With more and more states allowing the use of medical cannabis, you may have a lot of questions. One common question is how is CBD different than THC? While THC usually gets all the attention, CBD is an alternative that doesn't have the same side effects as THC. If you would like to learn more about CBD and how it differs from THC, keep reading.
1. It Does Not Get You High
The main difference between CBD and THC is that it does not create that high feeling associated with cannabis. Only THC has the proper chemical structure to provide that euphoric feeling. For this reason, you can use CBD at just about any time, even if you are at work or driving. CBD does often create a calming effect, but it isn't psychoactive.
The reason THC makes you high is that it binds with cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain. CBD can't bind with these receptors as well and if it does, the connection is too weak to cause psychoactive side effects. CBD does have some minor side effects if you consume too much: diarrhea, fatigue, and dry mouth.
2. It Treats Different Conditions
Both CBD and THC help with many different conditions, but CBD may be best for certain conditions. CBD is often recommended for inflammatory bowel disease and other types of inflammation. In fact, studies have shown that applying CBD to the skin may even help with inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Another study showed that CBD hinders inflammatory and neuropathic pain, which are notoriously difficult to treat.
Other conditions treated by CBD include seizures, psychosis, nausea, migraine, depression, and anxiety. As an added benefit, as you determine the right dose to treat your condition, you don't need to worry about overdosing or death. You can't overdose on THC either, but too THC abuse may cause long-term psychiatric effects.
3. It May Be Best to Counteract Paranoia
Both CBD and THC are recommended for anxiety, but THC can actually cause anxiety and paranoia. You are more likely to experience paranoia while consuming THC if the THC content is high and/or you have high levels of estrogen. The reason THC sometimes causes this paranoia is that it binds to the amygdala receptor, which regulates responses to fear, anxiety, stress, and paranoia.
CBD doesn't directly bind to the amygdala receptor, so it doesn't cause these unpleasant side effects. In fact, CBD has been shown to have antipsychotic effects, and since paranoia is a psychotic symptom, CBD can actually help reduce paranoia, whether it was caused by THC or something else. If you do struggle with paranoia when consuming THC, make sure you choose strains that are high in CBD with little to no THC.
4. It's Usually Easier to Purchase
In some states, THC is still considered an illegal drug, but CBD usually has fewer restrictions. In Texas, it was removed from the Schedule 1 controlled substance list on April 5, 2019. You will need to pass a medical process to determine if you have a qualifying condition, such as autism, neurodegenerative disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, MS, seizures, and terminal cancer.
Anyone can possess CBD in Texas, but if the THC threshold is over 0.3 percent (0.5 percent for patients with a medical card), you may be arrested. There are two types of CBD: hemp CBD and cannabis CBD. In Texas, CBD must be derived from hemp CBD.
CBD has many advantages over THC. It doesn't get you high, which means you can use it all the time, even when you're working. Plus, with CBD, you are less likely to experience paranoia and anxiety. If you would like to learn more about CBD products and how they can help you, contact us at New Leaf Organic Wellness today.