THC vs. CBD- Everything You Need To Know

THC vs. CBD

With the passage of medical and recreational marijuana laws, there has been an increase in concern about the distinction between two of the most common compounds found in the plant, THC and CBD. This has caused people to wonder whether CBD is effective when used alone. As a result, we've created this blog to educate you about the distinctions, health benefits, and drawbacks of both chemicals. This article will provide you all the information you need to decide whether to buy either for medical reasons or not.

What Are CBD and THC?

Hemp and cannabis both include the non-psychoactive compound known as CBD. Although it has been used as medicine for thousands of years, people are only now becoming more aware of its health benefits.

The first known use of Cannabis was in China to make tea. Chemist Roger Adams correctly identified CBD in 1940. His team also discovered other cannabinoids, such as CBN. CBD can be a supplement under many different brands and forms (including oils). It's also available as a prescription drug in many countries.

The compound in cannabis that makes you high is called THC. It is responsible for the euphoric sensation, relaxed muscles, and other effects of marijuana use. CBD does not have high levels of THC, so CBD users generally do not feel the "high" feeling when using CBD products. The chemical makeup of CBD and THC also differs. The difference mainly comes from how the atoms are arranged. 

THC is psychoactive. In simple terms, this means that THC affects the mind. CBD does affect the mind, but not in the same way as THC. It is said that CBD has more physiological impacts on the mind and body, like anti-inflammation and anti-anxiety. 

While CBD can be made from either hemp or Marijuana, it is frequently produced from hemp to reduce the amount of THC. The substance THC, on the other hand, comes from Marijuana.

What's Better For Pain, CBD or THC?

Although THC seems to affect how the mind experiences pain substantially, CBD may help treat pain right where it originates. According to a government-sponsored analysis of cannabis research, THC may be better than CBD in relieving chronic pain.

The review showed that products with a greater THC-to-CBD ratio than those with a higher CBD-to-THC ratio could better relieve chronic pain. This information should not be taken at face value as more research is needed to study the long-term effects of Cannabis use. 

Uses For CBD:

Prescription cannabidiol can be an effective seizure treatment. More research is needed to determine CBD's other advantages and safety. Some prescription CBD products may be used to treat epilepsy. CBD is being researched as a treatment for various disorders, such as:

  • Anxiety

  • Parkinson's disease

  • Schizophrenia

  • Diabetes

Why Does The Difference Matter? 

The difference between CBD and THC is essential because it can influence how you feel, how you function, and even your job prospects.

CBD has little psychoactive properties. THC is part of the same plant as CBD, but it does have psychoactive properties and can make you feel "high."

Suppose you smoke or vape, a low-quality product that is shown to contain CBD. It is possible that you are consuming low doses of THC that a drug test could detect. Some products might contain higher levels of THC than what's recommended for medical use; this could raise issues at work.

For example, suppose your employer has a drug policy prohibiting employees from using cannabis products (including THC). In that case, they could terminate your employment contract if they find out about it. Similarly, work in an environment with zero-tolerance drug use policies. Consuming any amount of THC could lead to disciplinary action or termination from your position.

Moderation is the key, as it is with everything. Marijuana has a variety of chemicals that can have varying effects depending on the amount used by a person. THC, for example, is primarily responsible for psychoactive effects like euphoria, whereas CBD has been shown to have anti-anxiety qualities. As additional study into the medical applications of Marijuana is conducted, we may eventually learn that THC and CBD can effectively treat various medical ailments. Until then, be aware of the distinctions between the two chemicals and their applications.

Looking for Medical Marijuana in Virginia?

Please schedule an appointment or contact us online if you believe you could benefit from medical Marijuana. Talk to one of our marijuana doctors to learn more about the benefits of natural medicine.

Headshot of Steven Fiore, MD

This article has been reviewed by Steven Fiore, MD.

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