As cannabis and the use of legal marijuana becomes more and more common, one can also notice a growing demand for marijuana-derived products and natural medicine using CBD and THC.
Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two natural compounds found in cannabis plants. When buying cannabis products, it is essential to know the difference between these two cannabinoids and the benefits they provide. It is also necessary to know the particularities of the different strains in order to understand how their effects can vary.
What are cannabinoids?
Your body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is made up of a multitude of receptors that interact directly with cannabinoids to ensure vital functions. These receptors are called CB1 and CB2 receptors and are particularly present in certain parts of the brain necessary for physiological processes such as motor coordination, memory, emotional control and other cognitive functions. The interaction of cannabinoids such as CBD and THC with the CB1 and CB2 receptors leads to beneficial effects such as:
pain relief
Appetite stimulation
The relief of anxiety
Improved general mood
Many other benefits
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, found in both medical and agricultural cannabis, is considered the major cannabinoid in cannabis plants. In nature, cannabinoids can be found in different types of plants, however, CBD is only present in cannabis.
Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects and most users consume it for medical reasons. When someone consumes CBD it usually helps them feel relief from any discomfort or annoyance. Taking CBD as a medicine usually has little or no effect on cognitive abilities.
The health benefits of CBD
Whether you are looking at THC or CBD, the effects from a medical point of view are quite similar and both substances help relieve the same types of problems, however, unlike CBD, THC is a cannabinoid that causes euphoric effects. That is why, in the case of medical use, many often prefer to consume CBD. CBD can help treat a large number of pathologies such as:
Anxiety
Epileptic seizures
The Depression
Inflammation
Migraines
Pain
Psychosis or mental disorders
Nausea
Inflammatory bowel diseases
Withdrawal symptoms
Schizophrenia
And many others
In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex, the first CBD-based prescription drug, for the treatment of rare forms of epilepsy. Other CBD-containing medicines will undoubtedly be recognized in the coming years.
What is THC?
THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the high, the high that is commonly associated with cannabis. When THC enters your body, it binds to CB1 receptors in the brain and produces a euphoric high. This effect differs from CBD which binds very little (if at all) to CB1 receptors, prevents the binding of THC and attenuates the psychoactive effects of THC.
Still considered illegal in many countries, THC has both short-term and long-term cognitive side effects. Among these effects stand out among others: disorders of thought and reasoning, a reduction in impulse control, a reduction in the ability to organize and plan, a disturbance in decision-making. Regular consumption of THC can lead to serious brain damage as well as heart abnormalities.
People looking for the “high” tend to appreciate plants with high THC levels. This generally concerns people who use it recreationally and want to maximize the psychoactive side effects. To this end, they are looking for strains with the highest possible THC/CBD ratio.
The health benefits of THC
As explained before, the beneficial effects of THC are more or less similar to those of CBD. It is used in particular for:
Anxiety
The sleep
Psychotic disorders
Corrosion phenomena
Pain
Nausea
muscle spasticity
The renewed appetite
Glaucoma (degenerative disease of the optic nerve)
Insomnia
Many others
Which strains have a high level of CBD?
It can sometimes be difficult to find cannabis strains with high CBC and low (or even zero) THC. However, an easy way to get it is to choose Cannabis Light Feminized or Auto Cannabis Light Feminized. This strain was developed specifically for people looking for a high level of CBD (12 to 15%) and wishing to avoid the “stone” effect.
CBD Star Feminized and Auto CBD Star Feminized are another popular strain because they contain CBD equal to THC, around 12%. This alloy of cannabinoids makes this strain particularly versatile for a user wishing to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Make your choice !
Now that you know more about the differences between THC and CBD, you can make a more informed choice when buying your cannabis products. However, before taking action, be sure to know the laws in force where you live. In addition, if you also consume other products containing CBD or THC, be sure to inform yourself beforehand.
