As there has been a huge roar in the popularity of cannabis products, consumers are becoming more and more curious about it. It includes the use of CBD and THC as they are two natural compounds that are found and derived from the cannabis plant. If you want to avail of the true benefits of both of these products you have to know everything there is to know about them.
In this article, I am going to discuss the two most common compounds found in the cannabis plant and go to lengths about how they are different from each other. Ultimately, the next time you consume any of these products, you will know what you can expect from it and what it should be used for.
What Is CBD?
CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring chemical compound that is found in the cannabis plant. CBD is the second most common cannabinoid present in marijuana and gives marijuana its soothing effect. It contains 12 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. CBD is similar to the endocannabinoids present in the body, which allows them to interact with cannabinoid receptors.
What Is THC?
On the other hand, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the most prevalent compound present in the cannabis plant. The main reason why THC and CBD are considered to be two different compounds is due to the fact that they react differently to the body. THC can be furthermore divided into different components such as Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC, each of which has different properties. If you want more information related to Delta 8 THC and how it is different from Delta 9, you can click here.
Are They Psychoactive?
While THC and CBD are both naturally found in a similar plant, they are both very different compounds and react differently with the body. On one side, where THC’s chemical structure allows it to bind with your body’s cannabinoid receptors, CBD can only interact with them. So, THC alters the function of cannabinoid receptors in the user’s body, while CBD is a totally non-psychoactive compound that has a very mild stimulating effect on the body.
The ‘high’, which is associated with marijuana, is mostly due to the presence of THC inside the plant. So, when you separate THC and CBD from the marijuana plant, it becomes a totally different thing. If you feel ‘high’ after using CBD, the chances are that you also feel stimulating effects after taking strong medicine like Advil.
Where Can You Find CBD and THC?
As I already mentioned, you can find CBD and THC in the cannabis plant. However, as there are more than one species of these plants, you must know what each species has to offer. The most common species of the cannabis plant are known include Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. Each of these species contains a varied percentage of CBD and THC. Depending on what you need is, you can harvest the species that will reap you the most benefit. For example, Bruce Banner is a Sativa species that is abundant in THC.
On the other hand, Charlotte’s Web is a Sativa-dominant hybrid that is famous for its high amount of CBD content. You might have also heard about hemp as it comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant and contains an extremely low amount of THC. So, hemp is mostly used for industrial purposes, and CBD that comes from these plants are considered legal.
How Are They Different From Each Other?
The main difference between THC and CBD is the fact that they have different effects on a person. As discussed before, the main difference is that THC gets you high, while CBD doesn’t. Moreover, CBD is mainly used to treat medical conditions such as seizures, depression, inflammation, psychosis, and migraines. In contrast, THC has the potential to alleviate the symptoms and pain related to glaucoma, muscle spasticity, insomnia, anxiety, and nausea. Both of the compounds can be used in the form of smokeable products, oils, tinctures, and edibles.
Side Effects of CBD and THC
When it comes to CBD, the side effects are mild to non-existent. Depending on the potency of CBD you are taking, and whether the product is genuine or not, you may feel side effects like dry mouth. When you compare it to the benefits that CBD provides, these side effects can be easily ignored.
However, you must be very careful when using CBD along with other medicines as it can interact with medications. So, to make sure that you don’t inhibit the benefits of the medicine you are taking by adding CBD into the mix, you should talk to your doctor before you start using a CBD product.
On the other hand, THC is known to have quite a few side effects like paranoia. As THC resembles something like an entourage effect, you might feel like you are losing conscious control of your body. As some strains have a higher percentage of THC than the other, if you are having trouble dealing with the side effects of THC, you should partake in something with less potency.
CBD Vs. THC: Legality
With the recent surge in the use of CBD and THC, there have been a lot of concerns about whether they should be made legal or not. While the users of both of these compounds advocate in favor of products derived from these compounds, there is still no concrete research or evidence to back the claims.
In the United States, the laws surrounding cannabis are still evolving, but there have been some significant changes in them. For example, hemp has been removed from the list of controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Agency, but CBD is still not legal in the country. However, these laws change from state to state.
Almost 33 states have made the use of medical cannabis with high levels of THC legal, while there are some states that don’t allow more than 0.3% of THC in CBD products. You can easily buy CBD products from pharmacies in these states as they are being sold legally for recreational and medical purposes. So, before you try these products, you should take a look at your state’s law.
