By There have been many important points in US history. One of them is the legalization of cannabis in 50 states. However, this does not mean that you can smoke weed at home, and this does not violate the law. The fact is that marijuana contains many cannabinoids, which have different chemical formulas and effects. To get the most out of hemp products, you need to know what is the difference between CBD and THC.
Main Components of Hemp
Cannabis is an amazing plant that has been popular among many peoples of the planet. For example, the ancient Indians smoked a pipe of the world, which helped to make the mind cleaner. Cannabis contains many components, but the main ingredients are two components, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both of these components belong to the same class of cannabinoids, but there is a difference between CBD and THC.
According to studies, it is these components that have the greatest effect on the human body, many lovers of psychoactive hemp prefer to choose varieties in which a high level of THC but cannabidiol is practically absent. But, according to researchers, this is the main mistake of marijuana lovers, after a comparative analysis of these two substances, scientists have found an interesting pattern, if hemp is rich in tetrahydrocannabinol, then the side effects from its use are reduced to almost zero. Therefore, in the struggle between THC vs. CBD oil and other products won the second option.
Main Differences CBD from THC
It is time to find out what is the difference between THC and CBD. The first component is tetrahydrocannabinol, which has a psychotropic effect, can lead to hallucinations, a state of euphoria and cause dependence. Therefore, it is illegal in the country. However, medical studies have shown that with the right dosage, the component can help with Alzheimer’s disease or epilepsy.
So we know what’s THC, but what is CBD? This is another component of cannabis – cannabidiol, which is not psychoactive. Besides, they have almost the same properties as tetrahydrocannabinol. But a person who has taken CBD can control behavior. This is the main difference between THC and CBD, which made one product legal and another not. Also, there are other aspects worth paying attention to.
Psychoactive Effect
We continue to compare CBD oil vs weed or THC components. It is important to understand how the ingredients act on the brain. The fact is that there are CB1 receptors in the brain that are responsible for a sense of reality. THC has been shown to bind better to CB1 receptors than to cannabidiol. Tetrahydrocannabinol mimics a neurotransmitter called a molecule of happiness or anandamide. This anandamide is classified as endocannabinoid (the natural cannabinoid of the human body) and has active properties against CB1 receptors. This is the main difference between THC and CBD oil. Moreover, tetrahydrocannabinol can lead to hallucinations. In this state, a person cannot control his behavior.
CBD does not bind to CB1 receptors and therefore does not affect perception or sensory sensations. Medical studies have shown that when CBD vs THC oil is taken, it helps to reduce the psychotropic effects of THC by suppressing CB1 activating properties.
Impact on Mood
Another difference between CBD and THC oil is the effect on your mood. After taking tetrahydrocannabinol-based products, you can feel a surge of vitality and energy. Typically, cannabidiol-based products have a different effect. They soothe your nerves, relieve pain and allow you to feel maximum comfort. Another important aspect of comparison is the drug test. Since tetrahydrocannabinol is a prohibited drug, it gives a positive result. Cannabidiol is allowed in all 50 states, so there is no risk of a positive drug test.
Medical Use
If we are talking about CBD THC difference, you need to pay attention to the medical aspect of the analysis. Because products with different cannabinoids are used to treat various diseases. For example, tetrahydrocannabinol is commonly used to treat pain, nausea, sleep apnea, or stress disorders, as well as to combat the symptoms or side effects of chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and spinal injuries. Cannabidiol is used to treat inflammation, stress, depression, and anxiety. Besides, it is effective in controlling some cancers, epilepsy, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, migraines, arthritis and side effects of cancer treatment.
Another useful property of CBD is the treatment of insomnia and a strong sedative effect. But the most ideal option is to use those hemp varieties where the level of tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD is presented in a ratio of 1:1. According to many experts, the use of such varieties of cannabis has minimal side effects or does not have them at all. Recently, drugs in which the proportion of THC and cannabidiol is 50% each are actively being introduced into medicine and used in many of its branches. It is practically impossible to get an overdose using these drugs, which is another indisputable plus, which speaks in favor of their use.
List of Main Differences Between CBD and THC
So that you can understand the CBD and THC difference, we have compiled a comparative table that describes the main effects, advantages, and disadvantages of each component.
CBD (cannabidiol)
- Psychoactive – No
- Energy – Relaxant
- Appetite – Neutral
- Feeling – Anti-inflammatory
- Side effects – Minimal
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
- Psychoactive – Yes
- Energy – Stimulant
- Appetite stimulant
- Feeling – Euphoria
- Side effects – Anxiety
Conclusion
So we found out, is CBD the same as THC. The answer is no, these are two different cannabinoids with different effects on the body and legal status. The former products (oils, balms, sprays, creams, etc.) are legal provided that they contain no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol. Also, the drug test will show a negative result when using such a product. Therefore, buy the former products only from trusted companies with a good reputation and open access to independent laboratory research.