Getting older is something to embrace. With experience comes wisdom and with age comes a better perspective on what matters and what doesn’t. Yet it also brings with it aches, pains, and a whole variety of health issues that seem to sneak up out of nowhere. But there’s no need to fear growing old, or as we prefer to call it, growing better. Cannabis can help you manage the assortment of ailments that keep you up at night or hinder you throughout your day. Ratio-infused edibles with a 1:1 blend of THC and CBD, in particular, offer a unique set of mental and physical benefits.
You may have read that last sentence and said, what is a ratio-infused edible; when did math and cannabis get together; and, what are THC and CBD?! Take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone in feeling confused or overwhelmed. Let us and the Father of Cannabis – a nod to Father’s Day, coming up on June 16 – show you how cannabis can help you embrace aging!
*We also include some fun facts about cannabis throughout the post to add to your arsenal of fatherly wisdom 😉
Let’s start with the difference between THC and CBD
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most well-known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It’s believed that the first cannabis plants grew in Central Asia, specifically in Mongolia and southern Siberia. Its use dates back to China circa 4000 B.C. Cannabis was incorporated into spiritual practices and meditation and used as a medicine for issues such as rheumatic pain, constipation, and female reproductive disorders, i.e., endometriosis.
Symptoms/conditions that benefit from THC
- Pain
- Nausea
- Muscle spasms
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Benefits of CBD
- Analgesic
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-inflammatory (including auto-immune diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Anti-convulsant
- Anti-psychotic
Fact source: Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing, by Caroline MacCallum and Ethan Russo
Fast-forward a few hundred centuries to the 1980s when Raphael Mechoulam discovered how cannabis produces both mind-altering and medicinal effects. Mechoulam, known as the Father of Cannabis, was the first to isolate THC and CBD from cannabis and decipher the chemical makeup of each cannabinoid. Mechoulam identified that THC is the sole cannabinoid that produces psychoactive stimulation resulting in feelings of euphoria, known as a high. CBD, on the other hand, is non-intoxicating. Mechoulam’s discoveries unlocked a door that had long been shut to the medical potentials of cannabis. His research paved the way for other notable scientists, like Dr. Ethan Russo. Without these men pushing for a greater understanding of cannabis and its potential, we would not be seeing the end of cannabis prohibition as we are today.
Ratio-Infused Edibles: Best of Both Worlds to Keep Your Body In Balance
Not long after Mechoulam’s monumental discovery, he and his team identified that the human body has a system of chemical compounds that are strikingly similar to the ones found in cannabis. This system is known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Its purpose is to maintain homeostasis within the human body. The ECS is intertwined with a myriad of physiological functions, and Mechoulam discovered that cannabis significantly elevates the ability of the ECS to maintain balance and keep order throughout our bodily functions.
There are two key functions to the ECS. The first is the cannabinoid receptors, called CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are located throughout the body with a high concentration of CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and CB2 receptorss predominantly in the immune system. The second key function of the ECS is endocannabinoids, which bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to activate them. These receptors monitor the conditions of our systems, and when they identify that an area of the body is over-active or not firing properly, the endocannabinoids stimulate the receptors to bring the area back to its optimal level. However, as we age, our bodies produce fewer endocannabinoids. The cannabinoids found in cannabis, i.e., THC and CBD, are just as effective as endocannabinoids, which makes cannabis a natural complement to our own physiology.
*Fun Fact: Endo means internal or from within. This illustrates that endocannabinoids are produced internally within the human body. Cannabinoids from cannabis are identified as phyto-cannabinoids; phyto meaning of a plant or related to plants.
THC binds with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to produce medicinal effects such as alleviated pain, improved digestion, and regulated emotions. However, THC is a powerful psychoactive stimulant, so too high of a dose can create adverse effects. Too much THC can produce feelings of paranoia or nausea. So it’s best to start with a micro- or low-dose – between 2.5mg and 5mg – to enjoy the many benefits of THC and mitigate any risks.
You may be more inclined to try CBD because it isn’t intoxicating. Many people today are interested in cannabis for its healing and therapeutic properties rather than for the euphoric effects; it’s becoming a mode for improving health and wellness above all else. CBD offers a wide variety of health benefits, yet it doesn’t bind as well with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
So, consuming THC with CBD will help you to get the most out of each cannabinoid. THC elevates the healing effects of CBD and CBD moderates the elevating effects of THC. When consumed together, the two produce a perfect harmony that allows you to experience a full range of medicinal benefits from cannabis. A simple way to consume THC and CBD simultaneously is through ratio-infused edibles.
What is a 1:1 Ratio-Infused Edible?
Ratio-infused edibles have a combination of THC and CBD. The easiest way to tell if an edible is ratio-infused or not is to look at the label.
You’ll see below, 3Leaf’s Strawberry Fruit Jellies only contain THC. The label shows that each fruit jelly is infused with 2.5mg THC and 0mg CBD. If zero is listed next to THC or CBD on the label, the edible is not ratio-infused.
Now take a look below at 3Leaf’s Peanut Butter Cookies. You’ll see that each cookie is infused with 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD. This is what’s known as a 1:1 ratio because it contains equal parts THC and CBD.
You can find ratio-infused products on the market that contain varying ratios of THC to CBD. Edibles with a higher ratio of THC typically produce effects that are more relaxing and sedating. And an edible with a higher ratio of CBD to THC offers effective pain relief with little-to-no intoxicating effects. However, the effects of cannabis vary for each individual; it is very much a personal experience. Embrace experimenting! Just remember to start with a low dose and consume slowly. Wait at least 2 hours before ingesting another edible.
A 1:1 ratio-infused edible is the ideal product to help with recovering after a day of strenuous activities. After playing a round of 18-holes on Father’s Day the equal blend of THC and CBD will provide the relief you need. Five milligrams of THC will help you relax and let go of the tension you built up from slicing the ball on the last five holes. The additional 5mg of CBD will help your muscles recover as well as reduce inflammation in your joints. This combination offers mildly elevating effects so you can enjoy the U.S. Open finals in absolute peace. A 1:1 ratio-infused edible offers a balanced experience so that you can get back to doing what you enjoy most in life.
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We’ve partnered with a few amazing retailers to offer you exclusive 3Leaf deals for Father’s Day!
- San Francisco
- Offer runs June 9-16.
- Buy any 3Leaf Coconut Oatmeal Cookie or Quinoa Granola Bite and get a 3Leaf Double Chocolate Cookie or Peanut Butter Cookie for a penny!
- Santa Rosa
- Offer runs June 9-16
- Buy any 3Leaf Coconut Oatmeal Cookie or Quinoa Granola Bite and get a 3Leaf Double Chocolate Cookie or Peanut Butter Cookie for a penny!
- Seaside
- Offer runs June 9-16
- Spend $50 and get any 3Leaf edible for FREE!
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