CBD VS THC LEARN THE DIFFERENCES
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CBD AND THC
Understanding the effects of CBD is confusing when THC is sometimes mentioned too. Do they come from the same plant? Do they both make you ‘high’? How are they different, and how does a game of CBD vs THC play out? In order to help you, we’ve put together an informative guide on how to explain their differences.
CBD A non-Psychoactive cannabis plant compound
– Calming
– Relaxing
– Anti Stress
– Good for Anxiety
What is CBD?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol
It’s a cannabinoid – a natural compound – that’s found in cannabis plants (also known as Cannabis sativa). It is not considered a controlled substance and is 100% non-psychoactive, which means it doesn’t make you feel “high”.
What is THC?
THC stands for Tetrahydrocannabinol
Is also a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants (there are over 100 different cannabinoids in total). THC is the compound that’s responsible for causing the marijuana ‘high’. Because it’s considered a controlled substance, it is often deemed illegal.
DOES CBD HAVE THC IN IT?
CBD does not have any THC in it as they are two different compounds.
However, it’s important to know that CBD hemp products often have a very small percentage (0.2%) of THC, due to both compounds being in the cannabis plant when the CBD product is made – be it tinctures, oils, edibles, etc.
The main differences lie in how differently they react and affect the body. When introduced to your system CBD and THC both interact and have an effect on the endocannabinoid system.
IS CBD PSYCHOACTIVE?
The cannabidiol compound isn’t psychoactive, its chemical structure doesn’t allow it to bind to your body’s cannabinoid receptors. CBD and THC may look very similar in chemical structure but this subtle change lowers CBD’s binding affinity and causes it to have mild stimulating effects and helps your receptors to create more endocannabinoids, while THC alters the function of cannabinoid receptors by binding to them.
HOW IS CBD DIFFERENT TO THC?
The main difference between CBD and THC is the effects they have on you.
Put simply, THC gets you ‘high’ while CBD won’t.
This is because CBD does not bind effectively to our endocannabinoid system – the body’s unique system that regulates elements such as sleep, appetite, and our immune system. It’s this binding action that gives you that ‘high’ feeling.
THC initiates a psychological response via the endocannabinoid system’s cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1), found primarily in the central nervous system and the brain. When the CB1 receptor is activated, it produces a psychoactive effect.
CBD doesn’t bind with the CB1 receptors and so has no effect on your perception or sensorial experiences. In fact, research has suggested that when CBD is taken with THC, it can lessen the psychotropic effects of THC by suppressing the CB1-activating qualities and so protecting the consumer from getting too high.
THEIR ATOMIC ARRANGEMENT IS DIFFERENT
Without getting too scientific, CBD and THC may share the same chemical composition, but their atomic arrangements are different.
Both of them are considered cyclic compounds, which means one or more of the atoms in the compounds connect to form a ring. CBD has an open ring, while THC has a closed ring.
Why does this matter? It’s this arrangement that means they interact differently with the endocannabinoid system’s receptors.