CBD vs. THC

CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference?

As the legal use of marijuana products grows, cannabis consumers are becoming more curious about their options. This includes CBD and THC, two natural compounds found in the Cannabis plant.

CBD can be extracted from hemp or from marijuana. Hemp plants are cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3 percent THC, while marijuana plants are cannabis plants that contain higher concentrations of THC.

THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the high sensation.

Both compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, but they have very different effects.

CBD vs. THC: Psychoactive components
Despite their similarities, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects. In fact, CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound. That means it doesn’t produce the “high” associated with THC.

THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain. It produces a high or sense of euphoria.

CBD binds very weakly, if at all, to CB1 receptors. In fact, it can interfere with the binding of THC and dampen the psychoactive effects.

CBD vs. THC: Medical benefits
CBD and THC have many of the same medical benefits. They can provide relief from several of the same conditions. However, CBD doesn’t cause the euphoric effects that occur with THC. Some people may prefer to use CBD because of the lack of this side effect.

CBD is used to help with other various conditions, such as:

seizures
inflammation
pain
psychosis or mental disorders
inflammatory bowel disease
nausea
migraines
depression
anxiety

THC is used to help with conditions such as:

pain
muscle spasticity
glaucoma
insomnia
low appetite
nausea
anxiety

CBD vs. THC: Side effects

CBD is well-tolerated, even in large doses.

THC causes temporary side effects, such as:

increased heart rate
coordination problems
dry mouth
red eyes
slower reaction times
memory loss
These side effects are part of the compound’s psychoactive properties.

Neither compound is fatal.

CBD vs. THC: Drug testing
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are stored in the body’s fat. They can show up on drug tests for several days or weeks after you use them.

Not every drug test will be able to detect CBD, but CBD-sensitive tests are available. Most standard drug tests will look for chemicals related to THC, so THC or marijuana use might show up on a screening.

Likewise, hemp can produce some THC in addition to CBD, so a test could be positive for THC even if you’ve not used it.CBD and THC are two of the most prominent cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. Both marijuana and hemp produce CBD and THC.

However, marijuana has a higher concentration of THC. Hemp has a higher concentration of CBD.

Takeaway
CBD and THC both have medical benefits. They’re also both considered safe, but consider the possibility of side effects and interactions with other drugs you’re taking. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions.