CBD vs THC is a very highly demandable topic nowadays. Are you wondering what the main difference between CBD vs. THC is? Many people believe that all of the chemicals in cannabis are the same; however, this isn’t true. There are a lot of differences between CBD vs. THC that you should know about. And the debate between CBD vs THC is very common. There might be slight differences in the CBD vs THC comparisons, but the differences are important. If you are trying to decide whether you want to try CBD or THC, this article is for you. In this article, we will talk about the main difference between CBD vs THC. In addition, we will talk a little more in-depth about both of these components of the cannabis plant. So, if you would like to learn these and other related things, keep reading this article.
CBD vs. THC: What Are They?
If you’re taking medical marijuana or any other type of hemp, you might want to know what you consume. In the hemp plant, there are a lot of different components that make it what it is. However, two of the most essential and popular chemicals are CBD and THC. It is essential to know what these cannabinoids are before knowing the differences between them.
In addition, the majority of people don’t know what they are consuming. Nevertheless, this is a huge mistake, and you should know what CBD and THC are made of. So, keep reading to learn what are CBD and THC:
CBD
CBD is probably the most well-known part of the cannabis plant. However, it is only a part of it. You probably are wondering, “what is CBD?”. In this part of the article, we will help you know the answer to this question. In addition, hemp vs. CBD is not the same thing. CBD is the second cannabinoid that is more present in the cannabis plant.
Nowadays, CBD is a very popular chemical that a lot of people enjoy consuming. There are a lot of different products that contain CBD. In addition, it can help with many different problems.
THC
THC is another part of the cannabis plant. THC is a cannabinoid that is also known as Delta 8 THC. THC is the chemical that is going to provide you with the typical high effect that cannabis has. That is because it is psychoactive. The great thing about THC is that it makes the brain release dopamine.
THC is also present in a lot of different products in the market nowadays. In addition, a lot of times, people like to mix THC with CBD for better results. Some people have questions about this chemical: “Is it legal in the USA?” or “Does THC show up on a drug test?”.
CBD vs. THC: What’s The Key Difference?
Now that we have already talked about CBD and THC on their own, we can discuss CBD vs. THC. Even though CBD and THC are synthetic cannabinoids, they are not as similar as you might think. These two chemicals have a lot of differences between them, and that makes them unique. Because they are different, they will have different effects on you and will function differently.
One of the only things that these two chemicals will have in common is that they are in cannabis. Many people might think they are similar in many topics; however, now you’ll learn that this isn’t true. Now, we will talk about the key differences between CBD vs. THC. These are some aspects that are different for THC and CBD.
Psychoactive Components in CBD vs THC.
As we have already said, one of the main differences is the effects that they will have on your body. CBD and THC will affect different parts of your brain, determining if they cause any effect or not. CBD doesn’t present psychoactive properties. That means it won’t have effects and won’t get you high.
On the other hand, THC does have said components, and it binds with your CB1 brain receptors. Hence, it will produce an effect on your body. In conclusion, THC will have a similar effect as the one you can get by smoking marijuana.
Chemical Structures in CBD vs THC.
Even though they both have the same molecular structure, the only difference is how the atoms are arranged. To clarify, they are chemically similar to your endocannabinoid system, which lets them cooperate with cannabinoid receptors. That process affects the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, which are the ones that connect cells and affect pain, stress, sleep, and the immune system, among others.
Sources: Where Do They Come From
One clear difference between CBD vs. THC is the fact that they come from different sources. On the one hand, THC comes solely from marijuana.
On the other hand, CBD may come from marijuana or hemp. Marijuana-derived CBD products might contain larger amounts of THC which won’t fit people who want to avoid it. That’s why CBD derived from hemp is more popular; because it reduces the product’s amount of THC.
THC vs. CBD Extraction
CBD and THC extraction methods differ mainly because hemp and cannabis have different processing requirements. TCH needs a hydrocarbon process involving a closed-loop system and residual solvent removal to be extracted.
Now, to extract CBD distillation equipment an ethanol-based extraction is required. Plus, they both require different measures regarding temperature, pressure and time during the extraction process.
Drug Testing
One of the main concerns that many people have is whether CBD or THC will appear on a drug test. A lot of people don’t know the answer to this question. The thing that you should know is that if you’re taking THC, it will probably appear on a regular test. The majority of drug tests can detect traces of THC in your body.
When it comes to detecting CBD, it depends on the amount of THC it contains. Almost no drug test is designed for detecting CBD. However, many CBD products have a slight trace of THC. A drug test might detect that and, therefore, lead to a positive result.
The Ways to Take Each
There are a lot of different ways to consume THC and CBD. In this aspect, they are very similar because there are many products that contain these cannabinoids. You can consume THC by smoking marijuana, which is probably the most common way. Still, there are other products that provide THC, such as tinctures, oils, vape products, sprays, beverages with marijuana oil, and edibles (like gummies).
In the case of CBD, it is quite like THC. You can consume CBD oils by vaping them. However, it’s not quite recommended since vaping is considered dangerous. You can also find skin lotions or salves, which will have a localized effect on your body. Finally, CBD can be consumed orally as oil, spray, capsule, tincture, gummy, beverage, and candy.
How They Affect Your Body
As we have already said, this is the most critical difference in the CBD vs. THC effect. We have two different cannabinoid receptors. THC, the main compound in marijuana, binds with those receptors in the brain area, affecting pain and mood, among other feelings. That’s the reason behind THC getting you ‘high.’ Contrary to that, CBD works with other parts of your body and, therefore, avoids getting you ‘high.’
Medical Benefits
Both CBD and THC are capable of helping treat many medical conditions. However, there are CBD health benefits and THC health benefits. In the case of CBD, it can help with seizures, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation, depression, migraines, and mental disorders.
On the other hand, THC can help treat low appetite, glaucoma, muscle spasticity, and insomnia. It is worth pointing out that either CBD or THC can help with nausea, pain and anxiety symptoms.
Side Effects
For starters, you should know neither compound is fatal. CBD is usually tolerated correctly; it doesn’t matter the dose. If there’s any chance of side effects occurring when taking CBD, it’s probably because of its interaction with other medications. In that case, CBD side effects might be fatigue, appetite changes, dizziness, weight loss and diarrhea, among others.
THC, however, might cause temporary or long-term negative psychiatric effects. THC side effects are coordination issues, increased heart rate, red eyes, dry mouth, memory loss, anxiety, or slower reaction time.
Are CBD and THC Legal?
A question that a lot of people have is whether it is legal to consume CBD and THC. THC and marijuana are both under the U.S. Controlled Substance Act, and they are illegal under federal law. Some policies allow people to take THC-containing products or marijuana for medical or recreational purposes, usually prescribed by a specialist.
Whereas CBD is considered a Schedule I drug, it is legal in most states in the country. Wherever cannabis is considered legal for medical or recreational purposes, it is easier to find CBD. However, you should check the percentage of THC in any CBD product you buy. Some states won’t allow any trace of THC in products, so legality depends on the state you are in.
Final Thoughts on CBD vs THC
Throughout this article, we talked about many of the differences between CBD vs. THC effects. A lot of people can’t tell these two cannabinoids apart. However, they are very different and will have different effects. It is essential to know the different aspects between these two to know what to choose.
Hopefully, this article answered all of your questions about the differences between CBD vs. THC. We talked about the structure, sources, extraction, health benefits of CBD vs. THC, effects, drug testing, and many other things. So, now that you know the differences between them, you can know which one to choose.
