Since Canada legalized the recreational use of cannabis, consumers have become more open to and curious about using cannabis products – especially edibles. With a flood of edible options available for delivery, we know it can be overwhelming to navigate all the information!
First thing’s first, you’ll need to know the difference between the two major compounds you often see on edibles packaging – CBD and THC. While they both interact with your endocannabinoid system, they produce very different effects:
CBD (short for cannabidiol) is non-impairing and non-euphoric. It produces calming effects and can help reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC.
THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound that gives you the ‘high’ or a sense of euphoria.
So what are the benefits?
CBD and THC each have their own benefits. Knowing their nuances will help you better choose a product for your needs!
CBD Benefits:
Better sleep
High levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, at night is associated with an increased number of nighttime awakenings. In one study on the effects of CBD, researchers found that cortisol levels decreased more significantly when participants took 300 or 600 mg of CBD oil. These results suggest that CBD affects the release of cortisol, possibly acting as a sedative. In other words, CBD can help you have a more restful sleep without waking up throughout the night!
Product suggestion: Willo CBD Tincture
Less anxiety/stress
A 2017 study in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry tested the anxiety levels of 57 men in a simulated public speaking test. Some received a placebo while others received different doses of CBD before their speeches. Those who received CBD experienced significantly reduced anxiety during the test compared to those who received the placebo.
Product suggestion: 200mg CBD Peaceful Peach Gummies
Coping with depression and mood enhancer
Serotonin impacts a person’s emotional state and feelings of well-being or happiness. Keeping serotonin levels balanced is often a key therapy for people with depression. Studies suggest that CBD exhibited anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects, as it seems to positively interact with serotonin receptors to restore a person’s state of well-being.
Product suggestion: 500mg CBD Milk Chocolate
Mild relief from pain/inflammation
Animal studies have suggested that CBD has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, but these effects are yet to be validated in quality studies in humans. Anecdotally, some people with arthritis who have tried CBD, but not all, report noticeable pain relief, sleep improvement and/or anxiety reduction. (note: CBD should not be used as a substitute for disease-modifying treatments!)
Workout recovery
Muscle soreness after working out is due to post-workout inflammation. Like we mentioned above, CBD has great potential anti-inflammatory properties, so would be great for recovering after an intense workout sesh!
Product suggestion: 200mg CBD Relaxing Raspberry Gummies
THC Benefits:
Relieves pain and eases migraines
A clinical trial investigated cannabis for both prevention and relief and the results were promising! A 200mg daily oral dose of combined tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) was as effective as a 25 mg daily dose of amitriptyline (chlordiazepoxide), a common migraine medication, for migraine prevention. When it was used for acute treatment, the same dose reduced the intensity of pain in migraine patients by 43.5%!
Reduces nausea
Studies have shown that THC has antiemetic properties, meaning it can reduce nausea! It was effective in suppressing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in participants. However, since these findings are based on medical cannabinoids, we do not recommend consuming edibles to control your nausea and would advise you to seek your doctor for their opinion!
Reduces anxiety
In low doses, THC can help reduce anxiety. However, high doses can increase anxiety due to the psychoactive nature of THC. Finding the right dosage can take some time, especially for first-time users. We also recommend picking products with THC from the Sativa plant (such as our THC day gummies).
Increases sleep quality
According to a 2008 study, ingesting marijuana strains with higher levels of THC helps reduce your REM sleep, meaning you spend more time in deep sleep. The deep sleep state is thought to be the most restorative, restful part of the sleep cycle. This can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from PTSD and have frequent nightmares. However, it should be noted that REM sleep is still important and long-term THC use can be detrimental to sleep quality. When picking your THC product, we recommend THC from the Indica plant (such as our THC night gummies)
Remember that everyone’s tolerances are different. The recommended dosage depends on many factors such as weight, diet, metabolism, medications, genetics, and medical condition, formulation/quality of the CBD/THC, and also the reason for taking CBD/THC. For anxiety/stress, we recommend starting with 10mg (half of 1 Willo CBD/THC gummy).
For pain/inflammation, we recommend starting with 20mg (1 Willo CBD/THC gummy). Wait 1 hour to evaluate your results before slowly increasing your dosage. It can take up to 2-3hours before you feel the effects so don’t consume a large amount at once!
As you become more accustomed to CBD and THC, you’ll become more familiar with what dosage you require for your specific needs.
Before using any cannabis products, you should discuss with your family doctor to see if it is safe to do so.
Willo products are proudly sourced, curated, and packaged in Toronto, Canada. We take pride in our products and our team works around the clock to prepare premium edibles every time because we believe you deserve nothing less. Email us to start your order and have our products delivered right to your door!