Everything You Want to Know About CBD & THC
What is the difference between CBD & THC? Join us to find out!
Description: There are a lot of discussions about cannabis effects recently! Some are saying it should be legal because of all the benefits of CBD! Others are saying that THC comes with a lot of risks? What do you think? Are you certain that you have all the right information?
A simple truth is that marijuana marked a big part of our youth. Okay, truth to be told, we were rebellious teenagers, so smoking pot was an essential part of growing up. But, plenty of our friends who didn’t take any risks whatsoever also used to smoke it at parties, etc. Although the use of cannabis isn’t a new thing, at that time, it was somewhat of forbidden fruit. Hence, smoking or making cookies with it was super exciting. What are your experiences with pot?
As you probably know, the attitudes towards cannabis were significantly changing throughout history. They also varied from culture to culture. For example, in Asian and Native American cultures, it was pretty used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. In the occident, however, it was quickly labeled as harmful. The main reason for that is its psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
Recently, however, we see the winds shifting. First, it became clear that CBD which is extracted from hemp has plenty of positive effects on our health. Hence more and more states in the U.S. and countries worldwide started to legalize it. Further research showed there are plenty of cannabis effects and benefits. So now we are moving towards the legalization of marijuana as well.
At the same time, an increasing number of people are seeking supplements that can help improve their health, such as, protein powder cookies or alleviate the symptoms of existing health problems. Hence, more and more folks are becoming curious about the differences between CBD vs.THC and cannabis product’s effects.
CBD vs. THC How Are They Different
Okay, as you know by now, both THC and CBD are compounds found in a plant called Cannabis Sativa. Hemp is a strain of this plant. It comes with high CBD and low THC levels, which is the reason why it was removed from the Controlled Substances Act. Another strain, marijuana, comes with high levels of THC. However, it also contains CBD. Both of them have the same chemical composition, and they both interact with our endocannabinoid system. But the arrangement of chemical bonds between atoms in the molecules or, in other words, the structure of these compounds is different. Hence, they have different characteristics, and when we use them, our bodies receive them and react differently.
Cannabidiol – CBD
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a cannabis compound that has been researched for over 70 years already. When talking about cannabis effects, it is essential to mention that CBD is extracted from hemp. This strain of Cannabis sativa has 0.3 of THC, which creates the well-known psychoactive effects of cannabis. Hence, CBD products that came from hemp are legal in all fifty U.S states since 2018. Research showed that CBD has various health benefits, from reducing acne to improving heart health. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from that, it is effective in helping people with dealing with mental health issues.
Tetrahydrocannabinol –THC
You know, sometimes we wonder is it necessary to explain what THC is! Even those who never took a puff of joint know what it is. But, in case you somehow missed it – it is the reason why many people who smoke marijuana recreationally, do so. In other words, it is the compound found in cannabis responsible for the psychoactive effect, i.e, high feeling. It is also the reason why people have been suspicious forever about cannabis effects on brain development, etc. Although there are some side effects of cannabis which we will mention later, it is necessary to know that THC also comes with plenty of benefits. For example, despite plenty of people believing it kills brain cells, research clearly shows that THC has neuroprotective properties. Believe it or not, apart from that, studies show that THC stimulates the growth of brain cells.
How Does Cannabis Affect the Mind
We are pretty positive that you heard a bunch of times about adverse cannabis effects on memory, right? Are people telling you that you shouldn’t use marijuana because it will affect your ability to remember things making a mistake? Well, yes and no!. The thing you need to understand is that we have long-term and short-term memory. Now, if we consider the latter, then yes, intoxication with THC will undeniably lead to short-term memory loss. We all experienced it, haven’t we? At the same time, though, plenty of research clearly shows that cannabis has a positive impact on diseases like Alzheimer’s Huntington’s, and epilepsy. So, you see, talking about cannabis cognitive effects isn’t so straightforward. Indeed, using THC without any CBD can increase the risk of mental health problems. But if you combine them, these risks are minimal. Plus, CBD has been found to have a super positive impact on mental health issues.
The Impact of Cannabis on the Body
Apart from the fact that we know cannabis’s neurological effects in the sense that it helps with conditions such as Parkinson’s, it is essential to mention that CBD is highly beneficial for its anti-inflammatory properties. That means that it can help with conditions such as arthritis and other auto-immune disorders. Studies show that THC has a positive impact on chronic pain, which is a problem of more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. THC is also efficient for easing nausea and vomiting.
Side Effects of Cannabis
In general, CBD doesn’t have any significant side effects. In most cases, people tolerate it well even if they take high doses of it. However, there have been some reports of milder side effects such as dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. It is also questionable whether it is possible to establish the purity and quality of the product.THC, however, besides known enjoyable sensations, comes with various equally known side effects. Some of them are rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, memory loss, difficulty sleeping, vertigo, anxiety, panic attacks, and even paranoia.
Final Word
So that all about cannabis effects for today, folks! As you could notice, they come from the same plant, and they have the same chemical makeup. However, their properties make them very different compounds. THC is a reason why many people use marijuana recreationally, while CBD is more appreciated for its medicinal effects. However, it doesn’t mean that these two compounds are antagonistic. On the contrary, if they are used adequately, they complement each other! Have you tried any cannabis products? Are you interested in trying?
About the Author
Thomas Nemel is a freelance writer living in Detroit. He is covering all topics related to health & wellness, including those concerning alternative medicine. In his free time, Thomas likes to travel and explore new places.