The Difference Between CBD and THC
Now that cannabis is becoming legalized in more places, we are hearing about it a great deal more than we used to. There are now millions of products, and learning about each of them can take some time. This is especially true for people who aren’t familiar with cannabis and are only starting to become interested. If you’re new to this arena and are just learning about this plant, the first place to start is understanding the difference between the two important compounds that cannabis has: THC and CBD.
When consumed, both compounds have different effects when they interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system. They also have amazing potential to help with medical issues that can be managed by cannabis. Take a look at the difference between using THC and CBD products to decide which might be right for you.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
When people ask “what is THC?”, the easiest response is that it’s the compound of cannabis that contains the psychoactive properties responsible for producing that sensation of being high. Most people have experienced this effect by smoking cannabis, but it’s also available through edibles, oils, tinctures, softgels, and more.
THC has the exact molecular structure as CBD, there’s just a slight difference in how they are arranged, which accounts for the different effects they produce on your body. When you consume THC, it binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in your brain, which produce that euphoric high feeling that many people enjoy.
The interaction releases neurotransmitters in your brain that relay messages to the parts in your body that play a role in sleep, immune function, and feelings of stress and pain, just to name a few.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is technically considered psychoactive, but not in the same way as THC, as it doesn’t produce the effect of being high. CBD needs a bit of THC in order to bind to the CB1 receptor, which activates its properties because it barely binds to the receptors on its own. The addition of THC is not enough to cause unwanted effects or feelings like euphoria or sedation, simply the calming effects.
This is the reason that CBD has many uses when it comes to medicinal benefits. It’s been shown to aid with mental health and neurological disorders like anxiety, depression, and seizures. It also helps with relieving pain like headaches or arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
The CBD component can be extracted from hemp or cannabis, which both derive from the cannabis sativa plant. The three different types of CBD oils that can be extracted are full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate. All of them can be used to make CBD gummies and many other edible or topical options that help people with a variety of their health issues.
When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing what properties can come from nature and plants and how they can benefit us. There is much more research that can be done on the benefits of using cannabis, and it is now being legalized in more places. The stigma of using this medicinal plant is blowing away each year as more people benefit from its positive effects.
