THC vs CBD: What Is The Difference?
When joining the cannabis industry as a grower, retail business owner, or cannabis user, you will quickly learn there are three primary cannabis strains: Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid.
These marijuana strains can be further broken down by their cannabinoid content. The most common cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
There are over 113 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. However, THC and CBD are by far the most well-known and studied. CBD is known for its medicinal benefits while THC is known for its psychoactive properties.
However, they both offer a variety of benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we will compare and contrast THC vs CBD.
What Is THC?
Have you ever wondered why people get “high” from smoking weed? The answer lies in THC. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant.
THC is what gets users “high.” It binds to the CB1 receptors in the brain and produces a variety of psychological and physical effects.
THC activates the brain’s reward system, causing the user to feel pleasurable effects. This is a result of the dopamine release that occurs when THC binds to the CB1 receptors. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with the “reward center” of the brain.
THC is usually administered by smoking or vaporizing cannabis. However, it can also be consumed in edibles or taken as a tincture. The effects of THC can vary depending on the method of administration
For example, smoking or vaporizing cannabis will produce a quicker and more intense high than consuming an edible.
What Is CBD?
When CBD (cannabidiol) was first discovered in the 1940s, scientists had no idea what cannabinoid they had found. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. This means that CBD will not get you “high.”
CBD is non-intoxicating and does not interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system in the same way that THC does. Instead, CBD works to modulate and balance the effects of THC. CBD can actually counteract some of the more negative effects of THC, such as paranoia and anxiety.
CBD is derived from both the cannabis plant and hemp plants. Hemp-derived CBD is non-psychoactive and federally legal in the United States. Cannabis-derived CBD is psychoactive and only legal in states with legalized cannabis.
CBD can be consumed in a variety of ways, including smoking or vaporizing cannabis, consuming edibles, taking tinctures, and using topical creams or patches. CBD is also available in a variety of cannabis strains, including both Indica and Sativa strains.
THC vs CBD: What Are The Differences?
The difference between THC and CBD lies behind 3 main factors. They include:
- Psychoactive Properties
- Chemical Structure
- Sources
Psychoactive Properties
The main difference between THC and CBD is that THC produces psychoactive effects while CBD does not. This means that THC will get you “high” while CBD will not.
THC activates the brain’s reward system and produces a pleasurable high while CBD does not. This is a result of THC’s interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
CBD does not make you high because it does not interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system in the same way that THC does. Instead, CBD causes the body to produce more of its own endocannabinoids.
This creates a state of balance in the body, which can counteract some of the negative effects of THC.
Chemical Structure
The chemical structure of THC and CBD are similar, but not identical. They both look similar to the body’s own endocannabinoids. This is one of the reasons why they are able to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
However, the slight difference in their chemical structure is what causes the different effects that they have on the body. THC has a slightly different shape than CBD, which allows it to bind more tightly to the CB1 receptors in the brain. This is what causes THC’s psychoactive effects.
CBD, on the other hand, has a lower binding affinity for the CB1 receptors. This is one of the reasons why CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects.
CBD also binds to other receptors in the body, including the CB2 receptors. This is thought to be one of the reasons why CBD has a variety of therapeutic effects.
Sources
THC and CBD are both derived from the cannabis plant. However, they can also be found in other plants. THC is only found in cannabis plants, while CBD can be found in both cannabis and hemp plants.
Hemp is a type of cannabis plant that contains very low levels of THC. In fact, the THC content in hemp is so low that it cannot produce any psychoactive effects. This is why CBD products that are derived from hemp are legal in the United States.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know the difference between THC and CBD, you can make a more informed decision about which one is right for you.
If you’re looking for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, then THC is the cannabinoid for you. However, if you’re looking for the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the high, then CBD is the cannabinoid for you.
At Weed Delivery NYC, we carry both high CBD and high THC products so you can get exactly what you need from a medical standpoint delivered right to your door.
If you need more help feel free to contact us today to see what would be best for your current situation.