What is the Difference Between CBD and THC?
CBD and THC are not the same thing. After weed became legal, a variety of products like Cannabidiol, CBD and Tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, THC, hit dispensary shelves. Simply put, the difference between CBD and THC — CBD does provide a high while THC does. However, CBD and THC, also known as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, are both found in Cannabis products.
CBD and THC affect the body differently. They both have the same chemical formula but the way how their atoms are arranged makes them different.
Scientifically speaking, CBD and THC consist of 30 hydrogen atoms, 21 carbon atoms and two oxygen atoms. Cannabis has over 100 cannabinoids and CBD is one of them.
What is CBD?
CBD is the second most prevalent active ingredient found in cannabis. As mentioned before, CBD does not get you high. CBD was discovered in the 1940s and has since increased in popularity for its ability to help with stress and anxiety. CBD can also be derived from the hemp plant and can still sometimes contain some amounts of THC. CBD derived from weed will contain more THC.
Is it Legal?
CBD comes from the hemp plant, a cousin of the cannabis plant. It is legal currently in 46 states. States like Idaho, Wyoming, Tennessee and South Carolina prohibit CBD sales.
Will CBD Get You High?
CBD will not get you high like THC. You won’t feel any euphoria or any effects of getting high. The strains of CBD can make the consumer clear-headed. Some people may prefer CBD because of some possible negative side effects of THC like anxiety and paranoia. Some high doses of CBD will provide the consumer with a relaxing experience.
How To Consume CBD
You can take CBD oil because it is said to deal with pain, anxiety and depression.
You can also take edibles like gummies or use a vaporizer that contains CBD oil.
The consumer can also inhale CBD concentrates and also use a topical. It is also something that you can add in a juice or a smoothie or even coffee.
Benefits
CBD has been known to be used for its medicinal effects. Some experts say that it can help with pain and inflammation, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD and anxiety. CBD has been said to help people with insomnia. It has been shown that it can help with regulating a healthy sleep schedule.
CBD has also been used in an effective treatment for epilepsy in a number of clinical trials, according to a report by the World Health Organization. The FDA, in 2018, also approved Epidiolex, a cannabis derived medicine that helps epilepsy patients.
Side Effects
CBD can have side effects, if you are already taking other drugs. Check with your doctor to see if CBD is for you and to inquire about other potential side effects. Some other side effects might be diarrhea, nausea, irritability; including changes in appetite, weight and fatigue.
What is THC?
THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that makes you high. It can be taken in a variety of different ways like smoking or edibles. It can also be found in gummies, brownies, beverages and more.
Using THC causes a euphoric feeling. This is caused by the receptor’s reaction to THC. THC over-activates the receptors which gives the brain to feel sometimes happy, giggly or heightened senses.
There are also two popular THC products available — Delta-9 and Delta-8. They are a bit different but they still get you high. Delta-9 is the traditional weed most people know.
Delta-8 is also found in the marijuana plant but derived from the hemp plant. The Delta-8 high is smoother and milder than Delta-9.
Is it Legal?
THC is still illegal federally in the United States, which means there is still limited research. The laws are still changing quickly across the U.S. THC is fully legalized in 18 states so far. In other states it has been made legal only for medicinal use or it has been decriminalized.
Marijuana is fully legalized in states — Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Alaska, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Maine,Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Virginia.
The states where weed is legal and decriminalized include North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Ohio, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maryland and Hawaii.
THC is only legal for medicinal use in states such as Utah, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It is decriminalized only in Nebraska and North Carolina.
Will You Get High On THC?
THC will get you high. The amount of high a person feels depends on some factors. Some of those factors include weight, age and tolerance.
How To Consume THC
You can consume THC in different ways as well. You can smoke, vape or dab. You can also consume edibles like beverages and cookies. There are even weed infused chips and weed infused candy.
Benefits
THC has been shown to help with pain, muscle spasticity, anxiety, glaucoma, insomnia, low appetite and nausea. People seek medicinal weed to help with chronic pain and people have reported to feel relief. Nabilone and Dronabinol are oral THC medications prescribed to chemotherapy patients.
Side Effects
Some side effects are dry mouth, coordination problems, red eyes, slower reaction times, memory loss, anxiety, increased heart rate and slower reaction times. But most famously known side effects include euphoria and relaxation.
So … Which One Do You Pick?
CBD and THC have significant medical benefits. They help with anxiety and pain. CBD has been shown to help with epilepsy and THC has been shown to help with chemotherapy patients. The difference between CBD and THC are clear. The thing is, there are so many ways to consume either. It’s now a matter of preference. Do you want to be high? Or … do you want to just chill out. The choice is yours.
