You don’t have to be a genius to have noticed that the medical marijuana industry, in particular, CBD and hemp, has hit the mainstream media and the green rush surrounding this powerful, natural supplement is picking up speed with no signs of coming to a halt. No matter where you turn these days, you will hear about either marijuana or a new CBD product that can help you boost your immune system, offer pain relief, and inflammation or simply allow you to free yourself from the chains of anxiety and panic disorder.
Even the authorities are on board with the use of CBD and the FDA has just approved a CBD-based medicine in order to help treat a rare form of seizure disorders. And it doesn’t stop there. On witnessing the benefits of CBD oil products, more states in the US are now voting in favor of the legislation of marijuana – whether it is for recreational or medicinal use.
However, amid all the hype surrounding CBD products and the fact that it comes from the same plant as cannabis, there is still a degree of misinformation flying around the Internet and emerging via word of mouth, which is causing many new CBD users to experience a degree of frustration and confusion with regards to jumping on the CBD bandwagon and one of the primary misunderstandings is that CBD, or cannabidiol oil, will get you high.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but it won’t. Not even in the slightest. It would be like trying to get drunk on an alcoholic-free beer.
The good news is, CBD can provide you with so many other positive health benefits and once you understand the difference between the two primary compounds of a cannabis plant – CBD and THC – you will have all the information you need to confidently embark on your own journey with CBD products.
THC vs CBD: The Scientific Stuff
THC and CBD are the two major cannabinoids that are naturally found in a cannabis plant. When these two powerful components are given the opportunity to engage with your body’s built-in cannabinoid receptors, this is where the magic happens and your natural endocannabinoid system will respond by healing the parts of your body that require a boost.
Both CBD and THC are required for maximum benefits to be experienced, but there is one major difference between them:
THC will provoke a psychoactive effect and cause you to feel high, whereas CBD will not. And even though many high-quality CBD products like these will include a small percentage of THC, all mind-altering effects are canceled out by the CBD found present. This is why all reputable commercial CBD products will either contain zero or trace quantities of THC.
What exactly is THC?
Simply put, THC is the primary psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. And because it is the same compound that gives you a dreamy “high” sensation, it is most commonly used for recreational purposes.
That said, THC isn’t all about fun and games; there are some positive health benefits too and recent research indicates that THC helps with:
- Eases side effects of chemo
- Reduces nausea and vomiting
- Aids sleep and relaxation
- Reduces Inflammation
- Reduces cancerous tumors
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol to call it by its true name, is one of the crucial cannabinoids that dwells within a cannabis plant. You will find it both medical marijuana and agricultural hemp and while other plants in existence also contain cannabinoids, CBD is found solely in a cannabis plant. Due to the fact you will not experience any psychoactive effects from taking CBD, you can use it as a supplement to eliminate discomfort effectively, while still maintaining a normal daily routine.
What are the effects? CBD vs. THC
As we already know, THC is the culprit for getting you high. So, even though it has been proven to have medicinal benefits, it’s unlikely you will be able to rely on using it as a tool for relief when you actually need to function in daily life. It induces positive, euphoric feelings and will help you to chill out after a hard day’s work, but it can also make you anxious and paranoid while provoking feelings of dependency.
On the flip side, CBD doesn’t provoke any emotional effects aside from a more positive and calmer state of mind and it also counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC.
Which is better for health benefits?
Because CBD possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antipsychotic properties, it is used as a complementary remedy to help reduce a myriad of illnesses such as:
- Stress and anxiety
- Epilepsy
- Arthritis
- Pain
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Inflammation
- Depression
And while there is still a ton of research to be performed on exactly how it can treat specific diseases and what the ideal catalysts are, CBD is presently considered to be a safer and more effective product for everyday use.
