This is actually ended up working pretty well for me! The HN replies I got provoked me to go out and obtain a high-CBD hemp strain (22%), which turned out to be the key variable. I had often before tried combining THC + CBD strains, as you describe—but with more conventional, lower-strength CBD. It just turned out the "correct" CBD dosage for me a lot higher than I had explored!

Appreciate all the technical advice in this thread.