Cannabis News
THC vs CBD
The active ingredients in cannabis are called cannabinoids. There are two cannabinoids that have been most studied: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
What is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol – a chemical compound that is derived from cannabis plants and which has a number of different health benefits. It isn’t psychoactive like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which means it doesn’t produce any “high” or mind-altering effects when you ingest it. Hemp oil is often used to extract CBD from plants. However, CBD can also be extracted using CO2 technology as well as using ethanol (the process used to create alcohol).
CBD is one of the most important cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. CBD and THC share a lot of chemical similarities. They are both substances that interact with cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body. The way they interact with these receptors results in different effects. THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain which results in psychoactive effects, while CBD does not have any mind-altering properties.
What is THC?
In contrast to CBD, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid that’s most famous for giving cannabis its psychoactive effects. It is a psychoactive cannabinoid which means that it alters your state of mind by triggering cannabinoid receptors in your brain. It has also been shown that THC can help manage medical conditions like PTSD and cancer.
THC is the main ingredient in cannabis. The human body is capable of producing natural cannabinoids, which attach to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC cannabinoids are also produced outside of the body, acting on these same receptors.
THC has many benefits for those who use it regularly. It can be used to relieve nausea and vomiting, increase appetite and decrease pain. It can help control epileptic seizures in some patients and reduce symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. New research suggests that THC may even have an effect on cancerous tumors, slowing their growth and spread to surrounding tissues.
THC has many benefits for those who use it regularly. It can be used to relieve nausea and vomiting, increase appetite and decrease pain. It can help control epileptic seizures in some patients and reduce symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. New research suggests that THC may even have an effect on cancerous tumors, slowing their growth and spread to surrounding tissues.
THC vs CBD: What are the differences?
CBD tends to have low THC levels, equating to <0.3%, as well as a non-psychoactive feeling when inhaled. CBD is able to reduce anxiety, decrease inflammation, and induce pain relief. THC on the other hand includes high levels of THC, anywhere between 5-35%, and it involves the psychoactive feeling. THC when controlled and regulated can help ease pain levels, suppress pain from nerve damage, and control muscle spasms. When comparing CBD vs THC, it is important to note that both provide their own medical benefits.
In addition to this, although CBD and THC are the 2 main cannabinoids found in medical cannabis, there are other cannabinoids which also form the medical cannabis plant. Many cannabinoids are still currently being studied, and regulated in controlled laboratories. It is difficult to know the exact figure of cannabinoids a plant produces; however most are present at low levels. Each cannabinoid has its own use. For example, CBN (Cannabinol) can relieve pain and be used as a sedative. CBD-V (Cannabidivarin) can improve ASD (Autism spectrum disorder) behavior and communication, as well as improving muscle functions.
What's better for Pain? CBD or THC
If you are currently suffering from chronic pain, you may be wondering what is more effective in helping manage pain levels, CBD or THC. Both cannabinoids can be found in a cannabis plant, but each have their own differences.
While cannabis is still a controlled substance, research into its medical benefits remains minimal. As a result, the effectiveness of CBD and THC in pain relief is still up for dispute. However, some people may prefer THC over CBD and vice versa. This is all dependant on ones experience with the chemical and how effective it proved to be for them.
Over the years, many studies have taken place, where CBD has been demonstrated to be effective for inflammatory pain, such as that triggered by arthritis or trauma. It is intended to help with pain relief by inhibiting inflammatory mediators and reducing inflammation.
CBD and THC when combined together, offer huge potential in providing pain relief, in their own respective ways. Different cannabinoid receptors in a humans body are activated by CBD and THC, which can stimulate or impede brain chemicals and create various effects. A study was conducted by Hindawi, researching the ways cannabis can be used for chronic pain. It was found out that small doses of cannabis could in fact improve pain, mood and sleep for some patients suffering from chronic pain.
