Since the legal use of hemp and other cannabis products grows, customers are getting more curious about their options. Including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), two organic chemicals found in plants of their Cannabis genus.
CBD can be extracted from hemp or cannabis.
Hemp and cannabis come from the Cannabis sativa plant. Legal hemp must contain 0.3 percent THC or less. CBD is sold at the kind of gels, gummies, oils, supplements, extracts, and much more.
THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that generates a high sensation. It may be swallowed by smoking cannabis. It’s also available in oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and more.
Both chemicals interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, however they have very different effects.
Read on to learn more about these chemicals. While it’s possible they have a whole lot in common, they have some essential differences that decide how they’re used.
CBD vs. THC: Chemical construction
Both CBD and THC have the exact same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. A small difference in the way the atoms are arranged accounts for the differing effects in your physique.
Both CBD and THC are similar to a body’s endocannabinoids. This makes it possible for them to interact with your cannabinoid receptors.
The interaction impacts the discharge of neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for relaying messages between tissues and have roles in pain, immune function, stress, and sleep, to mention a few.
CBD vs. THC: Psychoactive components
Regardless of their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC don’t possess the same psychoactive effects. CBD is psychoactive, not in precisely the same manner as THC. It doesn’t create a high associated with THC. CBD is shown to assist with anxiety, depression, and migraines.
THC binds together with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain. It generates a high or feeling of euphoria.
CBD binds very weakly, if at all, into CB1 receptors. CBD requires THC to bind to the CB1 receptor and, consequently, can help reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC, such as euphoria or sedation.
CBD vs. THC: Legality
In the USA, cannabis-related laws are evolving regularly. Technically, CBD remains considered a Schedule I drug under federal law.
Hemp has been removed from the Controlled Substances Act, but the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still classify CBD as a Schedule I drug.
However, 33 states and Washington, D.C., have passed on cannabis-related laws, making medical cannabis with high levels of THC legal. The cannabis might need to be prescribed by a qualified physician.
In addition, several states have made recreational use of cannabis and THC legal.
In nations where cannabis is legal for medical or recreational purposes, you need to be able to buy CBD.
Prior to trying to buy products with CBD or THC, it is important to research your stat’s laws.
If you own cannabis-related products in a state where they are illegal or do not have a medical prescription in nations where the products are legal for medical treatment, you can face legal penalties.
CBD vs. THC: Medical benefits
CBD and THC have lots of the exact same health advantages. They can offer relief from a number of the same conditions. However, the CBD doesn’t cause the euphoric effects which occur with THC. Some may prefer to utilize CBD due to the lack of this side effect.
Back in June 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, the first prescription medicine to comprise CBD. It’s used to treat rare, difficult-to-control forms of epilepsy. (Epidiolex isn’t currently approved for some of the other states given below.)
CBD is used to help with other various states, such as:
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Psychosis or psychological disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Nausea
- Migraine
- Depression
- Stress
THC is used to help with the following:
- Pain
- Muscle spasticity
- Glaucoma
- Sleeplessness
- Low appetite
- Nausea
- Stress
CBD vs. THC: Side effects
CBD is well tolerated, even in massive doses. Research indicates any side effects which occur with CBD usage are probably the result of drug-to-drug interactions between CBD and other medications you might be taking.
THC causes temporary side effects, for example:
- Improved heart rate
- Coordination problems
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Slower reaction times
- Memory reduction
- Stress
CBD’s side effects may include:
- Appetite affects
- Fatigue
- Weight Reduction
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
These side effects are a part of the chemical’s psychoactive properties.
Neither compound is deadly.
But, high THC usage may be linked to long-term negative psychiatric effects. This is especially true for teens who have considerable amounts of THC, though there’s no definitive proof that using cannabis causes psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
CBD vs. THC: Drug testing
Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are stored in the body’s fat loss. They can appear on drug tests for several days or weeks after you use them.
Not every drug evaluation will have the ability to discover CBD, but CBD-sensitive tests are readily available. Most conventional drug tests will look for chemicals related to THC, therefore THC or marijuana use might show up on screening.
Likewise, hemp can produce some THC in addition to CBD, so a test may be positive for THC even in the event that you haven’t used it.
It is important to note that products that claim to be THC-free might not be free of THC, so if you’re drug tested, you shouldn’t utilize any CBD or THC products.
Why do people discuss THC content in CBD oil if THC and CBD are two different compounds?
CBD and THC are just two of the most prominent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The two cannabis and hemp create CBD and THC.
But, cannabis has a greater concentration of THC. Hemp has a higher concentration of CBD.
The normal cannabis strain today contains about 12 percent THC. CBD oil may contain small amounts of THC since it’s present at elevated levels from the hemp plant. CBD may have no more than 0.3 percent THC to be authorized at the federal level.
Takeaway
CBD and THC both have health advantages. They’re also both considered secure, but think about the chance of side effects and interactions with other medications you’re taking. Talk with your health care provider or qualified cannabis or even CBD clinician prior to use and in case you have any queries.
| CBD | THC | |
|---|---|---|
| Is illegal | No (See below) | Yes (See below) |
| Produces a high | No | Yes |
| Interacts with the endocannabinoid system | Yes | Yes |
| Has side effects | Some | Psychoactive side effects |
| Shows on a drug test | Possibly | Yes |
| Relieves pain | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces nausea | Yes | Yes |
| Eases migraine | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces anxiety | Yes | Yes |
| Eases depression | Yes | No |
| Decreases seizures | Yes | No |
| Is anti-inflammatory | Yes | Yes |
| Helps with insomnia | Yes | Yes |
| Helps with psychosis | Yes | No |
| Increases appetite | No | Yes |
| Is used for various other conditions | Yes | Yes |