Comment by heavyset_go | Hacker News Reader

Comment by heavyset_go | Hacker News Reader

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> I'm a skeptic that 1. CBD+THC offers any additional medical† benefits over CBD used alone

You shouldn't be, because empirical evidence shows that there are.

CBD's most overt therapeutic effect is mediated through action at 5HT1A autoreceptors and allosteric modulation of mu and delta-opioid receptors, whereas THC's MoA is mediated through CB1 agonism, to a lesser extent CB2 agonism, and to a lesser extent than CBD, allosteric modulation of mu and delta-opioid receptors.

THC has anxiogenic (and paradoxical anxiolytic) and psychotomimetic properties, and has the side-effect of inducing schizophrenia-related disorders in some people. CBD's action at 5HT1A receptors both induces an anxiolytic effect, and reduces the symptoms of psychotic disorders.

A combination of CBD+THC can reduce the negative side-effects of THC used alone, and CBD alone does not have the same effects as THC or CBD+THC. There are studies that document the synergic effects of combined cannabinoids versus isolated cannabinoids.

I agree with everything you said, but you didn't say anything that relates to medical benefits of THC for any specific use-cases. Certainly CBD+THC has synergistic effects—it gets you more high—but does it relieve more pain, or fight more nausea? Because those are the criteria the treatment is being graded on here.

I'm not skeptical that THC does anything; it certainly does. What I'm skeptical of, is whether marijuana has the particular medical benefits it's prescribed for in part because of THC, rather than despite THC.

> I agree with everything you said, but you didn't say anything that relates to medical benefits of THC for any specific use-cases.

I did, though I wasn't explicit. CBD has no discernible effect on CB1 receptors, and produces no anti-emetic effect. THC's CB1 agonism is directly responsible for its strong anti-emetic effect. CB1 agonism also has effects on pain perception and processes in the gut.

CBD has no discernible effect on CB2 receptors, while THC does. CB2 agonism is responsible for effects on immune system, inflammation via autoimmune responses and inflammation in the GI tract associated with IBS, Crohn's and UC.

I’m curious of your thoughts of marijuana outside of medical value? I notice many people seem to only focus on the medical benefits and not the recreational benefits. Or the creativity and new spark or insight that marijuana or other psychedelics can provide. To me they all seem to be valuable tools to both the healthy and unhealthy mind. (I’m not assuming that you are against recreational use btw!)

I'm an advocate of recreational use. While I believe THC has potential for habituation, the type of addiction it induces is not at all comparable to addictions to substances like nicotine, alcohol, opioids or even caffeine. The habituation potential it has is on par with other psychological addictions, and is unlike addictions to substances that have strong physical components. I believe that marijuana substitution has potential for those who are addicted to stronger drugs when it comes to getting through withdrawals, controlling cravings and maintaining abstinence.

I can attest to the productivity and creativity benefits marijuana provides, and looking at well-known and successful creatives, many of them attribute some of that productivity and creativity to marijuana consumption.

Thanks for the reply. I agree with your assessment.

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