Cannabis is made up of many different cannabinoids, each having its own effects and traits. There are two cannabinoids within cannabis that we all might be familiar with, THC and CBD.
But even though they are both cannabinoids, they are actually very different from each other. In addition, there are also some similarities between the two. Do you know the values of THC or the values of CBD? This post will dive into the details of each, and help you decide which one you should be consuming.
Comparing THC & CBD
First, let’s talk about how the two cannabinoids are similar. They are both chemical compounds, and actually have the exact same chemical makeup (21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms). But even though the chemical makeups are exactly the same, some atoms in each cannabinoid are different. This microscopic difference is what makes THC and CBD unique.
THC and CBD each hold various health benefits. For example, both can help with relieving pain. Both can also work to relax your body. When these two cannabinoids are combined, the feeling of relaxation and relief from pain can really be felt. In fact, cannabinoids are used in marijuana strains typically to complement each other.
While they are used to complement each other, they are also used to contradict each other. Studies have shown that CBD actually reduces the psychoactive effects caused by THC. For this reason, marijuana strains with both of these cannabinoids typically contain more THC. If it is the other way around, then that strain is not meant to get you high.
Contrasting THC & CBD
So what is the difference between these two cannabinoids? Well, there are many differences, but the main difference is the fact that THC causes psychoactive effects, while CBD does not. CBD also holds far more medical properties compared to THC, however, THC still does have its medical uses.
THC is typically consumed by smoking it, most others prefer to eat it. CBD, on the other hand, is mainly consumed through oils, pills, gummies, or extracts. The fact is that THC can be consumed anyway that CBD can, and vice versa. However, statistics show that the most common way of using THC is by smoking, and the most common way of using CBD is by dropping oil.
Another key point in the difference between these two cannabinoids is the fact that CBD does not give off any psychoactive effects (a.k.a. get you high), while THC does. This means that if you were to only use CBD, you would not get high. Now, mix some THC in there and you might. However, CBD can reduce these psychoactive effects given off by THC. So, in order to get a good high, the level of THC must surpass the level of CBD in whatever you are smoking.
What about the medical values? Well, these two cannabinoids each hold their own values when it comes to medical use. Instead of telling you what THC has that CBD doesn’t have and vice versa, here are two lists: one with the medical values of THC, and the other with those values of CBD.
THC can help with the following:
- spasticity
- cramp-related pain
- side effects of chemotherapy
- multiple sclerosis
- HIV/AIDS
- spinal injuries
- nausea and/or vomiting
- chronic pain
- inflammation
- digestive issues
Now, here is what CBD can help with:
- neuropathic pain
- cancer-related pain
- epilepsy
- Parkinson’s Disease
- acne
- dyskinesia
- psoriasis
- broken bone pain
- Mad Cow Disease
- depression
- bacterial infections
- Diabetes
- rheumatoid arthritis
- anxiety
- ADD/ADHD
- schizophrenia
- withdrawals from substance abuse
- heart disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
As you can see, CBD holds many more health benefits, but THC still has its own medical values.
Legality is another major difference between these two cannabinoids. In most places, CBD is legal and accepted, and many CBD products can be purchased either in stores or online.
Want to buy some CBD online? Check out MadeByHemp. They have a variety of CBD-related products.
THC, on the other hand, is illegal in most places that CBD is legal. This is because THC is a mind-altering substance, and CBD is primarily used for its health benefits. This has been rapidly changing in the last few years, however. Marijuana legalization has been occurring throughout the United States, and even other parts of the world including Canada and South Korea.
Which Should You Use?
So, the final question is, should you use both of these cannabinoids, or only one? The answer is that it depends on your location and circumstances. If you live in an area where CBD is legal, but THC is not, then the obvious answer would be to only use CBD.
If you are looking to use cannabis for recreational use only, then stick to THC. Also, make sure the level of THC surpasses the level of CBD in whatever you are using to get high. On the other hand, if you do not want to get high but want to get that feeling of relaxation, try CBD only.
If you are looking primarily for medical properties, then try using more CBD. Most CBD oils are designed to help treat a number of health conditions and some can even be prescribed from health specialists.
Some experts suggest that a combination of both cannabinoids is the best way to approach pain, since they are both known to help treat it. Try out a mix, and see what works best for you. If you have any questions or concerns, leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
