In short, CBD can actually interfere with some of the desirable effects of THC. For instance, it makes no sense to use CBD for insomnia, since CBD actually promotes wakefulness.
Is CBD or THC Better for Treating Cancer Patients?
When you compare CBD and THC one-on-one, THC pulls more weight, at least in terms of pain alleviation and sleep promotion. THC is also more beneficial with regard to its cancer-fighting properties, which have been demonstrated in various studies on marijuana and cancer (though claims that “Cannabis can cure cancer” are hyperbole).
CBD may also have some use in fighting cancer. As a 2007 study in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics noted, “CBD… can significantly decrease Id-1 expression in metastatic breast cancer cells leading to the down-regulation of tumor aggressiveness.”
However, to quote researcher Guillermo Velasco of Complutense University of Madrid, “In my opinion as a scientist… THC is the compound that has the most potent anti-cancer activity. CBD is helping — we tried a lot of combinations of THC and CBD because it’s good for avoiding the side effects of the therapy… but, definitely THC is important.”
The bottom line is that the Entourage Effect should be embraced, because cannabinoids are most effective when they’re all used together. Even THC – the most medically valuable cannabinoid, to our current understanding – works best when balanced with other cannabinoids.
-Dr. Jordan Tishler
Frontiers research also suggested that “anxiety-inducing effects of THC can be suppressed by CBD,” citing a German study conducted in 1982, in which “It was verified that CBD blocks the anxiety provoked by delta 9-THC.” Unfortunately, “[T]his effect also extended to mari[j]uana-like effects and to other subjective alterations induced by delta 9-THC” – which can include relaxation, promotion of sleep, and other positives.
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