THE RATIO-BASED APPROACH TO DOSING

Cannabis medicine can be one of the most personalized forms of medicine in healthcare today.

In fact, the term ‘cannabis medicine’ describes the therapeutic use of multiple combinations of dozens of different individual medicines.

There is no single combination that is best for everyone, so truly understanding the differences and applying it to the individual needs is where this medicine thrives!

The most known components of cannabis medicines are THC and CBD. Individually, these compounds are powerful influencers in our physiology that have been shown to have significant anti-inflamatory and painrelief effects.

Anecdotal evidencewhich was then further supported by clinical trials - has shown that while each individual component works well, they can provide substantially greater therapeutic value when used in combination.

This was shown in a study published in 2010 in the British Journal of Pharmacology which looked at the effects of THC and CBD alone, and then in combination.

The preclinical study concluded that “CBD increased some effects of an ineffective THC dose to the level of an effective one.”

Another clinical study published in the Journal of Pain studied a well-known cannabis derived spray with an equal CBD:THC ratio called Sativex, approved in more than two dozen countries.

The study involved more than 200 cancer patients that failed to achieve pain relief with opiates.

The trial had three different dosing regiments of the 1:1 ratio product; 21mg, 52mg, 83mg. The 21mg and 52mg groups experienced significant relief in their symptoms, and interestingly the 21mg group had greater therapeutic outcomes than the 52mg group.

This was even more substatiated with the 83mg group having little pain relief and increased adverse effects.

The conclusions of these studies highlights an incredibly valuable therapeutic potential in cannabis medicine; one can have relief without the high!

By utilizing the appropriate dose of a CBD:THC ratio product, many can achieve their therapeutic goals without the intoxicating effects of THC.

This can be utilized in a way to titrate dosing in a safe and comfortable manner to achieve increased dosages if necessary.

However, it is important to note that one can overshoot their therapeutic dose, as concluded in the Journal of Pain article, and not achieve their desired outcome.

THC is known to magnify the benefits of CBD. Synergistically, by reducing the intoxicating effect of THC, CBD makes it possible to use higher dosages of both with minimal psychoactivity and optimal symptom relief.

Cannabis naive patients should always start with low doses of a balanced or CBD-dominant ratio product and gradually increase the dosage and ratio of THC over time. This could be as little as 2-5mg to start. When speaking specifically about the CBD:THC ratio, the goal is to achieve a consistent dose of a specific ratio that fits the individual’s needs, gradually increasing as much THC as needed for the most relief, in a safe and comfortable manner.

Once this is mastered, we can start looking more specifically at some of the other minor cannabinoids that could provide even more benefits in one’s overall wellness.

By Dr. Nicholas Bottaro