CBD and THC are growing in terms of popularity ever since CBD has been legalized. Although the two compounds come from the same plant, there is a hell and heaven difference between them. Also, if you want to have a great experience with your next cannabis product then make sure you don’t get confused between the two.
To help you with that, today, in this article, we will let you know everything related to CBD vs. THC, their usage, benefits, symptoms, and so on.
CBD Vs THC
CBD is known as cannabidiol, and THC is known as tetrahydrocannabinol which are the two most common cannabinoids that you can find in cannabis plants. They are included in hemp and marijuana even though marijuana is considered to have more THC, whereas hemp tends to have more CBD.
And they are used as a source of recreation of spiritual and religious mood, and medicine, food, seed oil and industrial fiber.
They both contain a similar chemical formula: twenty-one carbon atoms, two oxygen atoms, and thirty hydrogen atoms.
The only difference between them is how the atoms are arranged, which enforces different chemical properties in them and affects the body differently from person to person.
Moreover, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects since CBD is pretty psychoactive but not how THC is, and it doesn’t produce the high associated with THC.
CBD is considered to help with seizures, anxiety, and depression, whereas THC is bound with cannabinoid 1( CBD 1) receptors in the brain, which gives a high feeling of euphoria.
In addition to this, Cannabinoid and tetrahydrocannabinol exert with receptors, resulting in the release of neurotransmitters in the brain of a person, which can affect their sleep, memory pain, and mood.
When it comes to how CBD vs. THC affects the body, it is found that THC is the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana and is one of the major reasons people feel high after consuming it.
Moreover, two types of cannabinoids are found in our bodies.
- CB1
- CB2
The CB1 receptor is mainly expressed in the central nervous system and the lungs and kidneys as well. In contrast, the CB2 receptor is expressed in the immune system and hematopoietic cells even though further research by medical doctors and practitioners says that these receptors can be found in some parts of the brain.
Moreover, THC is regarded as binding with the receptors in the brain, which controls mood, pain, and other feelings and is one of the significant reasons THC can make a person feel euphoric. At the same time, CBD doesn’t cause that high, but it works with the other body elements, interlinked to the feelings of well-being.
CBD vs.THC Legality
As the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances act 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis; however, it doesn’t apply to the leaves and seeds of the cannabis plant.
If the CBD is extracted from the leaves of the cannabis, then it’s not illegal.
CBD oil is manufactured under a license issued by the drugs and cosmetics act, 1940, can be legally used, but cannabis as a medicine isn’t much prevalent in India.
CBD Benefits And Side Effects
There are many medical benefits of both CBD and THC. They can provide relief for several issues of the same cases, such as insomnia, arthritis, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, anxiety, etc.
In 2018, FDA approved a CBD-based drug, “epidiolex” to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy.
Note: Epidiolex is not currently approved for any other medical cause.
CBD Side Effects And Benefits
CBD is used to help other health conditions as well such as :
- Seizures
- Migraine
- Nausea
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Mental disorders or psychosis
- Bowel disease caused by inflammation
CBD Side Effects May Include :
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Appetite changes
THC Benefits And Side Effects
Like CBD, there are benefits to using THC and can help with the below-mentioned medical causes.
- Pain
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Glaucoma
- Insomnia
- Low appetite
- Muscle spasticity
The side effects can be short-term side effects such as :
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Memory loss
- Slower reaction times
- Coordination problems
- Increased heart rate
You can experience these side effects in the compound psychoactive properties.
But high THC usage can cause long-term adverse psychiatric effects, especially for adolescents who consume a large amount of THC. However, there’s no actual evidence that the usage of cannabis can cause psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, etc.
Drug Testing
Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are usually stored in the body’s fat and can show up in the drug tests after several days and weeks of their usage.
However, not every drug test needs to detect it; some CBD sensitive tests can be underperformed, such as saliva testing, blood testing, etc., for detecting the CBD and THC usage.
Additionally, most of the drug tests will be looking out for chemicals related to THC so that they can detect the THC or marijuana in the screening.
Similarly, hemp can produce some THC along with CBD, and the test can be positive for THC, although you have not used it anytime in your life.
Please kindly note that many products claim to be THC-free; however, they might not be, so if you are drug tested any time, ensure not to consume any CBD and THC products.
Different Sources
THC and CBD are the two most prominent cannabinoids available in the cannabis plants, and both hemp and cannabis produce CBD and THC.
But cannabis tends to have a higher concentration of THC, and hemp has a higher concentration of CBD.
The average strain is about 12% THC, whereas CBD oil might contain some small amounts of THC because it is present at low levels in the hemp plant.
And CBD can no longer have 0.3 %THC to be legal.
Conclusion
THC and CBD both have medical benefits and are considered safe; however, you can witness any side effects and interactions due to CBD, THC, and other medications you might be taking for different reasons.
Ensure to talk with a qualified doctor or CBD clinician before using them as a medication if you are uncertain about their benefits or have any questions related to CBD and THC.