Cannabis is a plant that has been around for centuries and has been in use for recreational and medicinal purposes. There are two main compounds found in Cannabis: CBD and THC. In the U.S. alone, the sale of CBD products generated at least $4.6 in revenue by the end of 2020.

Such huge turnovers, coupled with the need to understand what these products are, their benefits, and the potential health risks they pose, CBD and THC have become the target of a lot of research.

So, if you too want to understand the difference between CBD and THC, here’s an in-depth article to help you out.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis plants. This cannabinoid is extracted from Cannabis flowers and leaves and is responsible for giving Cannabis products their calming effect.

CBD is also the chemical associated with the medical benefits of Cannabis plants. Since its discovery over a century ago, many people believe that this hemp-derived substance has therapeutic and even nourishing properties. This belief has spread widely in the U.S, with CBD dietary supplements and CBD vitamins gaining high demand in the market.

What is THC?

THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s responsible for the “high” that people feel when they smoke weed or eat cannabis-infused food.

THC works by binding to cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and disrupting normal communication between cells. This can create a variety of effects, including alterations in mood, perception, and cognitive function.

Does CBD Come From the Same Cannabis Plant Species as THC?

CBD and THC come from the same Cannabis species. While all pure Cannabis breeds contain both CBD and THC, their concentration varies.

The Cannabis Sativa plant has the highest THC concentration among all three strains. Cannabis Indica, on the other hand, has the highest amount of CBD, while Cannabis Ruderalis has very little of either of the two cannabinoids.

CBD Vs. THC: The Key Differences

CBD and THC share the same chemical formula. Both cannabinoids have a structure of twenty-one carbon, thirty hydrogen, and two oxygen atoms. These Cannabis extracts even have an almost identical mass.

However, one of the key differences THC has from CBD is its structure and how the body interprets its chemical compounds.

Let’s look at the structural composition of both CBD and THC.

CBD Chemical Structure

CBD forms what is known as a hydroxyl group. This fancy organic chemistry term refers to substances with one hydrogen atom bonded to just one oxygen atom. Because of this molecular structure, the body treats CBD differently from how it treats THC.

THC Chemical Structure

THC’s chemical structure is called a cyclic ring. It means that the atoms in THC’s structure bond and then link together to form a sort of loop called a cyclic ring. This structure differentiates THC and CBD and makes them produce different reactions when consumed or smoked.

Does THC React in the Body the Same Way CBD Does?

Because of the difference in their structures, CBD and THC affect the body differently. The human body detects and responds to cannabinoids through the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

This is a complex network of cells, receptors, and enzymes found throughout your central nervous system. CBD and THC interact with this system differently. Here’s a breakdown of the different outcomes of CBD and THC in the human body.

How THC Reacts in the Human Body

When you use THC products, the chemical travels to your ECS. Here, THC meets two receptors called CB1 and CB2. These cannabinoid receptors are responsible for detecting and transmitting stimuli caused by cannabinoids.

In THC’s case, the cannabinoid instantly bonds with these receptors, sending signals to your ESC to break down its enzymes and send them to your brain’s reward system. Once these enzymes get to your brain, you begin to produce a surge of dopamine that increases your pleasure and gives you increased energy and even a lively mood. This is what results in the psychoactive effects of THC.

How CBD reacts in the Human Body

When CBD gets into the ESC, it doesn’t combine with any of the two cannabinoid receptors in the system. Instead, it affects the activities of these neurotransmitters and prevents the body from breaking down endocannabinoid enzymes. This stops it from giving your body the high that comes from consuming or smoking Cannabis.

Because of its mild effects on the ESC and central nervous system, CBD gives the human body more calming effects and a general feeling of wellness.

Studies on CBD show that by affecting the activity of cannabinoid receptors, the chemical compounds derived from CBD, like CBD oil, can help reduce inflammation.

Information on CBD from the National Cancer Institute also indicates that CBD can help reduce severe forms of pain among cancer patients.

CBD Vs. THC: The Negative Effects

Although people believe CBD only has medical benefits, both THC and CBD can have adverse side effects depending on the frequency and quantity of use.

Age is also a significant determinant of the kind of adverse effects that come from these cannabis extracts.

Here are some of the negative impacts of THC and CBD on the human body.

The Negative Effects of CBD

Clinical neuroscience indicates that CBD has severe side effects, primarily when used in large and frequent quantities or when combined with other drugs and substances.

Some of the most known harmful effects of CBD use include:

• Damage to the liver when used over long periods.
• Reduced brain activity when used with alcohol, antidepressants, or anxiety medication.
• Gastrointestinal complications.
• Increased agitation and irritability when used in high quantities.

The Negative Effects of THC

The adverse effects of THC on the human body outweigh any of the benefits that this substance has.

Sixteen studies referenced by the NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health) indicate that synthetic THC used in certain brands of medical marijuana can control pain and increase appetite.

Still, these medical benefits cannot overwrite the numerous adverse outcomes of THC, which include:

• Significant psychoactive effects like hallucinations come from the compound’s psychoactive properties.
• Severe forms of addiction, especially in cases of adolescent cannabis exposure.
• Drug abuse, especially with recreational marijuana.
• Increased heart rate.
• Suppressed immunity systems.

CBD Vs. THC Legal Standing

As the use of cannabis products becomes more prevalent, the government is continually trying to update the laws within the controlled substances act to help accommodate new findings, especially for broad-spectrum CBD-derived substances.

Is CBD Legal?

After passing the Agriculture Improvement Act in 2018, federal law legalized industrial hemp farming. This act defines industrial hemp as a Cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC.

The law considers CBD-based products legal substances as long as they don’t exceed the THC limit. However, a state’s laws can raise the prohibited limit required for THC farming use or distribution.

Is THC Legal?

Federal law stipulates that any Cannabis related products with more than 0.3% of THC are illegal. If a Cannabis-based substance has over the set amount of THC, it becomes a Schedule 1 drug, and all drugs in this category are federally controlled substances.

Can You Detect THC and CBD in Drug Tests?

Most standard drug tests shouldn’t detect CBD or a chemical related to CBD like CBD isolate.

However, if you take a CBD drug consisting of a trace of THC, your drug test will come out positive. This is because Cannabis drug tests are there to detect the levels of THC in the body. So, if you have a drug test coming up, you need to avoid any synthetic substance or chemicals related to THC.

Most tests for body THC levels come as urine tests. Blood and saliva tests are also available but rarely used because they don’t stay in these fluids for a long time unless you are a chronic THC user.

In Which Forms Can I Take CBD or THC?

There are many ways you can consume CBD or THC. Often, CBD is taken in the form of oral solutions and sprays, cookies, gummies, tincture, for topical application or in capsule form for CBD vitamins.

You can also vape CBD in the form of cbd oil or have it as a beverage. THC is often smoked. But, it can also be ingested through gummies, cookies, or sweets.

Are All Hemp Derived CBD Products Approved?

Hemp derived CBD is legal, but that doesn’t mean it is FDA approved. The Cannabis market has many substances whose active ingredients are derived from CDB that don’t have the approval of the FDA.

Here are some of the prescription and non-prescription CBD-related products on the market.

Prescription-Based CBD Products

According to the Food and Drug Administration(FDA), Epidolex is the only FDA approved prescription-based CBD product on the U.S. market. Epidolex is a medication that contains CBD in the form of an oral solution.

This pharmaceutically purified form of medical Cannabis is prescribed to patients suffering from seizures associated with Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), or multiple sclerosis conditions like Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

Epidolex is safe for anyone above two years old, as long as they have been medically tested and found to suffer from the conditions mentioned above.

Nonprescription CBD Products

There are several non-prescription products derived from CBD. These range from edibles, CBD gummies, topical CBD oils, tinctures, and even CBD vape juices.

These products aren’t substitutes for proper medical treatment. Instead, they are to be used as integrative health alternatives to help you manage chronic pain, treat nausea and even manage the after-effects of cancer treatment.

You can also get CBD products for your pets. Anything from joint health chews to dog treats is available in the market. Pet products containing CBD as the main cannabis extract are a welcome relief, especially for pets suffering from debilitating health conditions. These products are also free of psychoactive properties, so you don’t need to worry about your pet going wild.

Which Cannabinoid Between CBD and THC Best For You?

CBD and THC are natural compounds from the same plant, but the two are distinctly different. CBD is known for its calm and medicinal benefits, while THC is more famous for its psychoactive effects.

So, if you’re wondering which CBD or THC products you should use, start by determining your purpose for using the products, and it will be easier to find the brands that meet your needs.