Why Is CBD Ineffective for Medical Use Without THC?

For the past century, cannabis breeding has been almost entirely focused on developing strains with the highest possible levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis. At the same time, extensive medical research has shown that another cannabinoid—cannabidiol (CBD)—demonstrates the greatest therapeutic effectiveness. As a result, a public perception has formed that THC is “useless,” reinforced by moralistic arguments against the use of psychoactive substances in medicine. Consequently, a significant number of medical cannabis-based products have been formulated to include only pure CBD extract. However, their actual effectiveness has turned out to be weaker than expected.

Why Does This Happen?

The superiority of natural cannabis preparations over pure extracts is primarily explained by the synergistic interaction of a whole range of plant components, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. To draw an analogy with conventional medicine, a similar effect can be seen with a common drug like acetaminophen (paracetamol), which works most effectively only in the presence of caffeine.

The importance of using the full spectrum of cannabinoids simultaneously to achieve the desired therapeutic effect is supported by a number of studies:

• Experiments conducted at the California Pacific Medical Center showed that the combination of THC and CBD produced a stronger anti-tumor effect on brain and breast cancer cell lines compared to the effect of each cannabinoid individually.
• A 2010 study demonstrated that a mixture of CBD and THC was more effective as a pain reliever than pure THC alone.
• A 2012 study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that small doses of CBD significantly reduced common negative effects of THC use, such as paranoia or memory impairment.

Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that for medical use, “classic” full-spectrum concentrates are currently preferable to pure extracts, and that there is no such thing as “unnecessary” cannabinoids.