A hot topic for this year is CBD (cannabidiol) versus THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Cannabidiol, or CBD, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, are two of the many cannabinoids found in marijuana. CBD and THC interact with cannabinoid receptors while they are in the body to help relieve or limit the symptoms of different conditions.

Difference between Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol
Throughout the human body, there are hundreds of cannabinoid receptors that cause different physiological effects. The potential uses of these cannabinoids include the treatment of the following: 

1. Pain
2. Cancer
3. Nausea
4. Asthma
5. Glaucoma
6. Weight loss
7. Muscle Spasms
8. Multiple Sclerosis
9. Spinal Cord Injuries
10. Alzheimer’s disease

Appetite Loss and Eating Disorders

Both CBD and THC are natural compounds derived from the same plant - Cannabis Sativa. So what is the difference between Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol? 

Eating Disorders

 

CBD and THC are two of the most important cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis and hemp produce CBD and THC. Cannabis, though, has a higher THC concentration. Hemp has a higher CBD concentration. 

The most noticeable difference between CBD and THC is the lack of psychoactive effects for CBD, which usually does not cause the high THC level characteristic of marijuana. 

The chemical composition of CBD and THC is the same, with 21 carbon atoms, 30 atoms of hydrogen, and two atoms of oxygen. The distinction is that they do not have the same chemical arrangement and they are received as separate compounds by the body. In your brain, these compounds bind to neurotransmitters and affect things such as mood, pain, sleep, and memory.

Also read: How to Lose Weight Faster?

In this article, we explain the differences between CBD and THC in more detail.

Psychoactive Component

The THC compound is the one that is best known for the high feeling you get from it, a psychoactive response. And it is still illegal in several jurisdictions. 

CBD, on the other hand, is considered a 'non-psychoactive' compound, which means you don't get the high level we associate with THC. Although CBD can legally contain traces of THC up to 0.3%, this is not enough to elicit a psychoactive response. 

CBD, without the psychoactive side effects, is considered to have several promising health benefits.

Medical Benefits

Both molecules interact with the endocannabinoid mechanism of your body (ECS). According to Normal, the endocannabinoid system is "perhaps the most important physiological system involved in establishing and maintaining human health." It plays a role, including sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction, and fertility, in the regulation of many functions and processes. 

Although they both interact with the ECS system, they have distinct properties with different medicinal benefits.

Differences

While both CBD and THC are present in marijuana and interfere with the endocannabinoid system, a person should be aware of certain important differences:

CBD Benefits

THC Benefits

CBD oil has many health effects associated with consuming it. CBD connects to the cannabinoid receptors in your body, and people report that CBD helps with complex problems such as arthritis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer treatment. Others use it to treat milder everyday issues like skin health, sleep, anxiety, general pain, and brain health. 

There are many ways to take CBD. CBD is sold as tablets or oil tinctures, edibles or you can also lather it into a cream (like the ones you see here on our website).

THC Benefits

More than half of the states in the United States have legalized "medical marijuana," which means that to use it you must have a prescription. The effects of THC are known to offset many painful symptoms associated with chronic pain and nausea.

Getting high

Although they are both cannabinoids, CBD and THC interact with slightly different receptors in a person's brain. 

As a consequence, it is impossible that CBD can hit a person high. On the other hand, THC produces high people associated with recreational marijuana use. 

CBD-dominant medical marijuana contains minimal THC. As a result, a person will not feel stoned while taking the medicine. 

Medicinal marijuana which contains THC will cause the person to experience a high effect while taking the drug.

Where do they come from?

In marijuana, both CBD and THC are contained. 

When a user uses a CBD dominant form of medical marijuana, however, they use hemp CBD, which is closely similar to marijuana. 

THC comes from the marijuana plant, and people extract it from this source.

Benefits

For the treatment of medical disorders, CBD and THC have related effects. However, there are variations in the uses of each substance. 

Usually, people use CBD to help treat the following: 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

• Seizures
• Migraines
• Inflammation
• The Depression
• Psychosis or Mental Disorders 

THC has potential uses in the processing of some of the following: 

Insomnia
• Glaucoma
• Poor Appetite
• Muscle Spasticity 

People can use either one to help treat: 

• Pain
Anxiety
• Nausea

Legality

Many states in North America have approved people with at least limited medical marijuana use. 

Each state differs somewhat as to how the lawful usage, prescription, or selling of marijuana is described and regulated. 

There is no federal law authorizing the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes. As a result, in any jurisdiction that does not have a statute authorizing individuals to do so, it is unethical to use or administer medical marijuana. 

The medicinal use of marijuana has been legalized by many states. As with medical marijuana, recreational use is not legal at the federal level. 

A person should review the laws of their state before acquiring medical marijuana. If the state does not explicitly allow its use, a person could face legal problems obtaining or using marijuana for medical or other purposes. 

The laws surrounding the use of medical and recreational marijuana are changing rapidly. As they can update or are in the process of changing, a person who is considering using CBD or THC should periodically review their local laws.

Side effects

There are very few side effects of CBD or THC. 

CBD rarely exhibits any visible side effects, even when taken in very large doses. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated in its research that “CBD is tolerated in all patients, with no signs of toxicity or serious side effects. 

If any side effects were detected, it was usually the result of the interaction of CBD with another drug that the person was taking at the same time. Always consult a doctor, especially if you plan to take CBD while taking other medications. 

On the other hand, THC has a few well-known side effects, such as elevated heart rate, balance issues, dry mouth, red eyes, decreased response time, and lack of memory. These side effects are associated with the psychoactive properties of the compound. 

In fact, CBD has no known side effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is safe in high amounts and the only potential side effects are likely to be the result of interactions with other drugs that a person may take. 

A person consuming THC may experience temporary side effects. These may include: 

• Dry Mouth
• Red Eyes
• Slower Than Average Response Times
• A General Feeling of Being High
• Memory Loss
• Coordination Problems
• Increased Heart Rate 

Adolescents, in particular, can experience unwanted psychiatric effects from getting high. This may be because a teenager's brain is still developing. 

According to some research, regular or high doses of THC can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia in some people predisposed to the disease. 

Neither CBD nor THC has any apparent serious side effects. Neither can be fatal when taken correctly. In addition, people who use THC recreationally appear to have little risk of developing an addiction to it.

Drug Testing

Standard drug tests usually look for chemicals related to THC, so you can expect THC to show up on a screen. 

Does CBD contain THC? 

The short answer is yes. CBD products can contain traces of THC, up to 0.3%. While it will never be enough to cause any of the psychoactive side effects to be almost insignificant and such a small amount, it is still likely to come upon a drug test. 

Smoke or vaporize cannabis or CBD
Some people want to smoke or vaporize cannabis or CBD, but for persons with such illnesses, this might not be feasible. 

CBD is available in various forms. These include: 

Oils
• Candies
Gummies
• Supplements 

Also, THC can come in various ways, including: 

• Oils
• Capsules
• Tinctures
Smokeable Products
• Edible, Such As Brownies

Takeaway

CBD and THC are also cannabinoids present in marijuana. 

Although similar in what they can help treat, the most important difference is that THC will induce a feeling of euphoria, unlike CBD. 

Before receiving and using CBD or THC, individuals must familiarize themselves with local rules.

CBD and THC are still federally illegal substances and only approved for drug or recreational use in certain states.

Summery
From the same cannabis plant, CBD and THC are derived. But these two compounds have distinct properties that separate them from each other. A high feeling or psychoactive influence is associated with THC, and CBD is best known for its health benefits. Before using either, be sure to check with your doctor and determine how these will affect other medications you are already taking.