Explaining the Difference Between CBD and THC

If you’ve been following the trends in health and wellness, you know that these days, it’s easy to find CBD for sale. This may have caused you to become more curious about what CBD can do and you’ve been having urges to try it yourself! But the more you immerse yourself in it, the more questions you start to ask.You’ve probably seen a product labeled as CBD oil with THC and have felt even more lost. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The difference between CBD and THC is a topic that is commonly raised among CBD oil users.Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two of the most prominent cannabinoids, or compounds, found in the Cannabis plant. And in this article, we’ll give you a better understanding of why they are often confused and how they are actually different from one another.

Chemical Structure

When it comes to the chemical formula, CBD and THC both have 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. They differ, however, in the way the atoms are arranged, giving them different chemical properties and thus creating a difference in the way they affect the body.

Both CBD and THC are chemically similar to your body’s own endocannabinoids, allowing them to interact with your cannabinoid receptors.

The interaction affects the release of neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for relaying messages between cells and have roles in things like mood, memory, pain, immune function, stress, and sleep.

Know more about CBD for pain.

Psychoactive Components

Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC have different psychoactive effects. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound and does not produce the “high” associated with THC. THC, on the other hand—as you now guessed—produces this “high”, which people associate with using marijuana recreationally.

Moreover, CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, but they interact with slightly different receptors in a person’s brain. THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain and produces a sense of euphoria or “high”. While CBD binds very weakly, if at all, to CB1 receptors. In fact, it can interfere with the binding of THC and dampen the psychoactive effects.

Legality

Cannabis-related laws are evolving regularly. Hemp-derived CBD is legal in the United States as long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law under the Farm Bill, which includes the hemp to contain less than 0.3% THC.On the other hand, marijuana-derived CBD is a lot more complicated. Marijuana and THC are on the list of controlled substances, so they’re prohibited under federal law.If you intend to use CBD or THC, it is best to get information about your state’s latest laws. Possessing cannabis-related products in a state where they are illegal or not having a medical prescription in states where they are legal for medical use, could lead you to face legal penalties.

Know more about the difference between hemp and marijuana here.

Why do I need to know about THC if I only want to use CBD oil?

If you’re planning to buy CBD online or at any shop, it’s crucial to understand the relation between THC and CBD oil.

CBD and THC are two of the most prominent cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. Both CBD and THC can be produced by both marijuana and hemp plant. However, marijuana has a higher concentration of THC, while hemp has a higher concentration of CBD.

CBD oil may contain small amounts of THC simply because it is present in the hemp plant. CBD can have no more than 0.3 percent THC to be legal at the federal level.

Check out our CBD oil products here.

Conclusion

CBD and THC are both cannabinoids or compounds found in cannabis. They can both be found in the hemp plant and marijuana plant. Marijuana has a higher concentration of THC, while hemp has a higher concentration of CBD. With this, marijuana-derived CBD and hemp-derived CBD have a huge difference in their legality status. Moreover, since THC is responsible for bringing the “high”, hemp-derived CBD oil products are much more preferred to those who do not want to experience any psychoactive effects. With Complete Hemp, you can find products with full-spectrum CBD or CBD products that are THC-free.