Difference between CBD and THC

CBD and THC are two natural components, and both originate in cannabis plants. But the way your body reacts to each of these elements is different. Since medical cannabis is available in so many states with recreational legal states growing in numbers, people are becoming more curious about their options.

CBD and THC

CBD can be mined from hemp or cannabis. Both hemp and cannabis (marijuana) come from from the cannabis sativa plant. To be within the law, hemp must contain less than .3% THC.

CBD is often sold in creams, oils, and ointments for the skin and in the form of gummies, extracts, capsules, powders, and other forms that can be consumed by humans. Both CBD and THC are compounds that interact with your body, but CBD does not produce the high sensation associated with cannabis.

Both CBD and THC affect areas in our brain that manipulate pleasurable feelings, effect memory, enhance thinking, concentration, movement, coordination as well as sensory and time perception. Because of this parallel, THC is able reach brain areas and stimulate them, disrupting various mental and physical functions and causing many effects including that feeling of being high that many users prefer. CBD does not provide the high affect, but produces many of the previously mentioned feelings. So, while similar and from the same plant, the two compounds have their differences.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an element in the Cannabis sativa plant. A form of CBD has already been approved by the Federal Drug Administration for controlling seizures. Over 80 compounds, known as cannabinoids, are found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most well-known ingredient in cannabis, but CBD is attained from hemp, a part of the Cannabis sativa plant that only includes minute amounts of THC. CBD has some chemical effects in the brain but they are different than the effects of THC.

CBD can be used to relieve anxiety, reduce pain, control some forms of Parkinson’s and Crohn’s disease, and other conditions, Unfortunately, now because of the past illegal nature of cannabis, there have not been good controlled studies and therefore there is little good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In 2018, laws passed in many states that made it legal to sell hemp and hemp products in the US. It is a fact that not each CBD product made from hemp is legal. CBD cannot be legally incorporated in foods or dietary supplements. CBD is only allowed to be included in cosmetic products.

There is interest in using CBD for several other purposes including seizure disorders (epilepsy), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful for these uses.

What is THC?

THC is the primary psychotropic element in cannabis that produces the high sensation. It can be ingested by smoking cannabis. It is also available in oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and other consumables. THC connects with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and produces a high or a sense of euphoria. Research (both scientific and personal) finds that this high may be larger if the THC is inhaled rather than swallowed.

CBD and THC health advantages

Researchers are searching for reactions when it comes to the full capability of CBD and THC. CBD and THC have many of the same health advantages. They can offer assistance from several of the same conditions. However, CBD does not cause the high and euphoric effects that take place with THC. Some people may choose to use CBD because of the lack of this side effect. A recent study found that CBD considerably reduced chronic inflammation and pain in some mice and rats. The investigators submitted that the non-psychoactive compounds in marijuana, such as CBD, could provide a new healing for chronic pain.

Medications containing cannabinoids may be helpful in treating certain diseases as well as queasiness and regurgitating connected with cancer chemotherapy, and loss of appetite and weight loss associated with HIV/AIDS. In addition, there is some evidence that suggests certain benefits of cannabis for chronic pain and arthritis.

Benefits of mixing CBD and THC together

The way that CBD and THC work together is often called the “Entourage Effect.” Since cannabis plants include more than 120 diverse phytocannabinoids that work on your endocannabinoid system, keeping your body in balance, many people consume CBD and THC together. Some research proposes that taking them together — along with minor organic elements in the cannabis plant, known as terpenes — is possibly more effective than taking CBD or THC only. This interaction between phytocannabinoids and terpenes results in the “entourage effect.”

Several conditions have been investigated in conjunction with the entourage effect. The British Journal of Pharmacology found that taking terpenes and phytocannabinoids simultaneously may be beneficial for pain, anxiety, inflammation, epilepsy, cancer, and fungal infections as well as finding that CBD may help reduce unwanted effects of THC. As some people experience side effects like anxiety, hunger, and sedation after taking THC, this review suggest that CBD may help reduce these side effects.