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CBD vs THC. The effects of switching from THC to CBD
CBD vs THC. As we have seen, both compounds have substantial health benefits, but THC products have some side effects. If you like getting high, probably changing to CBD might not be in your best interest, but you should keep it in mind that it is illegal in most countries. But if you are using the THC products for medicinal purposes switching to CBD will be a wise decision because it will reduce anxiety just like the THC and it has most of the benefits of THC. And the good thing is that it will not make you high and most CBD products are legal in many states in the US.
Cannabinoid
A cannabinoid is one class of the chemical compounds that acts on the endocannabinoid system in your cells, and it usually alters the neurotransmitter release in the brain. Endocannabinoids that are produced by animals can stimulate the receptors in your mind, and you can also find in the cannabis plants (hemp and marijuana). They artificially manufactured cannabinoids, but they can also be a part of plants or animals.
Among the most known cannabinoids is the tetrahydrocannabinol or as commonly known THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants. The Cannabidiol or as widely known as CBD is another prevalent cannabinoid. The plant usually contains more than 100 compounds, but it is those two that are most popular.
The cannabinoids are used for medical purposes to treat different ailments, including nausea and joint pains. The common side effect the cannabinoids is causing confusion, sedation, dizziness, and the feeling high effect.
Animals, birds, fish, and reptiles are known to have cannabinoid receptors that make it possible for the cannabinoids to alter their behavior. As of now, there are two known cannabinoid receptors in human beings.
Cannabinoid receptor type 1.
These receptors are that are found in our brains and to be specific in ganglia as well as in the limbic system. The receptors can also be part of the reproductive systems of both females and males. The receptors are also part of our anterior eye and retina.
Cannabinoid receptor type 2.
The receptors are part of our immune systems. The receptors are responsible for anti-inflammatory as well as other therapeutic effects of cannabis in all animals.
Effects of CBD vs THC on Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Now that you know something about the cannabinoids, in this section, we will discuss some of the effects that they have on our bodies. CBD and THC are the most common cannabinoids, so what are the impact do they have in our bodies?
They extract CBD from the hemp plant. The forms of CBD can be gummies, supplements, oils, and extracts, among other types. The THC, on the other hand, is the psychoactive compound found in the marijuana plants and sold in oils, edibles, tinctures, etc.
Both these cannabinoids interact with the ECS, but their effects are very different. They might have a lot of similarities since they are both extracted from the cannabis plant, but they have key differences in how people use them. To understand more, let us look at how different characteristics in them affect or help our bodies differently.
CBD vs THC psychoactive components.
As we have already highlighted, the cannabinoids might have the same chemical structures and everything, but the psychoactive effects of both are very different. CBD does not produce the feeling of high impact like its counterpart, the THC.
The THC binds with cannabinoid type 1 in our brains and produces a sense of euphoria or the feeling of high effect. The CBD, on the other hand, has minimal impact if any, to the cannabinoid receptor type 1. The CBD can even interfere with the binding by the THC and dampen the effects caused by it.
CBD vs THC medical benefits/ effects.
Both of these cannabinoids are very important to our bodies, and their health benefits are incomparable to most extract of plants out there. They are both known to provide relief to several conditions as we are going to discuss in this section. CBD does not have euphoric effects like its counterpart THC, and most people tend to prefer it. There are CBD products that are approved by the food and drug administration for various uses. For example, in June 2018, a product was approved for treating epilepsy.
CBD benefits
- For thousands of years dating back to 2900 B.C, people use CBD from hemp plants for pain relief purposes.
- CBD has anti-inflammatory effects that can be vital in dealing with chronic inflammation that leads to chronic diseases like cancer.
- It also has enormous benefits when it comes to dealing with stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, CBD can be used to treat acne and other skin problems.
THC benefits
Just like its counterpart, THC has many health benefits that include:
- Also, people use THC to relieve pain, for a long time for that purpose.
- THC products can help with muscle spasticity.
- Just like CBD, THC can also be used to help combat nausea.
- If you are having a problem with a low appetite, THC can be of help.
- THC has also has been known to help deal with anxiety problems.
CBD vs THC side effects
You can tolerate CBD even when taken in large doses, and the side effects that come along with its usage are minimal, and mostly they come about if you are on other medication. Regarding THC, it has side effects such as increased heart rates, red eyes, memory loss, dry mouth, and coordination problems.
The effects of switching from THC to CBD
As we have seen, both compounds have substantial health benefits, but THC products have some side effects. If you like getting high, probably changing to CBD might not be in your best interest, but you should keep it in mind that it is illegal in most countries. But if you are using the THC products for medicinal purposes switching to CBD will be a wise decision because it will reduce anxiety just like the THC and it has most of the benefits of THC. And the good thing is that it will not make you high and most CBD products are legal in many states in the US.
DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics requires this disclaimer. We collected this information from different sources for the benefit of our consumers. The Food and Drug Administration did not evaluate the statements made regarding these products. The effectiveness of these products is not confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not meant to cure, diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. The information presented here is not intended as a substitute for knowledge from health-care practitioners. It is also not meant as an alternative to expertise from health-care practitioners. You should always consult with your doctor and ask about the risk of interactions or complications before using any products.