Tetrahydrocannabinol & Cannabidiol: what are the differences?
More than 500 active compounds make up marijuana and at least 113 of them belong to a family of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. THC and CBD are the main ones, but what makes them different and why they are inseparable? Both are active chemicals that act on receptors in the body, however, they are opposed in several ways. It's important to understand the basics and figure out how it affects your daily intake.
Cannabinoids
Of this group, the two most common and sought after compounds are THC and CBD but they are very different. Cannabinoids each have specific properties and are responsible for the desirable effects of cannabis use, they are also the primary target of extraction (phytocannabinoids), namely the series of physical and chemical processes used to separate these. active ingredients from inert plant material and create concentrates.
As new strains and varieties of products become available in the cannabis industry, it is more important than ever for investors or users to understand the difference between these two compounds. The infographics show us the main differences between THC and CBD.
Psychoactive effects
We can distinguish in the illustration that the two molecules have an equivalent chemical composition, however they differ significantly in their chemical properties. Among the known differences, THC produces psychotropic effects, but CBD does not make you stoned. Their difference is in the way the atoms are arranged and this is the reason why they act on the human body differently. When it comes to psychoactive effects, the real ingredients are CB1 receptors, which are concentrated predominantly in the central nervous system and the brain. The distinct difference between THC and CBD is fundamental in the way they individually interact with the cannabinoid or the CB1 receptor. THC has been proven to have a better binding effect on CB1 receptors than CBD. This is the main difference between the two.
Agonist effects
You can think of it as an electrical outlet that connects to your wall outlet. The THC molecule is ideally formed to be able to connect to CB1 receptors. When these are connected, THC is stimulated or activated on CB1 receptors. THC is an agonist towards CB1 receptors, working to activate them. THC mimics a partially and naturally created neurotransmitter called a happiness molecule or anandamide. This anandamide is classified as an endocannabinoid (natural cannabinoid of the human body) and has activating properties vis-à-vis CB1 receptors.
CBD still falls into the antagonist category, which means it is not a direct activator or suppressor. Instead, it suppresses the properties of cannabinoids. In other words, THC and CBD when ingested result in direct stimulation of the receptors. In this case, the CBD transforms THC, which helps reduce its usual psychoactive results. So in other words, CBD can greatly reduce the effects of THC. This is especially true for the (supposed) negative effects of THC, which can include short-term memory and anxiety.
Therapeutic effects
In the comparison of THC vs CBD, it is clear that the two compounds are very different. Although they interact with receptors in the body, they produce different effects. For starters, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound while CBD, or cannabidiol, does not affect the mind in the same capacity.
The THC & CBD synergy
If you were to use a vaporizer with a cannabis flower that has more than 20% THC and the flower contained 0,2% CBD, the THC will activate your CB1 receptors, but in this case a low amount of CBD. , there will be no interference with THC. You will have some unpleasant effects if you seek adequate therapy. If you crank up the CBD and use the same percentage of THC, the combination will be highly therapeutic. CBD and THC work together for optimum effect. Hence the interest of plants of Sativa strains (especially landraces).
conclusions
Because of these effects, THC is usually used to treat pain, nausea, sleep apnea, or stress disorders, as well as to fight symptoms or side effects of chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis. , glaucoma, AIDS or damage to the spine. In contrast, CBD is used to treat inflammation, stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as being used to fight cancer, epilepsy, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, migraines, arthritis and the side effects of cancer treatments.
The difference in psychoactive effect between THC and CBD has had insightful implications in politics. Some politicians regard THC as a bad cannabinoid, and CBD as the best cannabinoid. In the southern states, there have been many CBD laws. Laws only approved by lawmakers who are reluctant to do the same for THC. However, there are cannabis advocates who are aware of the usefulness of the whole plant. As researchers continue to study THC and CBD, it is hoped to advance the conditions under which THC combined with CBD can be accepted successfully.
