A lot of us may have been lied to. When we were younger, we were taught all about the dangers of drugs. And yes, seeing as how most of us were in elementary school at the time, these were important lessons to learn. And for the most part, drugs can still be incredibly dangerous and most should be avoided entirely.
But over the years, cannabis has proven to be beneficial for people suffering from certain conditions. Some states have even legalized it for recreational use.
There are two main components in the cannabis plant: cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
And both THC and CBD products are growing in popularity, as cannabis is becoming more accessible. In fact, research shows that consumer sales of CBD products are expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2022.
But with this growing popularity, there are a few things you should know about the differences and similarities of CBD vs THC.
A Quick Breakdown
While CBD and THC are both found in the cannabis plant and both interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system, they have different effects.
THC strongly attaches to the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in our brains. This is what produces a high and euphoric sensation.
CBD may also attach to our CB1 receptors, but weakly. So consuming CBD alone won’t get you high.
It’s also important to note that medical marijuana is CBD dominant, and this CBD is usually sourced from hemp. Hemp is related to cannabis but contains less THC.
Whether you’re consuming THC or CBD, there are still benefits to both.
Benefits of CBD vs THC
CBD and THC have been used to treat symptoms of certain medical conditions, but they’re sometimes used for different ailments.
CBD can help with inflammatory bowel disease, depression, seizures, nausea, migraines, depression, and psychosis or other mental disorders.
THC, on the other hand, can aid in pain, nausea, anxiety, glaucoma, low appetite, insomnia, and muscle spasticity. You’ll notice some overlap in the benefits of THC and CBD, as both components can help many people find relief from insufferable conditions.
Side Effects
It’s worth mentioning that there are no serious or fatal side effects of CBD or THC if taken properly. Even if consumed in large doses, CBD is relatively well-tolerated by most people.
With that being said, you may experience some of the following if consuming THC: coordination issues, dry mouth, red eyes, slow reaction times, memory loss, or increased appetite (sometimes referred to as “munchies”).
When consuming CBD, you may experience fatigue, dizziness, or possible diarrhea.
These side effects can be worse if either CBD or THC is consumed by someone in their teens or younger, whose brain hasn’t fully developed yet. It’s for this reason that these products should only be consumed by those who have reached the consumption age of 21.
Drug Testing
THC can last in the body for days and even weeks after consumption. So it’ll likely show up on a drug test.
But CBD is pretty fair game. While there are CBD-sensitive drug tests available, it likely won’t show up on a standard drug test.
With that being said, it’s probably best to steer clear of cannabis products and keep your system clear if you need to pass a drug test.
The Legality of CBD vs THC
Luckily, most states allow for the consumption of medical marijuana to an extent. However, there are no federal laws that allow this, so cannabis laws are made at the state level. This means that you’d be breaking the law if you were to consume cannabis in a non-legal state.
It’s best to check with your individual state beforehand, as cannabis laws tend to change quickly.
How to Use
Both THC and CBD can be smoked, eaten as edibles, made into oils, gels, and more. And there are a variety of ways to use each of these methods.
Dispensaries like Harvest HOC provide consumers with many different options for consuming these products.
Learn More About What Cannabis Products Can Do for You
There’s still research being done about the additional benefits of CBD vs THC products. But if you or someone you know is suffering from any condition, or are interested in learning more, Harvest HOC may be a valuable resource for you.
Don’t hesitate to contact them today to learn more about different cannabis options.