THC or CBD: Find What Is In Your Weed?

The demand for hemp products grew since hemp products got legalized in the states by the 2018 Farm Bill. But before one uses these hemp or marijuana products, it is also essential to understand the components of weed. The two most known cannabinoids found in weed are CBD, THC, and THCA, its parent component, but what properties do they have? Let’s find out what these components in weed are and what benefits they bring to their users.

What Is Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol is naturally present in industrial hemp plants, usually as an oil. It is perhaps the most used and appreciated substance derived from weed due to its health properties. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid, so it interacts with our endocannabinoid receptors and provides benefits like pain relief. The extra help is that it does so faster than traditional medicines and doesn’t have side effects.

Currently, people are using and loving CBD for various medical purposes. It is an ideal supplement for many to deal with pain, anxiety, stress, sleeplessness, and other issues. Plus, it is natural, so one can use it regularly without worrying about adverse long-term effects on the body.

What Is THC?

THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is found in marijuana plants more frequently. It is the component that gives people’ high’ due to its psychoactive effects. Most people who use marijuana recreationally use it for this substance since it has an intoxicating effect. On the other hand, it is the substance that causes many people to refrain from using weed and its products.

However, THC is found abundantly in marijuana plants, while industrial hemp has little or no THC. THC also has a few health benefits like appetite stimulation, pain reduction, etc. Sadly, it also has a few side effects on the user, like nausea, anxiety, paranoia, etc.

Also read: How Long Can Weed Last in a Ziploc Bag?

The Differences Between CBD and THC

Though these components come from the same plant family, they have distinct properties. Of course, there are some similarities, but there are aspects unique to either THC or CBD. These differences only confirm the fact that cannabidiol is ideal for medical use.

Especially for people who do not want to face any psychoactive effects, cannabidiol is the substance to use. If you look at the table here, you can see the key differences in both that set them apart from one another:

Factors	Cannabidiol	THC
Psychoactive	No	Yes
Legal	Federally legal; Legal in most states	Federally legal; illegal in some states
Source	Industrial Hemp	Marijuana
Health Benefits	Anxiety, pain, stress, sleeplessness, seizures reduction,  etc.	Pain reduction, appetite promotion, nausea reduction, etc.
Side Effects	Fatigue or drowsiness, stomach problems, etc.	Anxiety, paranoia, redness in eyes, inability to coordinate, etc.

What Are Their Benefits?

Now that you’ve seen the main difference between THC and cannabidiol- let us move on to their uses and benefits. These components are cannabinoids, so they have some shared benefits, but other health properties differ. It is also ideal to know their benefits since they can have varying implications for different people. To decide which type of weed is the right one, you can refer to these benefits and see which ones suit you.

THC Benefits

• It acts as an appetite stimulant and increases hunger after consumption
• It interacts with endocannabinoid receptors to reduce pain in the body.
• It helps reduce inflammation in and around the body..
• It improves your mood and decreases stress levels.
• It acts as an antioxidant and has antibacterial effects.

Cannabidiol Benefits

• It helps relieve pain, both chronic and occasional, in the body.
• It reduces anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental illnesses.
• It helps achieve sleep faster and for more time.
• It can substantially reduce inflammation in the body, skin, etc.
• It helps reduce epileptic seizures, especially in kids.

Does Weed Contain Both THC and Cannabidiol?

Technically, weed does contain both THC and cannabidiol. However, the quantities of these substances differ depending on the type of weed. There are two main types of weed plants common in the market, namely marijuana and industrial hemp. Marijuana plants have a naturally high amount of THC and some cannabidiol. Thus, people who consume marijuana can experience high and also health benefits. However, for medical purposes, hemp plants are better. It is due to their positive effects and absence of side effects. Industrial hemp has a higher concentration of CBD while there is 0.3% to no THC. It is why hemp is perfect for medical purposes and people who dislike the psychoactive effects of marijuana. It consequently also has lesser side effects, so it is relatively more convenient to use.

Medical Disclaimer: All the content available on the website is just for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for any Professional advice. Don’t take it personally. As a medical student, I’m just trying to use my information through my content, and please keep in mind it’s not written by a professional doctor. Use the data just for educational purposes.