The CBD-THC debate is not new to the world of healthcare. CBD and THC are two cannabinoids that are found in cannabis plants, but what does CBD vs. THC really mean? What’s the difference between CBD and THC? Why do people use CBD or THC for their ailments? We will answer all these questions and more!
CBD and THC are two of the most talked-about compounds in cannabis, but what exactly is CBD?
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a non-psychoactive compound found in both hemp and marijuana plants. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being an antidepressant.
What is THC?
THC is a cannabinoid that produces a euphoric feeling when consumed by smoking or eating marijuana products like edibles or concentrates. THC is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, which usually refers to the compound in cannabis that gets people high.
Main Difference Between CBD and THC
The main difference between CBD and THC is that CBD lacks any kind of psychological effect because it does not contain any psychoactive properties whereas THC does have some mind-altering effects. CBD and THC are the two main ingredients that give cannabis its medicinal benefits, but CBD is a more versatile cannabinoid with fewer side effects
CBD has been used to treat many ailments such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, nausea, and seizures without psychoactive effects (a high). CBD can be taken as an oil or pill; however, it cannot be smoked.
CBD vs. THC: Chemical structure
The chemical structure of both compounds differs significantly but they have one thing in common: cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). When heated, CBDA converts into tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), which becomes delta-nine-tetrahydrocannabinol when exposed to air or ultraviolet light – aka “delta-nine.” Delta-nine then decarboxylates to become psychoactive THC.
CBD vs. THC: Health benefits
A key difference between CBD and THC is that the former lacks any kind of psychological effect because it contains no psychoactive properties, whereas the latter does have mind-altering effects.
That said, both substances can deliver medicinal benefits such as pain relief and anti-inflammatory abilities, but there are limitations such as ingestion methods for which one will work better than the other in each case (for example, taking a pill containing CBD versus smoking cannabis with high levels of CBD).
In addition to this, patients should be aware of how they react differently from person to person – not all people tolerate marijuana well or feel its full effects like others might; so if you’re going to be using CBD for therapeutic purposes, you may want to consult with a physician and experiment with different dosages.
Side-effects of THC
Side effects can range from dry mouth and dizziness to anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there) and increased heart rate.
Conversely, the side effects associated with CBD are less severe – one might experience some drowsiness or mild changes in the mood but they’ll wear off after an hour or so unlike THC’s side effects which could last for days on end.
The most common negative experience people have when smoking marijuana is feeling “high” due to high levels of THC; while this sensation usually feels pleasurable at first, it can eventually lead individuals down a path towards addiction.
CBD vs. THC: Dosage Another difference between the two compounds
we’ve covered in this blog post is that one cannot simply take a high dose of CBD and get an effect like they would if taking a pill containing large amounts of THC – with CBD, you really need to experiment with dosages because too much could make you sleepy or affect your mood negatively (much more so than consuming cannabis). That said, patients should always consult their doctor before beginning any new treatment plan involving cannabinoids for medical purposes as side effects may vary.
CBD vs. THC: Legality
CBD and THC are both legal in all 50 states. CBD is a Schedule I drug while THC remains as a Schedule I, II, or III depending on the person’s location (and certain other factors). This means that CBD is not legal in states where marijuana has remained a Schedule I drug while THC can be found on the state’s list of controlled substances.
CBD vs. THC: Medical benefits
CBD has been used to treat many ailments such as –
- chronic pain
- anxiety
- depression
- nausea
- Seizures
- inflammation
THC has been useful in treating-
- chronic pain
- anxiety disorders
- other mental illnesses
- muscle spasticity
- Insomnia
- low appetite
THC vs. CBD: Conclusion
In conclusion, CBD and THC are two different compounds with a few differences in their chemical structures. The main difference between the two is that THC can make you feel euphoric or high while CBD does not have psychoactive properties like THC.
