What’s the Difference Between CBD and THC?

While you’ve almost certainly heard of marijuana, there are two related terms you may not be as familiar with: cannabidinol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD and THC are the two main ingredients that form naturally in the resin of marijuana plants, and both belong to a distinct class of compounds called cannabinoids. The thing most people find surprising is that although both CBD and THC interact with the cannabinoid receptors found in the human body, each compound creates very different effects.

What is THC? The main psychoactive component of the marijuana plant is THC, and many strains of marijuana have ample amounts of it. It’s what brings on the feeling of being “high” when marijuana is used, as well as changes in the user’s sleeping and eating habits. Other effects include relaxation, fatigue and reduced aggression. Medically, the cannabinoid THC may help treat the side effects of chemotherapy, spinal injury, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and more.

What is CBD? Even though CBD shares the same chemical formula as THC, it does not create the same psychoactive effects as THC. In fact, CBD has the exact opposite effect. Because it doesn’t make the user feel “high,” this cannabinoid is considered a good option for medical applications. CBD is known to reduce psychoactive symptoms, relieve nausea, lower anxiety and decrease inflammation. It also may be used to treat depression and help with the side effects of cancer treatment, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.

It’s not a bad idea to stop in at your local head shop in Scottsdale, AZ for more information on the subject. For now, here’s a broken-down explanation of the differences between the two cannabinoid compounds, CBD and THC:

• High, no high: The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is THC, while CBD has no psychoactive effects. THC gets you high, but CBD cannot. The lack of a high from CBD is unappealing to recreational marijuana users; however, this is a major draw for its use as a medicine—medical professionals lean more toward treatments with minimal side effects.
• Anxiety levels: It’s no secret that THC can cause some people to feel greater levels of anxiety or paranoia. On the other hand, CBD is thought to have the opposite effect, working to counteract the anxiety induced by the ingestion of THC. Also, studies show that CBD by itself may have the ability to reduce anxiety.
• Antipsychotic properties: Not only is CBD non-psychoactive, but it may hold antipsychotic properties as well. Additionally, research has gathered that CBD can balance out or reduce the effects of THC to prevent marijuana users from getting too high.
• Sleep vs. awake: It’s believed that THC is the sleep-aid part of marijuana, while CBD promotes wakefulness. Therefore, some strains of cannabis make users feel drowsy while other strains heighten an individual’s energy level.
• Legal standing: There are strict laws in place that regulate marijuana and THC. The legal status of CBD is not as clear.

For the best selection of counterculture and smoke products, visit Coughing Canary—we’re your go-to head shop in Scottsdale, AZ!

Categorised in: Head Shop

This post was written by Writer