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Difference Between CBD and THC
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are two of the most well-known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. While they are both derived from the same plant, they have different effects on the body and mind, and therefore, are often used for different purposes.
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the most abundant compounds found in cannabis. It is a non-psychoactive compound, which means it does not produce the "high" associated with cannabis use. CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and is used to treat a wide range of health conditions. Some of the most common uses of CBD include pain relief, anxiety reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects. CBD is also used to treat seizures and is currently being studied for its potential in treating cancer.
Cannabidiol can be consumed by the body in multiple ways, like orally by mouth, inhalation of cannabis vapor or smoke or as an aerosol spray into the cheek. It is usually supplied as an oil consisting of only CBD as one of the active ingredients (no terpenes or added THC), dried cannabis, capsules, CBD-dominant hemp extract oil or as a prescribed liquid solution.
Several uses of CBD include; could reduce anxiety and depression, can relieve pain, can alleviate cancer related symptoms, reduces acne, might have neuroprotective properties, could benefit heart health, anti-tumour effects, diabetes prevention, substance abuse treatment, antipsychotic effects and anti-inflammatory qualities.
What is THC?
THC is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis, and it is the compound that produces the "high" that people experience when they consume marijuana. THC binds to the CB1 receptors in the brain, which are responsible for mood, appetite, and pain. When THC binds to these receptors, it can cause feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception.
Formation of THC − The metabolic pathway for THC synthesis also involves cannabigerolic acid. The enzyme tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) synthase helps catalyze the conversion of the cannabigerolic acid into the tetrahydrocannabinol.
What it binds to in the brain − The THC does bind to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor of the peripheral and central nervous system. It is this binding affinity of THC for this receptor that leads to the psychoactive effects of the THC. It also binds to another receptor, the CB2 receptor of nerve cells.
Psychoactive effects − THC has a definite psychoactive impact on the brain, and the extent of this depends on the concentration of the drug a person takes. It can cause a person to feel “high”, to have a sense of euphoria. The problem is that it can cause individuals to feel paranoid and may cause hallucinations. There is also evidence it can impair the learning ability if taken during adolescence.
Health benefits − The THC molecule does have some benefits for health. The chemical has been found to have antispasmodic and pain-killing qualities. It also has antioxidant abilities and helps to relax muscles. People who have itching from jaundice due to gallstones have also reported some relief from taking in THC. In addition, THC has been shown to help dilate the bronchial tubes.
Differences: CBD and THC
Due to the different ways that these compounds interact with the body, they are often used for different purposes. THC is primarily used for recreational purposes, as it produces the "high" that many people seek when consuming cannabis. THC has also been shown to have some medicinal properties, such as pain relief and reducing inflammation, making it useful for conditions such as chronic pain and multiple sclerosis.
CBD, on the other hand, is primarily used for medicinal purposes, as it does not produce the same psychoactive effects as THC. CBD has been shown to have a variety of potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety and depression, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain. CBD is often used in the form of oil, capsules, or topical creams, and it has been approved by the FDA for use in treating certain forms of epilepsy.
Another significant difference between CBD and THC is their legal status. While marijuana, which contains high levels of THC, is still illegal in many parts of the world, CBD derived from hemp is legal in most countries. Hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3% THC, which means that it does not produce the same psychoactive effects as marijuana.
The following table highlights the major differences between CBD and THC −
Characteristics |
CBD |
THC |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | CBD is cannabidiol of Cannabis that has a hydroxyl group in the molecule. |
THC is tetrahydrocannabinol of Cannabis that has a cyclic ring in the molecule. |
| Formation | The CBD is formed from cannabigerolic acid by the enzyme cannabidiolic-acid (CBDA) synthase. |
The THC is formed from cannabigerolic acid by the enzyme tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) synthase. |
| What it binds to in the brain | CBD binds to some non cannabinoid receptors such as 5-HT1a receptor, and it also helps to block the binding of THC to CB1. |
THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. |
| Psychoactive effects | The CBD has very little to no psychoactive effects. The THC does have moderate to large psychoactive effects on the brain because it binds to CB1. |
Effects of THC can include giving a person a feeling of euphoria, hallucinations, paranoia and anxiety. |
| Health benefits | CBD is known to have health benefits including helping children who have epilepsy, who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS); and it helps with anxiety and psychosis. |
THC also has health benefits and has been found to help with bronchodilation, with itching, and is useful as a muscle relaxant, antispasmodic and analgesic. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, CBD and THC are two different compounds found in the cannabis plant, with different effects on the body and mind. THC is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis, and it produces the "high" that people seek when consuming marijuana. CBD is non-psychoactive and interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, producing a variety of potential health benefits.
While THC is primarily used for recreational purposes, CBD is primarily used for medicinal purposes and has been approved by the FDA for use in treating certain forms of epilepsy. Finally, hemp-derived CBD is legal in most countries, while marijuana, which contains high levels of THC, is still illegal in many parts of the world.
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