CBD vs. THC: Learn the differences

Hemp plants with 0.3 THC or less are recognized as cannabis, while those with more than 0.3% THC are known as marijuana. THC is that substance in hemp plants responsible for the intoxicating feeling one gets after taking marijuana or hemp products.

Medical Marijuana also has its benefits in the medical industry; however, the legal use of marijuana and its stand-in treatment has not been finalized. Like marijuana, THC is said to affect the neurosensory system and affect the nervous systems' behavioral patterns and functioning.

The results are very important to medical progress and data use Like THC, CBD is one of the cannabinoids found in cannabis that has received the most attention and ranks as the second most researched Cannabinoid out of all cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis.

Unlike THC, CBD has been said to lack the intoxicating effects of THC on the nervous system. This makes up for more reason why this cannabidiol compound is more researched and produced for medicinal and therapeutic benefits as well as business interest due to its commercial prospect. However, scientists have gone into more THC study over the years and their effect on disorders and the endocannabinoid system.

Due to the uprising benefits, questions arise all over media websites and on CBD vs. THC and how this can change some states' health industry for good and how the difference can come to play in the health sector.

What is CBD? 

Cannabidiol remains the most researched Cannabinoid out of all molecules of cannabis. This is due to CBD practical benefits in medicine study and therapy. CBD could be used medically for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and is also responsible for the entourage effect.

CBD is relatively common in the hemp strain, making it one of the easiest to find and commercialize. CBD is known for its effectiveness in treating pain, cancer processes, and other neurogenerative diseases.

Just like CBG, CBD is also a non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive Cannabinoid effective in therapeutical operations, which is the major difference between CBD and THC. These have contributed to the rise of CBD products, including skincare, health, and wellness product and service.

Potential benefits of CBD

According to an article published on Healthline.com, a health and wellness website, CBD is the second most common cannabinoid found in the cannabis hemp and is much easier to find than THC. Hemp-derived CBD has been much researched and studied and has proven to have many benefits to people therapeutically or in other ways.

For one, CBD has been induced into certain products for skincare, hair growth, supplements, and extracts. While there is already so many ways CBD products have been useful, there is still much room to discover more.

Since CBD is also effective in treating rare epilepsy cases along with other reasons, CBD has been approved by the FDA. Here are some of the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of CBD

Health benefits of CBD

Wellness/Therapeutic

• Studies have shown that CBD improves sleep quality and appetite
• When it comes to THC and CBD, CBD regulates the adverse effects of THC
• CBD is useful when used to treat neurogenerative diseases and certain brain-related conditions
• CBD is helpful in the cancer treatment to inhibit the growth of cancer cells
• CBD is helpful in pain relief medications and sleep disorder treatment.
• CBG may also be effective in the treatment of Huntington's disease

What is THC?

The distinct intoxication or highness after taking or using the cannabis plants or any of its derivatives is due to THC and not CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC or medical marijuana, is one of the many cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis hemp. It acts in the same way as the cannabinoids our body that are produced naturally.

According to livescience.com, THC is one of many compounds found in the resin secreted by glands of marijuana. It is responsible for its strong effect on the neurosensory and endocannabinoids. Due to this, hemp plants and cannabis products with over 0.3% of THC are not legalized or allowed for use in certain forms. THC unlike CBD is the psychoactive compound present in the cannabis Sativa. 

Health benefits of THC

Wellness/Therapeutic

Like CBD, THC is very effective when used as a pain relief treatment

• It is used to treat muscle spasticity.
• THC is effective in the treatment of specific health conditions like glaucoma and epilepsy due to its effect on the central nervous system including the brain.
• Sleeping disorders like insomnia is treated with THC due to to its effects on the endocannabinoid and cannabinoid receptors.
• It is used to increase appetite.
• It is effective in the treatment of anxiety and nausea.
• CBD products is used in supplements and skincare products.

CBD vs THC: side effects

CBD is much more tolerable compared to THC. However, even CBD could also have its own side effects when it interacts with other medications. This is why the use of CBD-related products, including being used for a drug test are advised only under the guidance of a physician. While some side effects are common to CBD and THC, each also has its distinct results.

Some side effects or experiences from the use of CBD includes:

• Sudden changes in appetite
• Irregular weight changes
• Dizziness and fatigue
• Diarrhoea

Some side effects or experiences from the use of CBD includes:

• Increased heart rate and anxiety, mainly when used in large amounts.
• THC use can cause dryness of mouth and redness of eyes
• You can experience problems with body coordination due to an effect on the nervous system
• You can also experience mild cases of amnesia

The good news is that the side effects of CBD and THC is not permanent. CBD and THC do not cause serious damage to one's system. However, both CBD and THC should be used under the supervision of a physician or doctor with access to your health information.

CBD and THC, what are the similarities

One significant similarity between these two cannabis compounds is that they are both cannabinoids; they are both natural compounds easily derived from the plant cannabis genus. This means they are both gotten in their natural form from the same cannabis plant. 

Both compounds are also known to affect the body's endocannabinoid system even though they have different products and give different results. Due to this, they both have effects on the cannabinoid receptors of the body.

CBD and THC also have the same molecular structure, although their different arrangement is responsible for their other effects on the body. This means they have the same number of hydrogen atoms, oxygen atoms, and carbon atoms.

Both compounds affect the release of neurotransmitters, affecting the chemicals that relay messages between cells; thus, they can affect sleep, anxiety, immune function, and other nervous-related actions.

THC and CBD both have helpful medicinal purposes. This means they can both provide benefits for several of the same conditions. 

They both have commercial prospects with increasing product development

CBD and THC, what's the difference

A lot of people ask, CBD and THC, what's the difference? Even though the two have the same molecular structure from the same cannabis plant, they both affect the endocannabinoid systems with a possible host susceptibility interaction, they are however very distinct with critical differences between them. 

Unlike CBD, THC is most associated with the marijuana plant. The intoxicating effect still remains the most commonly known difference between CBD and THC.

Pschyoactivity

Unlike the common misconceptions, CBD is also psychoactive, just not like THC and some other cannabinoid compounds. It does not produce the highness and intoxicating feeling that is common and most associated with THC. According to Healthline.com, THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain. It produces a high or sense of euphoria.

CBD binds very weakly, if at all, to CB1 receptors. CBD needs THC to attach to the CB1 receptor and, in turn, can help reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC, such as euphoria or sedation." 

Legality

The research, benefits, availability, and psychoactive abilities have contributed to the legal stand in some states where both are concerned. Across the globe, especially in the united states, laws that guide the use and research of cannabis plants are changing and evolving.

While CBD has been approved by the FDA( Food and Drug Administration), unlike other cannabinoids like THC and CBG, there is still much regulation, drug tests, and laws guiding how it is to be used. While THC has not gained as much approval as CBD, it is accepted in certain parts of the world as a medical and recreational product.

The use of THC for medical and therapeutic reasons have been regulated based on the amount of THC present. However, in over 33 states, including Washington DC, procedures involving the legal use of products with a high THC level have been approved. Each state has different takes and privacy terms on the legality of these two products. In general, it is essential to research your state laws from your device in your specific location.

Conclusion

CBD or THC cannabinoids, whichever one, have proven to be highly beneficial medically and therapeutically. With more research, there are many more advantages and benefits to be discovered from them.

However, considering the side effects and how they can affect your everyday activities, you should visit your doctor before using any medication or product that includes any of these two Cannabinoids. There is much to be gained by people and industries from the science of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol. With these changes will come the adjustments in legalities and accessibility.

More molecules from cannabis plants are still being discovered and produced, each with their benefits and differences that hold promise for the Health and wellness industry.