THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CBD AND THC

The CBD-THC story began as a single controversial plant, cannabis, finding its way through ancient history into the modern industry.?

Archaeological evidence established theories of cannabis being applied in therapy and manufacturing throughout the world. The plant was used by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Assyrians, Greeks, Persians, and Romans for numerous purposes.?

For the most part, ancient cultures used it as herbal medicine and grew it to make textiles and ropes because low-THC hemp flowers were the fad. However, the same archaeological evidence shows that ancient cultures knew about the psychoactive properties and cultivated highly psychoactive varieties for religious ceremonies or healing practices.?

The ability of cannabis to serve all of these functions is rooted in its barrage of compounds called phytocannabinoids. These phytocannabinoids exist inherently within the plant in varying amounts, depending on the species and form of cultivation. However, of these hundreds, CBD and THC are the most popular because they naturally occur in larger quantities in the plant.?

THE INTEREST IN CBD

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is the most abundant naturally occurring compound in the cannabis plant. It has been researched and found to offer many health benefits and, according to some people, some side effects. As a result, there has been a long-running debate about its legalization. However, researchers keep finding out there is more to this compound than meets the eye.?

Currently, CBD is legal, but only when extracted from hemp. This is because the hemp flower legally contains negligible amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound. CBD derived from the marijuana plant remains federally illegal in the U.S.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN CBD AND THC

CBD and THC have gained immense popularity as primary derivatives of the cannabis plant. Despite being affiliated with different cannabis forms - CBD with hemp and THC with marijuana, these two are postulated to possess therapeutic potential due to their interactions with the human endocannabinoid system.?

THC is a psychoactive compound also known as Delta-8 THC. It is typically consumed by smoking cannabis (marijuana), eating edibles, and drinking infused beverages. However, THC isn’t just Delta-8 THC. There are two abundant types of THC in the cannabis plant: Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC.?

The Delta-8 THC, though less abundant, is preferred for consumer safety because it is less psychoactive and can thus provide a less overwhelming effect to its consumer. Most states that legalize CBD also sell Delta-8 THC at their dispensary stores.?

Contrary to most speculations, CBD is also psychoactive. The compound delivers mind-altering effects but in a more subtle and controllable manner. Thus, this realization begs a clear distinction between “psychoactive” and “intoxicating.”?

While CBD is psychoactive and non-intoxicating, THC is psychoactive and intoxicating. As a result, it is advisable for THC consumers to wait out its effect before engaging in activities that will require absolute focus.?

Another blindingly close similarity between these two compounds is they both start out from the same cannabinoid, the CBGA or cannabigerolic acid. All young cannabis plants start their cannabinoid journeys from CBGA, a precursor to CBG. The enzymatic reaction in the plant’s glandular trichomes is what takes the CBGA to THCA, CBDA, CBCA, etc.?

As the physiological reactions progress, these “A” compounds lose their “A” (acidic forms). THCA becomes THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBDA becomes CBD (cannabidiol), CBCA becomes CBC (cannabichromene), and so forth.?

WHAT ARE CBD AND THC??

As already discussed, CBD and THC are both ingredients of the cannabis plant. They are naturally present in all three of its species: Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa, and Cannabis ruderalis. But most extracts are derived from the Cannabis sativa flower.?

Therefore, "hemp" and "marijuana" are not species of the cannabis flower. They are just subgroups of Cannabis sativa with the core purpose of helping people and the law to tell the difference between marijuana and hemp plants.

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is any cannabis plant that contains “no more than 0.3% THC.” Thus, because this flower contains more CBD than THC, it is less psychoactive and non-intoxicating.?

The “intoxicating” feature of the THC compound constitutes the main difference between these two cannabinoids. It is the reason for marijuana's widespread illegal status and hemp's rising chance to make global history.

WHAT IS HEMP-DERIVED CBD?

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp after researchers established its beneficial potential for health and wellness. Hemp plants became increasingly popular, and almost everyone started cultivating hemp for one reason: hemp-derived CBD.?

Hemp-derived CBD is, as its name denotes, CBD obtained from hemp. It may come from the leaves, stems, or flowers. As earlier stated, it is the only federally legal CBD form in the United States because of the negligible presence of THC.?

However, there are various other types of low-THC flowers. Some marijuana varieties are bred to contain equal amounts of CBD and THC, and sometimes high quantities of CBD with lesser parts of THC (about 5%); these do not make them hemp.?

There are three types of hemp-derived CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. The full-spectrum and broad-spectrum forms may include more cannabinoids than the hemp-derived CBD and are thus potentially more potent than isolates because more cannabinoid contents allow a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.?

The entourage effect is a science founded on the knowledge that the interaction between various compounds in a substance creates a more wholesome experience.?

Thus, the growing accusation of medical marijuana-derived CBD being more potent than hemp-derived CBD is largely untrue. Unless it is full-spectrum or broad-spectrum cannabis, medical marijuana-derived CBD and hemp-derived CBD from the same flower, grade, and quality would contain the same compound, CBD.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CBD??

Certain CBD products may not contain THC or other cannabinoids, but this doesn’t make them ineffective. The compound cannabidiol has been a hot topic for several years now as a source of a wide range of potential applicational and medicinal benefits.?

Although obtained from the same parent cannabinoid and present in the same plant, CBD varies profoundly from THC in its effects and benefits. Some of its unique qualities include:?

MODE OF OPERATION: While CBD and THC interact with the human endocannabinoid system, CBD does not bind well with its two primary receptors, CB1 and CB2, which is why it does not cause a high. Instead, cannabidiol augments the number of natural endocannabinoids in our body system and triggers their activities, a potential reason behind its multiple therapeutic benefits.?

TREATMENT OF ANXIETY: The ability of CBD to effectively address feelings of anxiety is the reason it is labeled psychoactive. Unlike THC, which is known to cause a euphoric high, CBD gives a clearer head due to its interaction with a different receptor group in the brain and body. Even when ingested with THC, CBD has been found to most often mellow than augment the THC sensations.?

TREATMENT OF EPILEPTIC DISORDERS: One of the most notable feats accomplished in cannabis medicine was the treatment of severe, rare forms of pediatric epilepsies with CBD. Due to the anti-seizure activities of the compound, the first whole-plant CBD form, Epidiolex, was approved by the FDA to treat cases of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastatut syndrome.?

TREATMENT OF PSYCHOSIS: Another prominent area where CBD distinguishes itself from THC is in the medical field of psychosis. Several studies have shown that THC alleviates the risk of developing conditions like schizophrenia and may trigger symptoms in those diagnosed with this condition. However, CBD has proven to have high antipsychotic effects and may aid treatments for schizophrenia.?

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THC?

Sir William O’Shaughnessy's observation on cannabis extracts soothing stomach pain and vomiting in people suffering from cholera was realized as an effect of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for the mind-altering effect delivered by the marijuana plant.?

Scientists inferred that since THC interacts with areas of the brain that control nausea and hunger, it released the observed effects. Their theory also potentially explains why people get the “munchies” (the uncontrollable desire to eat) from THC.?

Identifying this therapeutic benefit with the THC compound led the United States Food and Drug Administration to approve two prescription THC-infused drugs for treating nausea in cancer chemotherapy patients and appetite loss in AIDS patients, Marinol and Syndros.?

Other notable effects of THC include:?

AN EUPHORIC HIGH: Unlike CBD, THC plugs neatly into the body's CB1 and CB2 receptors. The compound which bears striking similarities to the endocannabinoid, Anandamide, a chemical involved in relaxation, attaches itself to the brain and triggers FAAH, a degrading enzyme. However, because THC is not an endocannabinoid, it is not degraded by FAAH and persists at its brain site, releasing its intoxicating feeling for a long-lasting high.?

TREATMENT OF PTSD: The affinity of THC for the CB1 receptors may also calm symptoms triggered during PTSD. In its final form, THC creates feelings of relaxation by, according to some reports, reducing adrenaline production, which is spiked during trauma. Other reports state THC achieves its efficacy with PTSD treatments through “extinction learning” - blocking away traumatic experiences.

WAYS TO CONSUME CBD AND THC

There are currently dozens more CBD and THC products on the market than eight years ago. Cannabis extract products have risen from obscurity to popularity, and the innovative boost has given consumers numerous options.?

The many consumption prospects for CBD and THC products fall into a few broad categories, each with their unique benefits and setbacks.?

INHALATION:?

This technique can be said to be the most popular way of smoking cannabis. In this method, the high-CBD or high-THC product is absorbed as vapor. Some systems under this technique include smoking and vaporizing.?

Smoking involves burning the flowers in a joint, pipe, or bong to vapourize and inhale the gas. While vaporizing (or vaping) requires heating the flower or extract in a dab rig or vape pen to release a cleaner vapor.?

Several factors control the quality and experience of both techniques, including and most especially, product type and grade. It is, therefore, best advised to play it safe with top-shelf products.?

Nonetheless, this technique category isn't the most appreciated due to the potential health hazards of smoking and the contaminants of some vaporizers. Plus, some cannabinoids are lost in combustion or as vapor. However, inhalation is the quickest way to get the "hit" because the cannabinoids go directly into the bloodstream, avoiding digestion.?

ORAL CONSUMPTION:?

This category constitutes capsules, edibles, tinctures, etc. Each option offers fantastic features for its target consumers. For instance, CBD capsules are more popular among the elderly because they mimic conventional medicinal capsules and lack the taste of CBD oil and tinctures.?

Among the several, edibles are the fastest-growing for the CBD and THC consumer. These products mask the smell and taste of the cannabis extracts in foods and beverages. Some of the more popular varieties of these forms are CBD gummies and lollipops.

A core factor to note with the oral consumption method, especially edibles, is they might take several hours to manifest. It is, therefore, always advised not to consume too much at once to avoid getting an overwhelming hit 2 or 3 hours later. Take a small amount, and wait at least an hour or two before having another.

SUB-LINGUAL ABSORPTION

You've probably heard about tinctures and maybe wondered what they are. They are under this category. Quite contrary to the simple belief, just because it goes through the mouth doesn’t make it an oral product.?

Sub-lingual absorption techniques follow the simple process of oral ingestion but stop absorption at the mouth zone. By following this pattern, the products do not have to go through digestion and thus act faster and have more potent effects.?

Other products designed for this system of consumption include lozenges and oils. Oils often contain greater cannabinoid concentrations than tinctures and are usually administered or consumed for more chronic medical conditions. Also, certain cannabinoid oils are preferred for their absence of flavors and ability to do well with carrier products.

TOPICAL APPLICATION

Cannabinoid topicals are designed to be applied directly to the skin. These products include infused lotions, creams, balms, and transdermal patches. In most cases, their patrons consist of persons seeking alternatives to direct consumption methods.?

Topicals are excellent options for treating localized conditions, such as eczema. According to a 2015 study, CBD gel significantly decreased joint swelling in rats when applied to the skin, indicating positive outcomes for persons with conditions like arthritis.?

When choosing a topical, it is advisable to select one with high cannabinoid content due to the low permeability of the skin. However, like all products, liberal use is advised, especially with THC topicals. And yes, using a high-THC topical may show up in a drug test.?

CBD-THC RATIO PRODUCTS

Ratio products are a subset of the cannabis merchandise. They are another product alternative created for consumers looking to take a step from isolates but stay within its sphere.?

CBD-THC ratio products are only one type of this product category. There are numerous varieties. However, this product ratio type is most popular due to the popularity of its constituent cannabinoids.?

Consumers can typically identify a CBD-THC ratio product and tell what cannabinoid is in greater concentration simply through its label.?

A CBD-THC ratio product with 1:1 on its label indicates equal parts of the constituting compounds. A CBD-THC ratio product with 20:1 on its label signifies the consumer will get 20 times more CBD than THC.

Labels could also display 30:10, 10:20, etc, and may go steps further to having 1:1:1. The trick to understanding the math is tracing the naming order (CBD-THC or THC-CBD, or even CBD-THC-CBG) to the ratio order.?

Ratio products are generally safe and well recommended to consumers seeking to explore beyond the isolates for a more joint experience. So, if you are one in this realm, it could be worth the try.?