Cannabidiol (CBD), and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two of the primary cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. These two chemicals offer similar but contrasting effects, each with its pros and cons! Let’s get into them, shall we?
What are the differences?
Physically, the medicinal effects are quite alike to each other and very beneficial at that. These medicinal effects include:
- Pain reduction
- Nausea
- Cancer
- Appetite Loss
- Alzheimer’s
- Glaucoma
When it comes to the psychoactive effects, these are where the major differences step in. THC creates a much more apparent psychoactive experience that includes feelings of euphoria and relaxation, even energy.
CBD on the other hand is very subtle in psychoactive effects if any are experienced at all. The effects of CBD are primarily felt in the reduction of symptoms of physical ailments.
Where do they originate?
THC is primarily extracted from the flower buds of cannabis plants. In contrast, CBD is extracted from the plant material of cannabis as well as hemp, directly using chemical compounds.
While trace amounts of CBD can be found in cannabis plants and THC in hemp plants, this rule of thumb denotes where the dominant compound can be found. This is where compound dominance comes into play, as many strains carry both CBD and THC respectively.
Which one suits me best?
CBD and THC are two of the most common cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant. While CBD is found more in the hemp plant, THC is found more in the cannabis plant.
They don’t only differ in where they are found, however, as their most distinct difference is in the physical effects. While THC is famous for the head high most associated with cannabis consumption, CBD is not psychoactive at all.
While both THC and CBD are utilized for their medicinal benefits, some prefer against the head high of THC. This is where CBD steps into play, as it offers all the same medicinal benefits without the head high.
Which one shows up on a drug test?
Cannabinoids of all kinds are stored in body fat. This means, that both CBD and THC can show up on drug tests up to several weeks after initial consumption.
However, not many tests choose to detect CBD. Primarily tests will only show the existence of THC stored in your body. Put simply, THC is what should be considered most when in the context of drug tests.
Conclusion
Both THC and CBD exercise incredible medicinal benefits. These are compounds that come from a holistic plant that has been used for centuries. Hopefully, with this information provided, you can decipher which compound best suits your lifestyle needs!
References:
- Firstcrop, Bauer, B., & First Crop. (2021, March 3). The difference between CBD and THC. First Crop. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://firstcrop.com/the-difference-between-cbd-and-thc/
- WayofLeaf. (2020, February 4). Where are CBD and THC found in the cannabis plant? WayofLeaf. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://wayofleaf.com/blog/where-exactly-do-cbd-and-thc-come-from-in-the-cannabis-plant
- Holland, K. (2020, July 20). What’s the difference between CBD vs. THC? Healthline. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc