Every other day, we see the advances in medical science reaching new heights. The consumption of hemp-based products has become increasingly popular over the years, and its benefits speak for themselves. There are over 113 compounds that exist in cannabis. Two of them are Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). For the convenience of people, consumption of CBD has moved to many different products available on various platforms. Anyone can just order and try CBD gummies by CBDfx and even oils and vape kits are available in abundance. It can be a little complicated to understand the benefits and effects of CBD when THC is mentioned too. We will undergo the differences in both these compounds for a better understanding.
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The Difference Between CBD and THC
Both these compounds are derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. But they are also different in so many ways that you might want to know before making your purchase.
- Psychoactive Properties: The primary difference between them is that CBD is not associated with the ‘high’ effect that consuming cannabis creates. On the other hand, THC is what is responsible for all psychoactive properties. This happens because CBD does not get attached to our endocannabinoid system – the system in our body looks after components such as sleep, appetite, and the immune system.
- Chemical Structure: CBD and THC contain similar chemical formulas but are different in atomic arrangement. That means there are differences in how these atoms are placed next to each other, which may affect the different effects. This is essential to mention because the compound’s reaction to the endocannabinoid system depends on the arrangement.
- Sources: CBD can be derived from either hemp or marijuana. Typically, it is preferred to source it from hemp to steer clear of THC, which is in a lot of quantities in marijuana. To classify a cannabis plant as hemp, it needs to have less than 0.3 percent THC.
Benefits of CBD and THC
CBD and THC have numerous medical benefits and are the leading choice of many people worldwide. Some of them are:
- THC is associated with providing calming and relaxing effects and deprives you of pain. In comparison, CBD has done wonders in treating mental health conditions. Using CBD has helped with several ailments. You can use the same to treat seizures, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.
- THC also provides help in treating cases of glaucoma, muscle spasticity, low appetite, and insomnia. It is also commonly used as a sleep aid, painkiller, and antiemetic.
- As far as treating mental health illness is concerned, both these products are almost equally effective. CBD is hugely praised for reducing psychotic symptoms in cases of schizophrenia. It also helps to bring down anxiety levels in issues of social anxiety disorder and even reduces depressive symptoms.
- On the other hand, THC reduces the magnitude of side effects during chemotherapy involved in cancer treatment. It decreases nausea and makes the pain bearable while improving the dietary plans of the patient.
Why is CBD Preferred More than THC?
In the case of THC, a product providing this many health benefits got to has a fair share of disadvantages also. This is because THC is considered an illegal drug, with the potential to cause substantial immediate and long-term cognitive side effects. This includes damaged thinking and reasoning abilities, impaired decision-making abilities, and also causes reduced control over impulses. In some extreme cases, it also causes people to hallucinate and also leads them to develop severe heart and brain abnormalities.
On the other hand, CBD is everything that THC is not. It will not lead you to have the diminishing cognitive effects that THC does. There are lower health risks to CBD, and that, combined with the absence of psychoactive properties, make it a perfect fit for medicinal uses. Moreover, with the increasing applications of marijuana, product manufacturers are producing different strains with higher levels of CBD, and the minimal amount of THC, to reduce any chance of psychoactive behavior whatsoever.
Side Effects
Medicinal studies suggest that CBD and THC are generally safe to use and could result in a few side effects.
- Research says that CBD is well-tolerated, and the only side effects that could happen are because of the supplementary medicines taken along with them. Some side effects could include nausea, feeling tired, could have a stomach upset, and also have irritable behavior.
- Whereas THC can have adverse impairments in cognitive abilities if consumed for recreational purposes. Otherwise, THC could have side effects such as problems with concentration and balance, vomiting, and drowsiness.
Legality Status
Laws around the use of marijuana keep changing constantly. Under federal law, the use of marijuana is still illegal, but many states still allow the medical usage of marijuana containing THC. Recreational usage is not legal under federal law. However, as part of the Farm Bill in 2018, hemp was legalized. However, strict rules are still there about how and where you can sell CBD-based products. If the CBD is derived from marijuana, it is illegal to use unless it is derived from a state-regulated medicinal marijuana program. Therefore, one should always check into the laws of the state before acquiring medical marijuana. If it is not allowed in the state, the person could face legal issues for any kind of usage.It might be legal to use weed in Canada for recreational purposes, but even then you still need to be aware of local laws to avoid trouble
Conclusion
People’s interest in these products is likely to surge over the years as it becomes legal in more states. Although both these compounds are similar in what they help treat, the primary difference between them is that THC will cause a person to experience psychoactive behavior, while CBD will not. Therefore, before you try either of the compounds, it is essential to consult your doctor about it. One also might want to refrain from them because of the drug-to-drug encounter possibility that ongoing medications might cause you.