Cannabis Ratio Guide for THC, CBD and Other Cannabinoids

Trips to the dispensary are always a good time, but they can also be a bit stressful.

There are often so many different strains to pick from it can be overwhelming, especially for those just getting into cannabis. A lack of education on cannabinoids ratios can lead a cannabis newbie to purchase something way stronger or weaker than they might want. In the worst cases, this could give new users a warped perception of cannabis and turn them off completely!

Well, worry no longer. We've written this guide so you can better understand cannabinoids ratios, and not only pick the perfect CBD THC ratio, but also enjoy the benefits from other cannabinoids as well. Whether you're a cannabis newbie or a seasoned smoker, you're going to want to know this.

Here's your one-stop guide to cannabinoid ratios.

What are Cannabinoids?

For the unaware, cannabinoids are the natural compounds that make up the cannabis plant. They're what get you high, what may relieve those nagging sore spots, and what makes you hungry among other things. There are over 480 different cannabinoids in a given strain of cannabis, with THC and CBD being the most prominent and common knowledge.

Some of the more obscure, but ever-present cannabinoids, include CBG, CBC, and CBN and are also a major part of the research Origins has done with independent labs. Of course, we can't really list all 480+ other cannabinoids here, but if you're curious a quick Google search will do you well. When talking about cannabinoid ratios, the most common ratio product types you’ll find are THC and CBD related.

What are Cannabinoid Ratios?

Cannabinoid ratios generally refer to the amount of THC in relation to CBD in a given strain of cannabis. Our Lifestyles made up of varying cannabinoid ratios are made clear to give users a better gauge of what they're buying. Users looking for high THC can seek out ratios with higher THC, and CBD users can do the opposite as they’ll find more benefit with CBD and the other cannabinoids.

For example, a strain with a 2:1 ratio means the strain has twice the THC as CBD (and/or other cannabinoids depending on the product). A 1:1 ratio means a balanced mix of THC and CBD. It's that easy!

The main thing to keep an eye out for here is the order in which the ratio appears. Most of the time and the proper way to list the ratio is THC first:CBD and other cannabinoids second. That said, sometimes cannabis brands will list them in the opposite, so be sure to read the package carefully so you know which is which.

CBD THC Ratios and Other Cannabinoids

Cannabis brands most commonly measure their ratios by THC and CBD. That's because these are the two most present and effective cannabinoids in any strain.

THC is what gets a user high. CBD, on the other hand, is responsible for the healing properties in cannabis and does not get users high.

If a cannabis user is looking for something to get them high, they'll want a strain with higher THC than CBD and other cannabinoids. If they're just looking for the healing properties with less of a high, they'll want a higher CBD ratio. Considering this, knowing how to read cannabis ratios is crucial in picking the right strain no matter what you're looking for.

However, THC and CBD aren't the only important cannabinoids to pay attention to. While most dispensaries don't show you an upfront ratio of other cannabinoids, Origins Cannabis does. Our ratios measure THC in relation to CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC and more!

These "other" cannabinoids come with their own advantages.

CBG, or Cannabigerol, is a potential anti-inflammatory, promotes bone growth, and inhibits bad cell growth. CBC, or Cannabichromene, also may have anti-inflammatory effects and may aid in soreness relief. CBN, or Cannabinol, appears as THC degrades, giving the bud a more sedative effect great for sleep.

These cannabinoids are much more than just "the other guys." Their presence in your strain could make a big difference in the effects.

Most Common Cannabinoid Ratio Types

You'll notice some common ratios when browsing the selection at your local dispensary. These ratios are the most common because they're the most desired. They often either have a good, equal balance, or give you a substantial push in one way or the other.

Here are some of the most common ratios you might see, and what they mean:

1:1 - A 1:1 ratio means there's equal parts THC to CBD and other cannabinoids in the bud. A 1:1 ratio product will give you a balanced high. This might be too weak for some, especially more experienced users.

2:1 - A 2:1 ratio means there's double the amount of THC to CBD and other cannabinoids. That means a stronger high that may be too much for some beginner cannabis users.

3:1 - Based on the last two, you can probably guess what this means. The higher the number on the left goes (the THC number) the higher or more “intoxicated” you are going to get.

15:1+ - Once you start getting into the double-digit numbers, you're going to be getting pretty high, compared to the 1:1. These strains contain a lot of THC, so should only be used by experienced users, or those looking for high THC content.

It's important to note that the first number in the ratio isn't always THC. Sometimes, it's CBD. The packaging will likely let you know, or you can ask your budtender. But be sure to do so as it will drive the effect you are looking for.

The Entourage Effect

The Entourage Effect, coined in 1999, is the theory of how different cannabinoids work together to create different effects. It states that every unique combination of cannabinoids creates a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. The Entourage Effect puts importance on every cannabinoid present, not just THC and CBD.

Think about going to a party versus going to a small gathering of close friends. Your mood, behavior, and social patterns are likely very different in each scenario. You might feel wound-up or nervous in large crowds, but comfortable and happy with your close friends.

That's exactly how the Entourage Effect works. Having different cannabinoid ratios in your body will give you totally different effects.

Cannabinoid Ratio Effects and Lifestyles

Different cannabinoid ratios work with different lifestyles. Whether you're into smoking before a party, to increase your social skills, or to go adventuring, there's a perfect strain out there for you. At Origins Cannabis, we've made finding the perfect strain for your lifestyle easy.

Origins works with top cannabis scientists and experts to lead you to the strains that best fit your lifestyle. We've poured over the ratios of your favorite strains to give you professional recommendations you won't be disappointed in.

Navigate to the Lifestyles page to find strains that fit your lifestyle or take our quiz to help you figure out which lifestyle fits you best. You'll find energetic sativas for the adventurous, and intense indicas for the party go'er in you. If you're more the holistic type, have a look at our high CBD and hybrid options which offer more wellness benefits than “high” feelings.

Best CBD THC Ratio for Pain, Sleep, and Inflammation

Many cannabis users are medical patients. Many medical users don't always want to get high, they want the health benefits. From a medical perspective, this makes it very important to pick the best CBD THC ratio, which will likely be closer to a 1:1, depending on the severity. Cannabis ratios affect people in many various ways, so there is typically a trial period when one is new to marijuana for your body to get accustomed to it, as well as figuring out what works best for you and your situation.

For pain management, many of our customers tell us a 1:1 ratio is often the best choice. This gives you a balanced high of THC, with equal CBD effects. Since both compounds can contribute to pain relief, it's important to have a bit of both.

For the best CBD THC ratio for inflammation, you're going to want a strain higher in CBD. CBD may be a great anti-inflammatory, whereas according to some research, THC does less for inflammation. If you want a strain for inflammation, you may try something as high as 1:5 leaning to the CBD side of things.

When it comes to sleep, it's a mixed bag. Both THC and CBD may help you get sleep, but in somewhat different ways.

THC may help you get to sleep faster, but it reduces the amount of REM sleep and increases slow-wave sleep. By reducing REM sleep, THC-heavy strains tend to reduce dreaming. If you suffer from nightmares, this is actually a very good thing and might award you with the best sleep of your life.

In that case, a higher THC ratio may be best for sleep.

However, CBD seems to be better at getting you to sleep and keeping you asleep. If you wake up frequently throughout the night, try a strain higher in CBD. It also works great if you have insomnia, according to some studies.

A little experimentation is best to find the ratio that helps you get to sleep. THC-heavy might work best for some, and CBD may work best for others. Start with a low dose of one and increase if needed.

How to Find the Right Cannabinoid Ratio for You

Finding the right cannabinoids ratios for you can take a bit of trial and error. To help with this, Origins, with the help of independent laboratories, created patent pending technology that allows us to craft a deeper profile through ratios. These ratios translate into our lifestyles, and we even have a quiz to help you figure out where your desired effects land on our lifestyle spectrum, then you can choose your products accordingly.

You're unlikely to find the perfect ratio at first, but don't get discouraged. Start with a low, balanced ratio and go from there.

If you find you're feeling too high, go for something with more CBD. If you're not feeling high enough, try upping your ratio by a number or two. Keep careful track of what you've tried, how you felt, and go from there.

With just a little trial and error, you're sure to find what you're looking for.

At Origins Cannabis, we want to make finding your perfect strain easy. Check out our store page for a wide range of cannabis and cannabis products, all with clear ratios. With our unique lifestyle recommendations, you'll never have an easier time finding your ideal strain.