CBD Vs THC – What Are The Differences?

CBD and THC are the two most abundant of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. Both THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system but elicit different natural effects. CBD and THC are also regulated very differently.
Many consumers have the same question: what are the differences between CBD and THC. Here we will look at differences between CBD and THC, as well as how they are alike.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most prominent cannabinoids found in cannabis, the plant genus that includes both hemp and marijuana. While there are over 100 different cannabinoids so far identified in cannabis by scientists, CBD and THC are by far the most extensively studied and best understood.
THC and CBD both interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system, a vital signaling system responsible for regulating a wide array of functions, some of which include:
Pain
Appetite
Mood
Memory
Immune response
Sleep
Cycles of cellular life and death
The chemical makeup of THC and CBD are similar to the body’s own endocannabinoids, which allows them to interact with the endocannabinoid system’s cannabinoid receptors to alter the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Despite their similarities, THC and CBD have distinct differences that influence how they interact with the endocannabinoid system and subsequently the natural effects they elicit.
Here we compare the two cannabinoids – THC v CBD.
Psychoactive Differences Between CBD vs THC
One of the key differences between CBD and THC is whether the cannabis product will cause a euphoric effect, or “high,” when consumed.
THC is the cannabinoid people think of when they think of marijuana or weed. It is a direct agonist of the endocannabinoid system’s cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1), found primarily in the brain and the central nervous system. The intoxicating effect that most associate with recreational or medical marijuana use is exclusively brought about by activating CB1 receptors with THC.
CBD doesn’t bind with CB1 receptors and is actually considered an antagonist of CB1 agonists. This not only means that CBD can never cause a high, no matter how much is consumed, but that it also acts to suppress the CB1-activating qualities of compounds like THC.
THC Dominates Marijuana, CBD Dominates Hemp
THC and CBD are both found throughout the seeds, stalks, and flowers of both hemp and marijuana. The two exist in cannabis plants in a wide range of proportions. THC is most plentiful in marijuana, also called weed or pot. CBD is present in higher quantities in hemp, the source of the CBD in CBD oil products. 
In marijuana, THC dominates the plant’s chemical makeup. Marijuana is generally cultivated specifically to maximize its THC potency. Over many decades, marijuana has been manipulated and cloned with particular emphasis on increasing its THC concentration and producing more powerful intoxicating effects. While THC content can be as low as 3 percent in marijuana, on average, marijuana strains today contain approximately 12 percent THC with some as high as 30 percent THC or more. 
Hemp’s chemical makeup, on the other hand, is dominated by CBD. By definition, hemp’s THC content is no more than 0.3 percent, nearly 10 times less than the least potent strain of marijuana. Instead, hemp naturally has more CBD vs THC, making it an ideal source of CBD from cannabis.
Want to learn about high THC and high CBD cannabis strains?
The way they make you feel isn’t the only difference between CBD vs THC. They also have differences at the molecular level.
Atomic Differences Between CBD and THC
CBD and THC are considered structural isomers, which means they share the same chemical composition but their atomic arrangements differ. The two compounds share a molecular formula of C21H30O2 and molecular weights of 314.4 g/mol.
The atomic arrangements of the two cannabinoids differ slightly. Both CBD and THC are considered cyclic compounds, which means one or more series of atoms in the compounds are connected to form a ring. CBD comes with an open ring with a hydroxyl and alkene group, while THC supports a closed ring with an ester group.

It’s these slight differences between THC and CBD in how their atoms are arranged that have the dramatic effect on how the two cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system’s receptors.
Interaction of THC and CBD with Cannabinoid Receptors
CBD and THC both interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system and its specialized cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. It is through these interactions that these two cannabinoids augment the endocannabinoid system and encourage balance. However, the ways in which THC and CBD interact with these cannabinoid receptors vary. 
THC directly binds with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, while having a higher affinity for CB1 receptors.
CBD has little affinity for the two cannabinoid receptors. Instead, it acts as an indirect antagonist of cannabinoid agonists. This means that CBD acts to suppress the CB1 and CB2 activating qualities of a cannabinoid like THC. CBD has also been found to interact with other non-cannabinoid receptors, including 5-HT1A receptors and the vanilloid receptor TRPV-1.
We’ve previously detailed the research findings on the effects of these cannabinoids interacting with the endocannabinoid system. You can learn more about the findings about CBD or THC.
Differences Between the Legal Status of CBD vs THC
The legality of cannabinoid products in the United States is dependent on their THC concentration and source, marijuana or hemp. How do THC and CBD differ in legality?
Marijuana and THC are both specifically listed in the U.S. Controlled Substances Act and, therefore, prohibited under federal law. Thirty-three U.S. states and Washington D.C. have passed their own cannabis policies permitting the use of medical marijuana with high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, provided it’s recommended by a licensed physician. Ten of those states and Washington D.C. have gone a step further and legalized the recreational use of marijuana and THC.
CBD is legally available in the United States, but it must be derived from high-CBD, low-THC hemp. CBD itself is not listed under the Controlled Substances Act, so it’s legal in all 50 states provided it’s not extracted from marijuana.
If derived from marijuana, CBD cannabis is illegal unless obtained through a state-regulated medical marijuana program or in a state that permits recreational marijuana use. CBD products derived from hemp are considered dietary supplements in the U.S. and legal to buy and sell.
Differences Between CBD vs THC – Side Effects and Safety 
Because CBD and THC interact with the body in different ways, the effects they provide are also different.
The psychoactive properties of THC can cause temporary side effects:
Memory impairments
Lowered reaction time
Increased heart rate
Coordination problems
Dry mouth
Red eyes
While there is a risk of some negative side effects from THC, according to the National Cancer Institute, it is not possible to have a fatal overdose. Some studies have found evidence that cannabis strains high in THC can cause long-term negative psychiatric effects when consumed by adolescents, including increasing the risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. We answer how long THC stays in your system and other questions about THC and its effects on our Cannabis 101 page. 
Research indicates even large doses of CBD are well tolerated and safe. There have been some reports of dry mouth, light-headedness, and drowsiness. A recent research review examining the safety and side effects of CBD concluded that CBD appeared to be safe in humans and animals. Even chronic use of CBD by humans showed to cause no adverse neurological, psychiatric, or clinical effects.  
CBD vs THC for Pain
Over the past decade there has been growing interest in the idea of using cannabis products to treat pain related to digestive issues, arthritis, chronic pain, and more. You may have seen some initial research and very positive Internet articles making claims about using THC and CBD for sleep or anxiety. There is even research looking at medical marijuana for cancer patients.
Despite these, the FDA has not approved any medication with cannabis to treat any of these health issues. We do not make or support any medical claims relating to the use of cannabis products to treat sleep problems, anxiety issues, or any other indication not approved by the FDA.
Learn More about CBD vs THC
You can learn more about CBD and THC, including what studies have so far discovered about their effects, by visiting our research and education page.
The post CBD Vs THC – What Are The Differences? appeared first on Medical Marijuana, Inc..


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