The Main Difference Between THC and CBD: A Complete Guide
Did you know that 33% of Americans have used CBD products at some point in their lives? Both CBD and THC products are getting more and more popular since more states are legalizing them. But if you’ve never tried either of these cannabinoids and are interested in what they have to offer, you may be wondering if there is a difference between THC and CBD.
There are a few important differences between them and by knowing more about them and how they work, you can make the best decision for yourself. Keep reading and learn more about these two unique cannabinoids below.
What Is CBD
CBD is also known as cannabidiol and it is a cannabinoid that comes from the marijuana or cannabis plant. CBD shares much in common with its sister cannabinoid, THC, but it does not produce a psychoactive high as THC does. You might be wondering what the point of using CBD would be if it doesn’t produce a high.
For one, you can still reap many of the same health benefits without experiencing a high which can be beneficial for those who have busy schedules and need to be alert. You can even take some forms of CBD even if you have a drug test coming up because pure CBD products won’t have any trace amounts of THC in them. While it does not produce a high, you may notice that when you take CBD, you feel more at ease, especially after a hard day at work.
Not only can CBD help you unwind but it is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants are very important for the body because they can fight against the detrimental effects of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms due to the fact that they have lost an electron.
Because they are so unstable, free radicals will want to interact with your body on a cellular level in an attempt to stabilize themselves. However, this interaction will cause lipid peroxidation which is a harmful mechanism in which cells in your body become oxidized. This is dangerous because studies have shown that free radicals are the primary culprits for accelerated aging, the development of certain cancers, and inflammation in the body.
When you use antioxidants like CBD, you can ensure that the damage caused by free radicals stays at a minimum. So, what are the types of CBD you can take and how do you use them?
Types of CBD and How to Use Them
When it comes to the types of CBD and CBD products, you will find that there is a large variety to choose from. The main forms of CBD are full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. CBD isolate is unique because it only contains CBD without any other compounds from the cannabis plant.
So, if you want to try CBD alone without any plant fats or other cannabinoids getting in the way, CBD isolate may be for you. Because it goes through such a long filtration process, CBD isolate usually comes in a crystalline form. This form is very versatile and you can mix it into lotions or oils to create a product of your very own.
The great thing about CBD isolate is that you can take it even if you have an upcoming drug test. But if you don’t think that CBD isolate is for you, you might want to try broad-spectrum CBD instead. This kind of CBD is usually an oil, but it can come in other forms as well such as vape juices or gummy candies.
Broad-spectrum CBD does contain some plant compounds such as fats and oils from the cannabis plant. It also contains some other cannabinoids but it usually doesn’t contain any THC. However, some brands of broad-spectrum CBD do contain trace amounts of THC.
For that reason, if you are concerned about consuming any THC, you should check the ingredients for broad-spectrum CBD products. Full-spectrum CBD is similar but it can have up to 0.3% of THC. For CBD oils, you can add them to your food or take them sublingually for faster results.
You can also use oils and lotions to soothe your skin. Then, of course, there are plenty of CBD vape options available too.
What Is THC?
Whether you’re looking for recreational or medical cannabis products, you won’t have any trouble finding the right kind of cannabis for you. THC is a cannabinoid that can produce a psychoactive high in the mind and body. This is because of how this cannabinoid is able to affect certain receptors in the brain.
Specifically, THC products are able to influence the endocannabinoid system in the brain. This system includes the two receptors CB1 and CB2. Normally, without the influence of cannabis, these receptors are responsible for certain regulatory functions in the body.
For example, they are important for regulating appetite, mood, sleep, pain, memory, and other functions. By binding to these two receptors, THC is able to influence these functions in particular ways. For instance, THC may be able to reduce inflammation in the body by binding to the cannabinoid receptor responsible for the immune system and inflammation.
As with CBD, THC has antioxidant properties and, in general, can be a good supplement for soothing inflammation. Also, since it can affect appetite, it may be good for those who have trouble eating such as cancer patients. In the cannabis plant, THC is concentrated in the buds, also called flower.
The precursor to THC found in raw cannabis plants is THC A. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and could be useful in managing conditions associated with inflammation. Additionally, THC A may help stimulate appetite, making it potentially beneficial for individuals with appetite loss or certain medical conditions. You can read more to learn what THC A is and about its potential benefits We also suggest working with prepay bases, which implies sharing a Paypal invoice with this email address. Once the payment has been made, I will inform you, so you can proceed with the insertion of the link.
When you examine a cannabis bud, you will notice it seems to be covered in very small, fuzzy hairs. These hairs are known as trichomes and they are responsible for containing some of the highest amounts of THC in the entire plant. Without trichomes, it would be much more difficult to obtain a strong high when consuming THC.
THC products are made from cannabis buds. It is also possible to use the cannabis buds directly by smoking or adding them with other ingredients to create different products. But what are the different products and how can you use them?
Different THC Products and How to Use Them
The most recognizable THC product is the cannabis flower or buds. These buds often look like chunks of leaves pressed together. Due to the trichomes, the buds often have a frosted, fuzzy appearance.
Depending on the strain you get, the cannabis buds may have different colors such as orange, yellow, blue, purple, and so on. The buds tend to have a strong, musty odor, but different strains may have different aromas that are sweeter or more floral. You can smoke cannabis buds by crumbling them up and putting them into a pipe or inside a piece of rolling paper.
You can also grind them very finely and add them to foods such as cookies or cakes. If you don’t like the idea of munching on leafy material or smoking, there are also THC oils you can use. People tend to put THC oils under their tongues.
The membranes underneath the tongue are very thin and connected to a large supply of blood. When you put THC oil under your tongue and keep it there for a minute or so, your body will be able to pick up the cannabinoid relatively fast. So, you will be able to feel the effects in about 20 minutes or so.
This is in contrast to smoking which has instant effects. If you want to take it slow, THC edibles may be the best option for you. THC edibles can come in all shapes and sizes. More often than not, they come in the form of candy such as gummies or chocolate, though they may also be cookies or brownies. Taffys are another type of edible. They can contain different levels of THC, for example, delta 8 or delta 9 hemp-compliant taffy. Taffy is an American candy made by stretching or pulling a sticky mass. It is typically pastel in color and fruit-flavored, but there are other flavors as well including molasses and “classic” taffy (unflavored).
When you eat THC, it can take an hour or so before you start to feel the effects. However, once the effects kick in, they can last several hours.
The Difference between THC and CBD
The main difference between THC and CBD is that THC produces a high while CBD does not. However, another difference is where these cannabinoids come from. While they both come from the cannabis plant, most CBD manufacturers prefer to harvest their CBD from hemp plants.
Why, you might ask? Because cannabis plants only produce very small amounts of CBD. In contrast, hemp plants produce large amounts of CBD and small amounts of THC.
This makes it much easier to harvest the CBD without the THC.
All about THC and CBD
When it comes to the difference between THC and CBD, there are a few things that make them different, but overall, they share many similarities. They both can soothe inflammation in the body due to their antioxidant properties. They both also come in many forms such as oils, lotions, and vape juices.
To learn more, check out the health section on our website.
