CBD VS THC : what’s the big difference between these two compounds that can be found in the plant, and why are they different?
With the recent developments surrounding the legalisation of CBD in more and more places (in the US as well as certain places in Asia : see Thailand CBD), more and more people are hearing previously uncommon words such as cannabis and hemp.
Here’s a quick recap if you have not read about the cannabis plant. Cannabis is a plant that produces a thick substance called cannabinoids. There are more than 100 chemicals present in cannabis. And they cause drug-like reactions in your body. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products.
Now, the difference between marijuana and hemp is this : marijuana contains much more THC than hemp, while hemp has a lot of CBD.
CBD VS THC : Difference 1
CBD and THC actually have the same building blocks between them – 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. The difference lies in the way the atoms are arranged. This gives CBD and THC different chemical properties, and they affect your body differently.
Both CBD and THC work with receptors that release neurotransmitters in your brain. They can affect things like pain, mood, sleep, and memory.
CBD VS THC : How CBD and THC Affect the Body
THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. What that means is that it contains chemicals that makes people feel “high.”
There are two types of cannabinoid receptors in our bodies. THC binds with receptors — mostly in the brain — that control pain, mood, and other feelings. That’s why THC can make you feel euphoric and give you that so-called high. This is the reason why marijuana is mostly banned in many places.
CBD doesn’t cause that high. Instead, it’s thought to work with other elements in the body linked to feelings of well-being. However, because it is only recently introduced to the public sphere, there are still many who don’t know of CBD (that’s what this site is for : a layman’s resource to the world of CBD).
CBD is generating quite a lot of interest in the scientific community, and the National Institutes of Health clinical trials database shows more than 160 trials involving CBD that are either active or recruiting.
CBD VS THC : Side Effects
THC can cause:
- Problems with concentration
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Balance
- Memory loss
Side effects from CBD can include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Tiredness
- Lightheadedness
- Crankiness
- Low blood pressure
- Drowsiness
So there you go. There’s still a lot to learn of CBD and we’ve got plenty of ground still to cover. So keep on reading and remember to keep on the metta. Cheers!