In one of our previous blog entries, we briefly discussed the differences between THC and CBD as they relate to drug tests. In today’s entry, we want to dive a little deeper into the differences between these two cannabinoids.
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CANNABINOIDS
In order to discuss the differences between CBD and THC, we first need to understand what they are and what they have in common. Both CBD and THC are cannabinoids — chemical compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system utilizes cannabinoid receptors — a type of receptor located in the membranes of cells — to affect a number of different processes inside the body, including mood, memory, the sensation of pain, and even appetite. Cannabinoids made inside the body are called endocannabinoids, while cannabinoids found in plants are called phytocannabinoids.
The body makes its own cannabinoids in order to properly perform a number of different functions, but cannabinoids from other sources, namely cannabis plants, can also have an impact on the endocannabinoid system. Scientists have identified more than 113 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, but two of the most impactful are CBD and THC.
THC
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the phytocannabinoid that is most commonly associated with cannabis. THC produces a euphoric high as it binds to cannabinoid receptors in the body. It is the effects of THC that led to cannabis being criminalized in many countries across the planet.
While there have been a number of studies on the effects of THC, its enduring classification as a federal controlled substance in the United States, and its restricted status in other countries has severely limited the number of studies as well as the kinds of studies that can be performed. Over time, some research has shown that THC may be effective at treating some pain symptoms and some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) is another phytocannabinoid found in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, CBD does not seem to produce euphoric effects. Instead, it may limit or reduce the effects of THC, while offering possible relief for a number of conditions, including seizures, anxiety, pain, and a number of mental issues, though its mechanism of action has not been fully determined.
CBD is not a scheduled substance in the United States, which means that people in many states can use it as they see fit. Farmers can grow varieties of the plant as long as the THC content does not exceed 0.3%. Hemp has a long history of cultivation across the globe and in the United States. The plant is known as an affordable source of fiber that can be used in a number of products, including paper and plastics, while the core of the plant, a wood-like substance, has been used in everything from animal bedding to the material known as hempcrete — a mix of hemp and lime used as insulation and as a building material.
As more research on CBD is completed, we will begin to know more about this plant. Until then, we have plenty of anecdotal evidence that CBD can have positive effects for people with a number of problems both small and severe. Chances are good that you know someone who has used CBD to help them overcome aches and pains or nausea that accompanies a number of different ailments.
If you are interested in learning more about CBD, or you would like to try high-quality hemp drops, CBD vape, or edibles with CBD, check out our website. All of our CBD comes from our organic family farm in Kentucky and is processed in a facility that uses the cleanest possible extraction methods. We believe in giving you the highest-quality CBD because you should only have the very best.