CBD and THC are known to be the two most abundant of the many cannabinoids that are present in cannabis. Both of them interact with the endocannabinoid system but cause different natural effects in our system. Both these elements are also regulated differently from each other. At the same time, the legal regulations surrounding CBD and THC are also known to be different from each other.
Cannabidiol CBD and Tetrahydrocannabinol THC are known to be the two most important cannabinoids that are found in cannabis. While there are more than 100 different cannabinoids that have been identified by the scientists, CBD and THC are considered to be the most extensively studied and best-understood cannabinoids.
CBD is a compound that is found in hemp plants. This ingredient is most commonly used in the production of CBD hemp oil products. This ingredient is a non-intoxicating one and when it is derived from hemp, it is considered to be of legal use. THC, on the other hand, is a compound found in marijuana plants and the same is held responsible for the euphoric high that people usually experience upon smoking or ingesting the same into their bodies.
Many people are usually curious about what are the differences between CBD and THC. Here listed are the major differences between these two ingredients:
Psychoactive Differences:
One of the most important differences between these compounds is whether the cannabis product shall cause a euphoric effect on the body when consumed.
THC is the cannabinoid that pops up in the mind of many people when they think about marijuana or weed. This is known to be a direct agonist of the cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1) of the endocannabinoid system that is mainly found in the brain and central nervous system of the body. The intoxicating effect of THC mostly associates with the recreational or medical marijuana use is bought by the way of the activation of CB1 receptors with THC.
On the contrary, CBD doesn’t bind with CB1 receptors and is usually considered to be an antagonist to the same. This means that CBD doesn’t lead to a high similar to THC. At the same time, CBD can suppress the CB1-activating qualities of the compounds such as THC.
Dominance:
Both THC and CBD are found throughout the stalks, seeds, and flowers of hemp as well as marijuana. Both of them exist in cannabis plants in a wide range of proportions. THC is found majorly in marijuana also known as weed or pot. CBD, on the other hand, is present in higher quantities in hemp. Hemp is known to be the source of CBD in all the CBD oil products. You can purchase organic CBD products from a reliable platform, including online pharmacies as well. Weedcenter is known to be a reliable source that trades in different products of CBD that are totally organic.
In marijuana, the plant’s chemical makeup is dominated by THC. On the other hand, the chemical makeup of hemp is dominated by CBD. Dominance happens to be another point of difference between the two.
Molecular Differences:
Both CBD and THC are known to be structural isomers. This means that both these compounds share the same chemical composition. However, their atomic arrangement is different from each other. Both CBD and THC are known to be cyclic compounds. In other words, one or more series of atoms in these compounds are connected to form a ring. CBD comes up with an open ring with a hydroxyl and alkene group while THC aids a closed ring with an ester group.
The slight differences in terms of the arrangement of atoms in both these compounds have a dramatic effect on two these cannabinoids interact with the receptors of endocannabinoid receptors.
Legal Status Differences:
The legality of the products obtained out of cannabinoid in the United States of America is dependent upon their concentration of THC in the first place, and their source on the other. Both marijuana and TH C are listed in the US Controlled Substances Act, and thus, prohibited under federal law. Over 33 states in the US and Washington DC have passed their policies relating to cannabis permitting the use of medical marijuana with high levels of THC, provided this must be recommended for use by a licensed physician. 11 of these states and Washington DC have taken a step further to legalize the recreational use of THC and marijuana.
The availability of CBD in the United States has been termed legal; however, it must be derived from high-CBD, low-THC hemp. CBD itself is not listed under the Controlled Substances Act, and therefore, is has been considered as legal at the federal level. The only exception is that it must not be extracted from marijuana.
If the CBD is derived from marijuana, it is illegal unless the same has been obtained via a state-regulated medical marijuana program or in a state permitting recreational marijuana use. CBD products derived from hemp are legal to trade in the United States.
Differences In Terms Of Side-Effects:
As CBD and THC interact with the body in different ways, the way both these compounds can make you feel after their consumption is totally different. CBD happens to be a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Thus, it does not elicit any euphoric effect or alter perception in the body.
The influence of the CBD on the endocannabinoid system and other receptor systems within the body affects different people differently. Some people might report feeling a sense of serenity after the consumption of CBD while others might feel more awake and energized after they have smoked or ingested CBD in their body. When CBD is manufactured using clean methods, the compound is well-tolerated and doesn’t elicit any side-effects or intoxicating effects.
On the other hand, THC causes intoxicating effects or a euphoric feeling among its smoke or ingestion. It is important to mention that it also brings along some side-effects, however, no reported cases of a fatal overdose have been recorded. It could lead to many physical and psychological side-effects, varying from person to person.
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