What are the differences between THC and CBD?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are two chemicals or active ingredients in Cannabis that provide Cannabis with its potential therapeutic uses.

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are produced naturally by the cannabis plant. Scientists have found more than 500 compounds in cannabis, in which, over 100 of those compounds are cannabinoids. Though there are many different cannabinoids in Cannabis, THC and CBD are the two most commonly recognized components in medical cannabis.

Once the cannabis is consumed the cannabinoid chemicals attach to endocannabinoid receptors in your body. The endocannabinoid system has millions of receptors that are specially designed to interact with cannabinoids. When THC and CBD enter your body they naturally attach to the receptors and start communicating, which triggers the effects felt by cannabis. The way the cannabinoid receptors react depend on what cannabinoid you ingested, as each has a different set of therapeutic properties.

What Does THC Do?

THC is the cannabinoid responsible for many of the psychoactive effects of cannabis. THC causes you to feel “high”, tired, hungry, and can make some feel anxious or paranoid (but it has a lot of positive effects as well…see below). THC binds to the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors in the brain. These receptors regulate appetite, memory, mood, and pain. THC attaches in a different way than CBD, it binds to the receptors. The way the THC ‘binds’ is what makes the feeling of being ‘high’. Here are a few medical diagnoses and symptoms that patients use THC for:

• Appetite Stimulation
• Chronic Pain/Inflammation
• Digestive Issues
• Mood Disorder Symptoms
• Nausea
• Insomnia/Sleep Apnea
• Chronic Pain/Inflammation

What Does CBD Do?

CBD is one of the non-psychoactive cannabinoids in cannabis responsible for pain relief, inflammation relief, and in some cases and increase in energy. CBD can be used at work, as CBD is not a mood or personality altering chemical. CBD is often noted as a cannabinoid that ‘balances out’ the effects of THC that are often not favored by patients. CBD has an overwhelming amount of potential therapeutic uses. Here are a few medical diagnoses and symptoms that patients use CBD for:

• Arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases (i.e Lupus, Crohns, Colitis)
• Cancer and tumors
• Chronic Pain
• Diabetes
• Inflammation
• IBS, IBD and menstrual cramps
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Nausea and vomiting

Research shows that CBD can be more effective when it is consumed with THC. This is called the ‘entourage effect’. The two cannabinoids can work better when they’re together rather than isolated. Some patients will use THC at night to sleep as well as to help ease the energetic effects of CBD.

As with all treatments, patient’s needs vary with medical cannabis which is why our cannabis-educated health care professionals are here to help you find the right dose and strain for each patient.

Here at Plants Not Pills, we can connect you to a physician who will work with you to find the best options in cannabinoid therapy specific for the medical symptoms that you wish to treat.

For more information on getting a medical marijuana card and accessing medical marijuana strains that could help treat your symptoms, contact hello@plantsnotpillsusa.com or call us directly at (813) 603-3107.