THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis and is responsible for the “high” or intoxicating effect, most commonly associated with this type of medicine. THC can affect perception, mood, emotion, cognition and motor function and has therapeutic potential to relieve pain, inflammation, nausea and vomiting.
CBD is the second most commonly discussed cannabinoid, popular for its strong medicinal effect, and that it is non-intoxicating in most cases. Research on CBD shows that it may help with anxiety, inflammation, pain and has strong anti-epileptic effects in some patients.
The Entourage Effect is the widely accepted idea that the therapeutic benefit of cannabis is largely due to all of the cannabinoids and terpenes working in conjunction with one another. Research has found that terpenes may add significant therapeutic value when combined with different compounds and may play a role in enhancing the positive effects of THC and CBD. Although more research is needed to better understand this phenomenon, pre-clinical studies examining the anti-pain and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD have found that whole-plant extracts of CBD are more effective at reducing pain and inflammation than isolated CBD.
Baron, E. P. (2018). Medicinal Properties of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids in Cannabis and Benefits in Migraine, Headache, and Pain: An Update on Current Evidence and Cannabis Science.
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 58, 1139-1186. Read here.
Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: Potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163, 1344-1364. Read here