THC vs CBD – What You Need to Know
March 3, 2020
by Admin_M
As cannabis is now legal in Canada, more people are becoming curious about the terminology retailers use, with THC and CBD being two prominent terms.
What are THC and CBD?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are two naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant called cannabinoids. There are more than 85 cannabinoids in cannabis, yet THC and CBD are the two most prominent and understood of all cannabinoids.
While sharing many similarities, THC and CBD are notably different when consumed through cannabis, causing a variety of physical and mental effects. Most recreational cannabis has a higher concentration of THC compared to CBD, although you also get CBD products that feature little to no THC. There are also cannabis strains that have a moderate amount of THC and CBD.
So, knowing the differences between THC and CBD is quite useful for anyone looking to try cannabis or cannabis products. Let’s take a closer look to see what the main differences are between THC and CBD.
Possibly one of the most important facts to note: ONLY THC IS PSYCHOACTIVE!
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main cannabinoid found in cannabis. THC interacts with the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system, with the reaction sending all kinds of signals to the brain, literally causing the high we feel whenever consuming cannabis.
As the main psychoactive compound of cannabis, it causes various effects on the mind and body that are very noticeable, mainly because it stimulates the same part of the brain that produces dopamine.
What are the Effects of THC?
Anyone that has tried cannabis is familiar with these pleasurable effects, which includes feelings of euphoria, happiness, and relaxation, while things like food and drink feel incredibly enjoyable when high. That’s not all either, as THC is known for its potent effects on the body too, which is why medical cannabis became so prominent in recent decades.
However, THC often affects people differently. Not everyone experiences a pleasurable high from THC, especially in high doses, with some experiencing feelings of paranoia and anxiety. These effects often replace feelings of well-being that many other experience, It’s important to know THC may affect everyone differently!
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the other main cannabinoid present in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, CBD interacts with the CB2 receptor in the endocannabinoid system, causing it to react very differently, most notably being non-psychoactive.
As a result, CBD mainly affects the body, although it does offer benefits to the mind too, but these aren’t experienced like the typical high you expect from cannabis.
What are the Effects of CBD?
CBD has many positive effects on the mind and body, much of which has only recently been studied. Because of these promising effects, CBD has become a popular medical treatment for all types of issues, ranging from anxiety to inflammation. Of course, one of the most notable effects of CBD, or lack of effects, is that there is no high.
However, it offers much more than just this. It is known as an effective treatment for various types of pains in the body, including chronic pain, cancer-related pain, inflammation, broken bones, and even Parkinson’s disease.
For the mind, you can experience general feelings of well-being but with absolutely no high to come with it (unlike what you experience with THC), while it’s also thought to be an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and possibly even ADHD.
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