Are THC and CBD the Same? Do They Offer Similar Benefits/ Disadvantages?
When it comes to controversial topics, cannabis has had its share. However, the question is whether it comes under the category of “drugs” or “medicinal purposes”, or both.
Cannabis secretes a tar like residue known as resin. This consists of various cannabinoids including THC and CBD. Each cannabinoid plays a different role in benefitting people in different ways; the ones most commonly known to mankind are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
However, even though they go hand in hand by offering benefits similar to each other, they aren’t the same. THC for example, gives you a high or an intoxicated feeling, while CBD doesn’t. Both are used in different parts of the world to treat common diseases like anxiety and depression, yet they aren’t the same thing.
THC affects certain receptors of the brain as well as the central nervous system, thus causing people to feel “high” or as most people call it- stoned. CBD on the other hand can reduce the intoxicating effect caused by THC, depending on how much of both is consumed.
If one wants very little of the benefit that THC has to offer in order to avoid the high, he can choose from a range of CBD products. A lot of CBD products come with a very minimal amount of THC which helps them get the best of both.
Similarities-
Both THC and CBD can give relief from anxiety and depression, but temporarily. Medical marijuana is recommended for the same reason.
Both can give relief from inflammation in different areas which is why both cannabinoids come in the form of creams and lotions too.
Forms of CBD
CBD however comes in more forms than THC does. Firstly, CBD comes in three varieties- Full spectrum (contains all the cannabinoids of the hemp plant), broad spectrum (contains all the cannabinoids except for THC) and isolate (contains only and only CBD).
You can find them in various forms including tablets, capsules, creams, vaping and more in order to cater to different purposes required by different people. Tinctures are used that can be consumed orally when one needs to change the amount being consumed every now and then. On the other hand, capsules or tablets can be consumed when one is sure about how much he/she wants to consume and is consistent with the same.
In conclusion, CBD and THC are similar but not the same. They can have similar effects on the human body, but the main difference in the two is that THC is intoxicating while CBD isn’t.