CBD vs. THC
You’ve probably heard a lot about marijuana as it becomes legal in more and more states. It comes from the cannabis plant, which produces a viscous liquid that is full of compounds called cannabinoids. The cannabis plant produces more than 100 cannabinoids, including the two main ones that have pharmacological effects on the body: THC and CBD.
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Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. It’s what gives you a “high” when you smoke marijuana or eat edibles.
THC-containing goods, including marijuana, are classified as Schedule 1 prohibited drugs by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This shows that the DEA thinks marijuana has a significant potential for abuse and no current medical value, even though it is legal in several states and cities, including for medical purposes.
Hashing, hash oil, and plants or flowers are the three most frequent forms of THC. The herbal variety is the most popular. It is made from dried cannabis buds, leaves, and flowers that may be smoked or used to meals and drinks.
The resin that is removed from the buds is refined or compressed to make hash, a solid or paste-like substance. The strongest form, hash oil, is produced when the resin in hash is purified into its purest form.
What is CBD?
The abbreviation for cannabidiol is CBD. It also comes from the cannabis plant. Despite their similarities, CBD and THC are not psychoactive and do not provide the same “high” sensations. Sale of CBD is governed by state laws, even though it is more easily accessible than THC in the US.
CBD comes in a variety of forms, including topical lotions, oils, extracts, patches, and vape pens. It is said to provide a number of health benefits. Additionally, it is the active ingredient of Epidiolex, the first marijuana-based medication authorized by the FDA to treat epilepsy.
Where Did THC and CBD Come From?
The plant species that produces both THC and CBD is Cannabis sativa. Nonetheless, there are significant differences between the two.
One type of cannabis plant that is commonly used to make CBD is hemp. Hemp usually has less than 0.3% THC. Cannabis plants with THC concentrations more than 0.3% are classified as marijuana.
THC and CBD are derived from a substance that is present on the leaves and buds of female cannabis plants. CBD may also be found in the blossoming heads of hemp plants.
Synthetic cannabinoids are artificial substances that mimic THC’s effects. They are frequently called Spice, K2, or synthetic marijuana. The psychoactive elements have effects different from those of THC and can produce notable reactions.
The Chemical Composition of THC and CBD
With 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms, CBD and THC have the same molecular composition. However, the atoms have various chemical properties and unique effects on your body due to their varied atomic configurations.
Both affect how your brain’s cells communicate with one another.
How THC and CBD Affect the Body
You get a variety of affects when you ingest THC and CBD. This is the approach.
CBD’s effects
Researchers have identified many “molecular targets” in your body that CBD can affect.
However, it is still unclear how exactly CBD works. Researchers think it slows down brain communications, lowers inflammation in the brain, and changes the quantity of calcium in brain cells—a crucial component of intercellular communication.
One of the main concerns is what other substances CBD products could include. Since the FDA has little authority over most of them, no one can guarantee their purity. Over 25% of CBD products included less CBD than what was listed on the label, and some of them also contained THC, according one study.
This may cause your drug test to come out falsely positive. The FDA has repeatedly cautioned the companies that promote these products and encourages customers to use caution before using them.
THC’s effects
THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, stimulates the pleasure centers in your brain. Dopamine, the hormone that soothes and makes you feel happy, is also released.
The amount of THC in marijuana varies. As the dosage increases, so does its potency and the quantity of effects it has on your body and brain. Today’s cannabis plants are stronger than ever. The average THC level of marijuana has risen from about 4% in the mid-1990s to 15% now.