As the legal use of cannabis and other cannabis-derived products grows all over the world, more people are becoming curious about what these cannabinoids are. Two of the most active compounds found in a cannabis plant are CBD – cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol – THC.
To learn more about the comparison between CBD vs THC, you might want to stay for a bit.
CBD vs THC: Breaking down their differences
Cannabis plants have more than a hundred of cannabinoids present, some of them you may know nothing about, and some of them you do. The most popular cannabinoids you can think of are THC and CBD. THC and CBD are two naturally-occurring compounds found in a cannabis plant. For people, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by these various abbreviations and all sorts.
These cannabinoids are responsible for providing psychoactive high and a myriad of health benefits. Both of these cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoids system. However, they function differently and affect each person differently, as well. To learn about these two popular compounds, read more. While they may have a lot in common, it is ideal for separating them from various factors.
THC vs CBD: Chemical Construction
Both THC and CBD have the particular same molecular configuration. They both have 21 carbon atoms, two oxygen atoms, and 30 hydrogen atoms. However, there’s a slight difference in how these atoms are arranged, and that’s why the effects offered to a human’s body is different.
Although their atoms are arranged differently, both of these are chemically similar to your body’s endocannabinoids. By this, it allows them to react with various receptors and other cannabinoid receptors in the body.
How these chemicals work is by the interaction between the neurotransmitters of your brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for sending signals between cells, and each of them has roles in immune function, pain, sleep, and anxiety, to name a few.
CBD vs THC: Psychoactive effects
Despite their structures being similar, THC and CBD don’t have the same psychoactive effect induced in humans. CBD is psychoactive, but often negligible, whereas THC can and will ultimately cause you to get high. However, CBD is known to help various symptoms associated with anxiety, seizures, and depression.
THC binds with CB1 receptors of the brain, thus inducing high. It offers feelings of euphoria. THC is known to bind considerably well with receptors, while CBD isn’t. CBD is known to bind with receptors weakly. To help you get psychoactive benefits from CBD, THC is needed for that. But, it minimizes the effects of THC compared to consuming THC singlehandedly.
CBD vs THC: Their Legality
In the world of cannabis, especially in the United States, laws imposed with the use of cannabis is continuously changing. Technically, some states still consider CBD as a schedule 1 drug or substances that have a high potential for abuse.
While the hemp plant is removed as a schedule 1 drug, thanks, in part, to the farm bill act, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Food and Drug Administration still considers hemp as schedule 1 substance.
Moreover, 33 states and the Washing D.C. have federally passed the use of cannabis, making medical marijuana with high THC legal. For you to use or consume high THC grade medical cannabis, a licensed physician must prescribe it.
For states where legal use of cannabis by either medicinal or recreational is authorized, you should also be able to buy CBD and CBD products. Before you buy one, it is essential to research your state laws regarding the legal use of cannabis.
If you have cannabis products illegal in a state, although it’s legal in your state, you could face legal consequences.
CBD vs THC: Therapeutic Benefits
THC and CBD have many similar health benefits. They both provide various relief from the same conditions. The only difference when it comes to their medicinal benefits is that CBD doesn’t induce euphoric effects than THC, and it’s why most people prefer using CBD or CBD-derived products.
In 2018, the drug Epidiolex was the first medication containing CBD to be approved by the FDA. It’s a medication used to treat rare and challenging to handle forms of epilepsy.
CBD is used for numerous conditions such as:
- Inflammation
- Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Nausea
- Migraine
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mental disorders and Psychosis
- Pain
The usage of THC is to help the following:
- Appetite Stimulation
- Insomnia
- Intraocular Eye pressure
- Muscle Spasticity
- Pain
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Depression
CBD vs THC: Side Effects
CBD is famous for being well-tolerable, even in large doses. Also, studies suggest having any side effects with the use of CBD is associated with drug-to-drug interactions.
THC causes:
- Increased Heart rate
- Memory Loss
- Anxiety
- Dry Mouth
- Red Eyes
- Slow Motor control
CBD causes:
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Appetite swings
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
These side effects are due to the compound’s psychoactive properties. The use of both compounds is non-fatal.
CBD vs THC: Will you fail in a drug test?
CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids are stored in your body’s fat. They can easily show up on drug examinations for several weeks, or even days after using them.
However, there are only a few drug tests that will be able to trace the amount of CBD. The standard protocol for traditional drug testing is looking for chemicals related to THC, so Marijuana or THC use can fail you in a drug test.
CBD vs THC: If Why do people talk about THC in a CBD oil?
THC and CBD are the two most prominent cannabinoids found in a cannabis plant. Hemp and cannabis plants both produce THC and CBD.
However, cannabis produces higher concentrations of THC, whereas hemp produces high levels of CBD.
Today, the average concentration of THC is about 12%. CBD oils derived from hemp contain small traces THC because they’re present in low levels in the hemp plants. To use CBD legally, it should provide no more than 0.3% of THC.
Conclusion
No matter how you intend to use CBD or THC, they offer a myriad of benefits. Hopefully, the debate between CBD vs THC will soon end as both compounds provide positive benefits compared to other drug use.
As more states and countries will legalize the use of weed, people can enjoy this humble plant’s wonders! Lastly, if you don’t whether the use of cannabis is legal or illegal to your state, it would be wise to search the net or ask people with the right knowledge about the use of weed.
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