CBD VS. THC: What’s the difference?
As the legal use of Industrial Hemp and other Hemp products grows, consumers are becoming more curious about their options. This includes the most famous Cannabinoids, Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), two natural compounds found in plants of the Cannabis genus.
CBD can be extracted from Industrial Hemp or Cannabis. Industrial Hemp and Cannabis come from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Legal Industrial Hemp must contain 0.2 percent THC or less. CBD is sold in the form of cosmetics, edibles, oils, supplements, extracts, and more.
THC is the main psychoactive compound in Cannabis that produces the high sensation. It can be consumed by smoking Cannabis. It’s also available in oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and more.
Both compounds interact with your body’s Endocannabinoid System, but they have very different effects.
Read on to learn more about these compounds. While they may have a lot in common, they have some key differences that determine how they’re used.
Both CBD and THC have the exact same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. A slight difference in how the atoms are arranged accounts for the differing effects on your body.
Both CBD and THC are chemically similar to your body’s Endocannabinoids. This allows them to interact with your cannabinoid receptors.
The interaction affects the release of neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for relaying messages between cells and have roles in pain, immune function, stress, and sleep, to name a few.
CBD VS. THC: PSYCHOACTIVE COMPONENTS
Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects. CBD is psychoactive, just not in the same manner as THC. It doesn’t produce the high associated with THC. CBD is shown to help with anxiety, depression, and seizures.
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. CBD needs THC to bind to the CB1 receptor and, in turn, can help reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC, such as euphoria or sedation.
Before you try to buy products with CBD or THC, it’s important to research your countries laws.
WHY DO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THC CONTENT IN CBD OIL IF THC AND CBD ARE TWO DIFFERENT COMPOUNDS?
CBD and THC are two of the most prominent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Both cannabis and Industrial Hemp produce CBD and THC.
However, cannabis has a higher concentration of THC. Industrial Hemp has a higher concentration of CBD.
The average Cannabis strain today contains about 12 percent THC. CBD oil may contain small amounts of THC (e.g. Full Spectrum) because it’s present at low levels in the Industrial Hemp plant. CBD products can have no more than 0.2 percent THC to be legal in many countries.