CBD Vs. THC: How Do They Differ?

Cannabis is made up of close to 140 different chemical compounds. CBD and THC are essential parts of this compound. They are the most widely known and embraced. CBD & THC Oils, edibles, gummies are all over the place and used for various benefits. Over the years, as the health benefits of cannabis keep gaining popularity with rising interests centered on CBD and THC, so do these two cannabinoids.

The majority assume they are the same and have the same effects, and others have the correct information about their differences. This continues to generate many controversies daily.

The debate that one is bad and the other is good never seems to end—the differences in the properties, benefits, and side effects of these cannabinoids.

This article will provide the correct information about CBD and THC and some differences.

About CBD

Cannabidiol, often referred to as CBD, is one of the leading chemical compounds in cannabis. The discovery dates back to the 1940s and has gained enough popularity because of the health benefits that come with it. Typically, the classification of cannabis Sativa plants depends on their CBD and THC production.

  • Type 1 cannabis Sativa is made up of <0.5% CBD and> 0.4% THC.
  • Type 2 cannabis Sativa is made-up of >0.5% CBD and > 0.3% THC.
  • Type 3 cannabis Sativa is made up of <0.3% THC and > 0.5% CBD.

Type 1 and type 2 cannabis Sativa are classified as Marijuana and type 3 as hemp. Simply put, it can be hemp-derived or marijuana-derived.

Marijuana-derived CBD contains more THC than hemp-derived CBD.

About THC

Delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol, usually referred to as THC, is another leading chemical compound in cannabis Sativa plants. However, it contains the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The high feeling is often attributed to cannabis.

THC activates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that generally plays an integral part in moods and pleasure. When an excessive dopamine release is triggered, people go into euphoric moods.

It can be gotten by smoking Marijuana, but it’s also an ingredient in oils, capsules, and edibles.  Also, it is important to know where is Delta-9 THC legal. Some states have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, and they may allow the sale and possession of products containing delta-9 THC under certain conditions

What Are The Differences?

With a brief foundation on what CBD and THC are, this section will shed light on the difference between them. While these compounds are different, you can get high-quality CBD + THC oil in various online stores.

Chemical Properties

Chemical Properties

These two cannabinoids have a chemical structure similar to our body’s Endocannabinoids. These  Endocannabinoids serve as neurotransmitters that work in the brain.

For better understanding, neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells in our body. They help play essential roles in – pain, mood, sleep, digestion, immunity, and appetite.

They are isomers, which means they have the same molecular structure: (C21H30O2) but a different chemical structure. The molecules are differently arranged.

CBD is made up of two 6- membered rings, while THC is made up of an extra 6- membered ring that is derived from another bond (an attachment of a carbon and oxygen atom). Hence, CBD and THC bind individually differently with receptors in the endocannabinoid system to produce different actions in our bodies.

Psychoactive Nature

CBD doesn’t have a total psychoactive effect, unlike THC, associated with psychoactive properties. It makes people “high” as they often describe.

Both cannabis act on different receptors in the brain.THC binds with CB2 receptors, whereas CBD doesn’t bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors. When people consume this cannabis together, CBD connects with the receptors and stops THC from forming a bond with them.

Although CBD might be psychoactive, it doesn’t disrupt your functionality, and it’s not intoxicating. Thereby reducing some of the effectiveness of THC.

Benefits

Though similar, there have been recounted differences in the benefits of CBD and THC. They both help alleviate chronic pain, but CBD has some benefits lacking in THC.

CBD can help anxiety. It has also been known to help in patients with a seizure disorder. A CBD – based medication – Epidiolex, is used in treating leprosy, as approved by the FDA. In contrast, THC is rich in sedative effects. It can help patients with Insomnia. It also serves as an appetite stimulant, as it helps with those with poor appetites. It can also reduce nausea and vomiting.

Marinol, a medication containing THC, helps with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as well as HIV & AIDs induced appetite loss.

Legal grounds

Legal grounds

The legality of this cannabis is always important regardless of the country. Every country has rules and bodies governing the use, trademark, and all details related to these compounds. As a result, when you intend to purchase a product that contains THC or CBD, you must consider its legality.

In the United States, both cannabis is included in the U.S Controlled Substances Act. This implies that they aren’t legal under federal law. Up until July 2029, Washington and about 33 states have reinforced policies that permit only medical doctors to prescribe medical marijuana and other products made up of THC.

However,  CBD is somewhat legal in some states. The truth is the legality of CBD or THC products is different, depending on the state. Surprisingly, Marijuana and THC have been approved for recreational use in some states.

Conclusion

The similarities between CBD and THC are pretty much. Most people cannot tell their differences. However, this article has addressed any wrong notion about this popular cannabis.