CBD vs THC: The Differences You Need to Know
If you're like most people, you've probably heard of CBD and THC but might not know the difference between the two. Both are cannabinoids, but they offer different benefits and have different effects on the body and mind.
This article will be going over what makes these two different, how they interact with our bodies, and why it's important to understand the differences between them when considering using either one for medicinal purposes.
A Primer on Cannabinoids
Before we get too deep, let's first go over what cannabinoids are. Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that interact with our cells and receptors in the body to create various effects. CBD and THC are the two most well-known cannabinoids that come from the cannabis plant. Let's now take a closer look at each of these cannabinoids.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that comes from the hemp plant. It doesn't have psychoactive effects, which means, it doesn't make you feel high. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and has been shown to help with a variety of issues like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD interacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for regulating a variety of functions such as mood, pain, appetite, and memory. It helps to regulate these functions by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
The main benefits of CBD include relief from anxiety and pain, reducing inflammation, and helping with nausea. CBD can also help to improve sleep, reduce stress levels, help deal with drug withdrawal syndrome, and improve overall mood.
What is THC?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a cannabinoid that comes from the marijuana plant. It's responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis and is what makes you feel high. THC is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties as well, but it's also been shown to help with things like nausea, appetite stimulation, and more.
How Does THC Work?
THC interacts with the body through CB1 receptors. THC is responsible for producing the psychoactive effects that are associated with marijuana use. When THC binds to CB1 receptors, it produces various effects such as euphoria, relaxation, and altered senses.
What are the Benefits of THC?
The main benefits of THC include reducing pain, nausea, and inflammation.
CBD vs. THC: The Key Differences
As we mentioned earlier, CBD and THC both come from the cannabis plant, however, their unique chemical structures affect how they interact with the body. Here are some key differences between CBD and THC:
Drug Testing
Since THC is the cannabinoid that makes you feel high, it's also the cannabinoid that's tested for in drug screenings. CBD isn't psychoactive, so it doesn't show up on drug screens.
Treatment by the Government
The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill made CBD federally legal in the U.S., however, THC is still considered to be a schedule one substance. This is because CBD doesn't have the psychoactive effects that THC does, and doesn't make you feel high.
Effects on the Body
CBD does not cause a "high" as THC does, and instead offers various benefits such as relief from anxiety and pain, reducing inflammation, and helping with nausea. CBD also helps to regulate a variety of functions such as mood, pain, appetite, and memory.
THC, on the other hand, is the cannabinoid that is responsible for causing the "high" associated with cannabis. THC also has several medicinal benefits, such as reducing pain, nausea, and inflammation. However, the psychoactive effect it has on its users is its major downside.
Potential Side Effects
Both CBD and THC can cause side effects, but the type and severity of these side effects can differ. THC is known to cause psychoactive side effects like feeling “high”, paranoia, and anxiety, while CBD can cause things like dry mouth and drowsiness.
So, Which One is Right for You?
It really depends on what you're looking for. However, you may have noticed that there are stricter regulations regarding the use of THC than there are regarding CBD use. This is because CBD does not cause a "high" and yet offers similar benefits as THC.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you to better understand the differences between CBD and THC. CBD is often preferred over THC because it doesn't cause a high in its users, and it’s generally well-tolerated due to its minimal side effects.
If you're looking for where you can get CBD products for your needs, feel free to visit our store page to shop our carefully crafted range of CBD products. You can also visit our blog for more answers to your questions about CBD.
