If you’re considering CBD or THC, then you might want to know that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive compound that you can find in cannabis. This is what causes the high feeling from marijuana.
You might wonder how to choose between CBD and THC. You’re in luck!
This article will take a look at the difference between CBD and THC to help you along your journey. Read on to explore more about these compounds found in cannabis, and how they can help you today!
What Is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s found in marijuana and cannabis plants. CBD isn’t psychoactive like THC because it has little to no THC present.
You might wonder how long in your system that CBD will last. It can last for a few hours and is an attractive option for those who are looking for pain relief without the psychoactive properties. It’s first extracted from the cannabis plant and diluted with a carrier oil.
What Is THC?
THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is psychoactive and gives you the feeling of being high. THC attaches to the neurons in your body and changes the process that they use. Due to this, never drive or operate machinery while you have THC in your system.
Understanding Their Chemical Structure
When looking up the facts about THC and CBD, you might discover that they have a similar molecular structure. They have 2 oxygen atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 21 carbon atoms.
Since they’re similar to your body’s endocannabinoid they can interact with your cannabinoid receptors. This is what impacts the release of neurotransmitters in your brain.
Side Effects
Side effects that occur while using CBD tend to be from interactions with other drugs. CBD in large doses is often tolerated by your system.
Side effects from the different types of CBD can include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Appetite Changes
- Dizziness
- Weight Loss
Temporary side effects for THC can include:
- Anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Red eyes
- Dry mouth
- Slower reaction times
- Memory loss
- Coordination problems
Some believe that THC might cause long-term psychiatric effects that are negative. This is often the case for adolescents who consume THC since they’re still growing. There isn’t enough evidence that shows it causes psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
Differences
The main difference between CBD and THC is that CBD is non-psychoactive, while THC is. CBD often comes from hemp, while THC comes from marijuana.
Potential Benefits of CBD and THC
Research is still ongoing about the health benefits of each of these compounds. They might be helpful for conditions such as pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, anxiety, sleep difficulties, opioid dependence, and multiple sclerosis.
THC might help with:
- Tremors
- Glaucoma
- Insomnia
- Pain from migraines, arthritis, etc
- Poor appetite
CBD might help with:
- Seizures
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Migraines
- Inflammation
- PTSD
CBD might also help your heart health since it can lower your high blood pressure. This is important since high blood pressure can increase your risk of stroke, metabolic syndrome, heart attack, and other health conditions.
How To Take THC and CBD
From tinctures to gummies, you have options when it comes to taking CBD and THC. Some other popular choices are vape products, oils, sprays, and beverages.
You can also cook them into food. They can also be found in lotions and applied to your skin.
Which Should I Choose?
First, think about what you’re trying to help. If you’re just looking for a high feeling, then THC might be best for you.
For help with sleep, CBD might help you. Tremors and a poor appetite might be helped with THC.
Some people take both at the same time in order to decrease the effects of THC. It might help reduce your chances of developing psychiatric effects due to THC. Keep in mind that since they both work in a number of different ways inside of your brain, researchers don’t fully understand their full effects.
Drug Testing
Both CBD and THC can show up on drug tests since they can stay in your body for weeks or days at a time. This is due to them being stored in your body’s fat.
Not every drug test is able to pick up CBD. Many drug tests will instead look for marijuana or THC. Keep in mind that hemp can produce THC which means that only taking CBD can have your drug test come back positive.
Not all products that claim that they’re THC-free are. They can have low enough levels to be able to say that they’re THC-free.
Speak With Your Doctor
Before you begin, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor. They can interact with certain medications and help conditions.
They can impact how your body metabolizes certain medications. This can also cause serious side effects as well.
Take a look at the laws and regulations in your area to see what products are and aren’t legal. Even though CBD has small amounts of THC, it might still be illegal in your area.
Exploring the Difference Between CBD and THC
Now that you’ve explored this guide on the difference between CBD and THC, you should have a better idea of what to expect. Take your time figuring out what you’re looking for help with in order to choose the right product for your needs.
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