Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most common cannabinoids found in cannabis. Both are chemical compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors found in the human brain and throughout our bodies. There are a lot of similarities between the two compounds, but they also have significant differences that can affect how they work in your body.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a chemical compound found in cannabis that has significant medical benefits but does not make people feel “stoned” and can counteract the psychoactivity of THC.
What is THC?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main active ingredient in marijuana. It acts as a cannabinoid that produces psychological effects such as euphoria by acting on specific receptors in the brain. While some research suggests that THC and other cannabinoids may be beneficial for treating some medical conditions such as chronic pain or glaucoma.
Differences
1. THC is psychoactive, while CBD is not
THC and CBD are two of the most common cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp plants. THC is what gets you high; it binds to receptors in your brain that affect pleasure, memory, thinking ability, and concentration. These receptors are part of a system known as the endocannabinoid system — which regulates many physiological processes, including appetite, memory, pain sensation, mood, and more.
Meanwhile, CBD doesn’t bind to these receptors directly; instead, it interacts with other receptors called serotonin receptors or vanilloid receptors (which regulate things like the taste). It can be used to treat many medical conditions without producing any “high” or intoxicating effect on the user. This means that CBD doesn’t get you high at all — even though it appears to have some similar effects as THC because of this indirect interaction with these receptors. Many people use it for anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seizure disorders like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms like muscle spasms and tremors, chronic pain caused by illnesses like cancer or fibromyalgia, etc.
2. Extraction
The two compounds also differ in how they’re extracted from cannabis plants: When it comes to CBD oil, there are two basic options for users – CBD concentrates and CBD isolates. The difference between these two products simply comes down to the extraction process. THC that is extracted from the plant matter is known as “full-spectrum” oil, while an isolate is made by extracting only the CBD. THC is produced by drying and curing cannabis buds (the flowers). These buds are often smoked or eaten to get high because they contain large amounts of THC. CBD comes from the leaves and stalk of the marijuana plant — not their buds.
3. THC is a stimulant, while CBD is a relaxing agent
When taken on its own, THC causes feelings of euphoria and anxiety. Meanwhile, CBD will make you feel relaxed and calm — which may seem the opposite of what you’d expect from marijuana! But that’s because THC and CBD work differently in our bodies and brains. This is why people like to use CBD oil before bed or in the morning when they need to wake up but don’t want to be stressed by coffee. THC stimulates specific receptors in our brains called CB1 receptors, while CBD stimulates different receptors called CB2 receptors (and neither one stimulates brain receptors on their own). Both cannabinoids affect pain perception and inflammation levels in our bodies differently.
4. THC stimulates appetite, while CBD suppresses appetite.
The most obvious difference between THC and CBD is that THC stimulates appetite while CBD suppresses it. This may be due to their effects on CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus, which controls hunger and metabolism. If you need to gain weight or eat more food, you should use a high-THC strain of cannabis (or products containing high levels of THC). But if you have trouble eating or want to lose weight, it’s best to use low-THC strains or products with low levels of THC.
5. Legality
THC has been illegal in most parts of the world for decades, but CBD is legal in all 50 states. This means you can buy CBD products from any number of vendors without breaking any laws. CBD is now legal in some countries where recreational marijuana use is still prohibited! Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) has been used for thousands of years as a source of fiber, food oils, and therapeutic applications, including pain relief.
In the end, most CBD products will contain only a small amount of THC. And THC is still illegal in many areas unless you live in a state that allows medical marijuana use. So if you’re concerned about consuming too much THC, it’s probably best to stick with hemp-derived CBD oil.
