More and more people are taking an interest in CBD products, but there’s still a lot of confusion over specific terms and compounds. This guide will take a look at THC vs CBD to understand what each term means and the effects each compound has on the human body.
What is THC?
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s a natural compound found in the cannabis sativa plant, and it’s also the main compound responsible for making people feel ‘high’. THC has psychoactive properties and is a big part of recreational cannabis drug use.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. Like THC, CBD is a natural compound found in cannabis sativa plants. It can be found in both cannabis and hemp plants, and unlike THC, it has no psychoactive properties. This means it won’t make anyone feel high, but it can still have various effects on the human body via the endocannabinoid system
Difference Between CBD and THC
When it comes to THC vs CBD oil, the clearest and obvious difference is that THC is psychoactive, while CBD is not. Both of these compounds can have beneficial effects on the body, but THC is able to get people high, while CBD has no such risk.
Because of this, the legality of CBD and THC is quite different. THC is usually more strictly controlled in many states and countries around the world due to its potential to be used recreationally. Each compound also has different effects on the body and can be used for different purposes.
Psychoactive Components
CBD and THC may come from the same plants and have similar structures, scientifically speaking, but they have very different psychoactive properties. When comparing CBD vs THC high, we can see that CBD doesn’t produce any kind of high or euphoric feelings.
CBD can still be used to treat mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, but it won’t produce the same sensation as THC. THC, meanwhile, has strong psychoactive properties, resulting in the aforementioned high sensation.
CBD vs THC Benefits
When comparing CBD oil vs THC oil, we can see that both of these compounds offer a range of medical benefits, and both are being prescribed by doctors around the world to treat different conditions.
CBD can be used to teat a wide range of issues, from chronic pain conditions and inflammation to anxiety, depression, nausea, psychosis, autism, epilepsy, arthritis, and more.
THC, meanwhile, can also be used to treat conditions like chronic pain and anxiety, as well as lack of appetite, ocular conditions such as glaucoma, and sleep conditions such as insomnia.
Each compound might be better-suited to certain situations. When it comes to CBD vs THC for sleep, for example, THC might be slightly more potent. In regard to CBD vs THC anxiety, CBD is often the better option as it has less chance of affecting anxiety levels in a negative way.
CBD vs THC Effects
There have been many studies and much research into the potential effects of both CBD and THC. Studies show that both of these compounds can have certain side effects on the body.
Neither of them is fatal and both are considered safe in proper doses, but it’s still wise to be aware of the possible effects of CBD vs THC.
CBD side effects can include mild fatigue, an increase in appetite, and possible diarrhoea in sensitive users.
THC, meanwhile, can lead to a feeling of being high, as well as reddening of the eyes, dryness in the mouth, an increase in appetite, an increase in heart rate, a lack of concentration, slower reactions, and possibly memory loss or higher anxiety levels too.
Are THC and CBD Legal?
The legality of cannabis and hemp products is always changing and has seen big evolutions in recent years. However, individual laws can vary quite a lot from state to state.
Some states have approved medical marijuana for use, while others are considering recreational marijuana bills, that would allow THC and CBD products to become much more legally accessible.
In general, it’s wise to check out the laws in your own home region when considering CBD oil vs THC products to be sure of the legality, as the situation is changing greatly with each passing year.
CBD vs THC Chart
| CBD | THC | |
| Found in: | Marijuana, Hemp | Marijuana |
| Psychoactive properties: | Mild | Strong |
| Uses: | Treatment of cancer, chronic pain, depression, epilepsy, etc. | Treatment of chronic pain, sleep conditions, etc. |
| Side effects: | Fatigue, increased appetite | Loss of concentration, slow reactions, anxiety, memory loss |
| Products: | Oils, vapes, medicine, food, drinks, pet food, cosmetics | Syrups, oils, tinctures, creams, drops |
CBD and THC both have their benefits and uses. They’re both safe in proper doses, but THC does have additional side effect risks that users should be aware of. In general, it’s important to understand that even though these compounds have a few things in common, they’re still very different, and each one should be used in the right situations to avoid any unnecessary risks.
FAQ
THC is a psychoactive natural compound found in cannabis plants. It produces the sensation of being ‘high’ and can be used for medical or recreational purposes.
CBD is a natural compound of cannabis and hemp plants that interacts with the human body but doesn’t produce feelings of being high. It can help treat various mental and physical conditions.
The main difference between these two compounds is that THC has strong psychoactive properties, while CBD does not. This leads to different legal statuses for each compound and different medical applications too.
The legality of these products varies greatly from state to state. New laws and bills are being considered and introduced regularly, so anyone considering hemp CBD vs THC CBD should learn more about local laws before proceeding.