Most cannabis consumers love THC. But, is there any benefit to being a little less high? Now that more 1:1 strains are hitting the market, herb lovers are getting a taste of the incredible versatility of the cannabis plant. While many high-THC strains and products can be seen as the cannabis equivalent of hard liquor, 1:1 cannabis strains are more like an everyday table wine. Here’s why you should be smoking a 1:1 strain.
What are 1:1 cannabis strains?
Not all strains are the same. In today’s high-tech cannabis world, there are a wide variety of flowers to choose from. The most popular strains are often high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound causes the classic cannabis “high”. Many contemporary hybrids contain 20 percent THC or more, making them strongly psychoactive.
Other strains, however, are high in another dominant cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are the active chemical components of the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound that does not produce a high, is becoming more of a household term these days.
While CBD is generally not thought of as psychoactive, it does have an effect on the brain. CBD boosts mood and relieves anxiety, causing some general feelings of positive well-being. Some strains, like ACDC, can contain up to 20 percent CBD, meaning that they will not produce a mind-altering or overly sedative experience at all.
1:1 cannabis strains fall in between these two extremes, often producing a fairly even ratio of both THC and CBD. These strains are often categorized as high-CBD strains, but these flowers have benefits that CBD or THC dominant strains cannot offer.
It’s rare to find any strain that produces over 30 percent total cannabinoids. 1:1 strains tend to produce anywhere between 5 and 15 percent THC and CBD each.
Why you should be smoking 1:1 strains
There are many reasons why 1:1 strains are downright amazing. Perfect for the day, 1:1 strains don’t produce the same type of cognitive impairments that make high-THC strains famous. Even 1:1 strains categorized as indicas tend to produce a subtle, calm relaxation rather than the deep sedation some types of cannabis can provide.
Perfect for busy professionals or anyone who needs to just take the edge off without drifting too far into a psychoactive experience, 1:1 strains may provide a very slight buzz that is anything but intense or overwhelming.
Ultra high-CBD strains will not provide this slight alteration at all, which is one of the primary reasons CBD buds are not popular among recreational consumers.
Unsurprisingly, 1:1 strains strike the perfect balance between the two. While not completely psychoactive-free, these strains make for great options for those times when you need a lighter, relaxed, and jolly cannabis experience.
Concentrating on mental tasks during the workday is easy with 1:1 strains, as is winding down before a trip home or loosening up muscles before hitting the gym.
Medicinal benefits of 1:1 strains
When it comes to medical cannabis, every individual will have specific needs. While some people may need the heavy-handed effects of THC to manage stress or sleep through the night, others may find that the unique nature of 1:1 strains makes a perfect new addition to the medicine cabinet.
Believe it or not, combining THC and CBD may improve the therapeutic effects of both strains. Both cannabinoids work together synergistically to moderate the overall effect of any given strain.
This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect and suggests that cannabinoids work better in combination with one another than they do on their own.
In fact, one pharmaceutical company, GW Pharmaceuticals, already markets a multiple sclerosis drug, Sativex, which contains a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC. When both of these compounds are combined, patients experience enhanced pain control and reduced spasticity. In Canada, Sativex is also available to patients for the treatment of cancer-related pain.
In general, strains that contain a diverse amount of cannabinoids and corresponding aroma molecules (terpenes) are considered some of the most potent cannabis medicines available.
Here are some of the possible effects of combining THC and CBD:
- Enhanced pain relief
- Little to no THC-induced paranoia
- Greater relief from anxiety
- Greater relief from depression
- Less sedation
- Little cognitive impairment
- Enhanced relief from muscle contractions and convulsions
What strains produce a 1:1 ratio?
Many strains considered high-CBD have the capability to produce a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC. However, some are more likely to create to produce even cannabinoid ratios than others. Some common 1:1 cannabis strains include:
- One to One
- Canna-Tsu
- Sour Tsunami
- Cannatonic
- Stephen Hawking Kush
Want to browse more cannabis strains? Check out HERB’s strain database.
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