but not least, lets not be naive about the great potential of Cannabis Topicals. These are Cannabis products that you use on your skin. There are many topicals available in different strengths, some with CBD some with THC and some with both!

Cannabis Topicals are great for Skin Conditions, Skin Cancer, Muscle spasms, Muscles soreness, Headaches, Sunspots, Arthritis and more. You do not get “high” from having THC in your chosen cannabis topical and these products can be great for fast relief. Especially when paired with Smoking or Ingesting Cannabis. Available in balms, lotions, bath bombs, massage oils, lip balms, and much more!

We hope this article has given you the knowledge and tools to start your healing journey with Cannabis. You can find more information on our products and methods of Cannabis use on the products pages found under the Shop tab in the menu above. 

Again, if you have any questions we would love to hear from you directly! Email the TLC Family at contact@mytlc.ca

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