difference between CBD and THCLots of people ask “what is the difference between CBD and THC?” Long gone are the days when marijuana was not legal in all the states of the US. With the efforts and hard work of the proponents of marijuana, it has become legal in all the states for medicinal purposes.

In ancient times, the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes was widespread. They used it for various health conditions, from treating pain to depression. People even used it for recreational purposes. Unfortunately, there came a time when it was no longer legal to use or grow cannabis. This was because it had the ability to make you feel high.

Since it is no longer illegal, people want to know more about marijuana. The plant Cannabis genus has many components. The most useful among them are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Many people don’t know what the difference between THC and CBD is.

Both these components interact with the cannabinoid receptors found in your brain and body. The difference is in their effect. CBD is the non-psychoactive substance. It means that you will not get high using this. It is the reason why it used in many natural and dietary supplements. In this post, we have shed light on the difference between CBD and THC. Continue reading!

What Are THC And CBD?

THC is the psychoactive component found in the cannabis plant. This is mostly used for recreational purposes. This substance copies the effects of neurotransmitters, 2-AG, and anandamide. These transmitters are produced by our body to help control eating habits, sleeping patterns, and other functions.

THC will help you to relax, reduce aggression, increase hunger, and alter your sight, hearing, and smelling senses.

What is CBD in Weed?

CBD is the most crucial substance obtained from the cannabis plant. This component can be found in both medical and agricultural hemp. The chemical structure of both, CBD and THC are the same. The only difference is in the arrangement of atoms.

The cannabis compounds, THC and CBD have 21 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms, and 30 hydrogen atoms. The difference in the arrangement creates the psychoactive effect when you try THC.

This is why, when you use CBD, you might experience a relief of your discomfort with no effect on your cognitive abilities.

Benefits of THC

Though it is mainly used for getting the high feeling, it can be used for several medicinal purposes.

  • It helps in fighting the side effects of chemotherapy
  • This substance is good for reducing tremors
  • Helps against chronic pain and inflammation
  • Improves digestive health
  • Eradicates nausea and vomiting
  • Useful for Multiple Sclerosis

Benefits of CBD

Many types of research have been conducted to indicate the medical benefits of CBD.

CBD may help with:

  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Acne
  • Pain (chronic, neuropathic, etc.)
  • Inflammation
  • Parkinson’s
  • Diabetes
  • Nausea
  • Psoriasis
  • ADHD
  • Heart diseases
  • Schizophrenia
  • Anxiety
  • Bacterial infections
  • Broken bones
  • Mad Cow disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Psychoactive Effect of THC VS CBD

According to experts, THC binds with cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor in your brain. After the interaction, it produces the sense of euphoria or the high feeling. On the other hand, CBD doesn’t bind well with the CB1 receptors. This is the reason why while using CBD you don’t get high. According to research, CBD can interfere with the binding of the receptors and THC. This is helpful for reducing the psychoactive effects.

Legality of THC and CBD

The legality issue of THC, CBD, and other forms of cannabis is evolving. Yet, not all the forms of cannabis are not legalized in the US. Both THC and marijuana are on the list of controlled components. This means the use of these compounds is not allowed under federal law.

Fortunately, Washington D.C. along with other 20 states have passed laws regarding the medical marijuana containing high amounts of THC. Under this law, they have legalized the use of high levels of THC in marijuana for medical purposes only. It also means that marijuana must be prescribed by the physician.

Moreover, 9 states along with Washington D.C. has made marijuana and THC legal for both medicinal and recreational purposes. However, it is not federally legal.

There are some states where just the use of CBD for medicinal purposes is legal. So, it is recommended to check the state laws before using CBD or THC.

In case you own CBD or THC, without a medical license or in a state where it is not legal, you should be ready to face penalties.

CBD VS THC Effects

When comparing the side effects of cannabinoids vs THC, it was found that CBD might not have side effects. The side effects occur when using CBD because of the drug-to-drug interaction. This means it might be the result of interaction between CBD and other medication.

While THC is known to have some temporary effects, including:

  • Memory loss
  • Dry mouth
  • Increase in heart rate
  • Red eyes
  • Problem in coordinating

Summary

All these effects of using THC are not fatal and they are the part of the psychoactive properties of the component. Nonetheless, high consumption of THC might result in negative psychiatric effects. This might happen for those who consume huge amounts of THC on regular basis.

Therefore, you must know the laws regarding the use of marijuana, THC, and CBD in your state. Whether you are using CBD or THC, they both have medical benefits and are safe to consume. You should also look at the interaction and side effects of these substances with medicines you might be taking. Still, it is advised to consult a physician before using it.