CBD and THC, both are important cannabinoid compounds in cannabis, this plant has different proportions of each of them and depending on this, it receives different names, cannabis indica, cannabis sativa or industrial hemp and hybrid cannabis.
According to studies carried out on THC and CBD, it was determined that they have a chemical composition similar to that of the endocannabinoids produced by the human body, which allows both to bind to different receptors of the endocannabinoid system and thus cause the typical associated effects. to the consumption of cannabis and many other aspects, both good and bad, depending on the variety of the plant, the levels it may have of each compound and the way of consuming it.
This leads us to ask ourselves: Do THC and CBD work in the same way? The answer is no, despite being cannabinoid siblings, the effects of each one on the body are completely different, that is why in this article we are going to explain better how they differ from each other, what effects they cause both together and separately, whether it is legal or not to consume them and we will also explain a little about other cannabis compounds similar to these.
Some effects of THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most famous and consumed of the Cannabinoids, recognized for its psychoactive properties, its mostly recreational use. When consuming this compound, your brain is affected in different areas, altering the perception of reality, releasing high levels of dopamine which leads to a feeling of euphoria, dry mouth, sweating, red eyes and other effects that we will tell you about. explaining one by one.
Memory loss and altered consciousness
THC is one of the enemies of neurons and the brain, and it has been shown to have effects on short-term memory. It is very normal for regular users of cannabis sativa with a high level of THC to forget things, in addition to having a distorted perception of time.
Stimulates the appetite
This cannabinoid intensifies the work of the hypothalamus, increasing appetite, leading the user to consume more food than normal. This is good for treating people with anorexia.
More THC equals less coordination
By ingesting THC, your motor skills will be affected, in many cases preventing you from maintaining balance and preventing you from moving easily.
Causes Paranoia
In many cases, THC increases levels of anxiety and paranoia, making the person feel scared.
Positive effects of THC
THC helps reduce nausea and therefore vomiting, reduces pain, produces an antioxidant effect, reduces intraocular pressure, has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces spasms in patients with Tourette syndrome.
Comparison between THC and CBD
The main difference between the two cannabinoids is their psychoactivity. THC is the psychoactive element and is mainly used recreationally by consumers. CBD, on the other hand, has a generally therapeutic and medicinal use, it is not consumed by users seeking the “high” effect of THC.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, today many studies have been carried out, determining that it is used for the treatment of more than 50 diseases and ailments, entering into this group are Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Glaucoma, Anxiety and Depression.
Unlike THC, CBD does not have as many side effects, and it is still believed that the few it does have are not entirely linked to it, but rather to the disease being treated.
Another notable difference between these cannabis brothers is that when using CBD long term, your body does not suffer damage, nor does it create tolerance, while with THC, when you have been consuming it for a long time, your body will need larger quantities to be able to cause the same effect as the first few times.
With the use of THC there have been cases of patients who have developed neuronal diseases such as Psychosis and Schizophrenia, this is associated with the increase in levels of paranoia that usually accompany the use of this substance. While on the other hand, CBD has been used to counteract these effects and help people who have treatment for these diseases.
When THC is consumed from an early age, it can cause a damage to cognitive development, unlike CBD, whose oil has been used in children with epilepsy and has not affected any of them in the same way as THC.
The most common way to consume THC is inhaled, which causes damage to the lungs, causing diseases such as bronchitis. CBD is mostly consumed sublingually in oils, however, it can also be inhaled, but through vaporizers, which reduces the chances of suffering from respiratory diseases.
Another notable difference is its legal status, while CBD is not considered a psychotropic. it is legal in many countries, and accepted by health institutions such as the WHO as a medicinal compound, THC is prohibited in most countries, so consumption, carrying and distribution is punishable.
THC-CBD ratios
There are many varieties of cannabis, and these also contain different proportions of THC and CBD. In many cases this proportion is used to provide information to the user about the possible effects of this variety of cannabis.
Ratio 1:0
This proportion does not contain any CBD. Its use will be practically recreational and will produce effects of euphoria, improved mood, desire to laugh, etc. It can cause tachycardia, confusion and even paranoia.
Ratio 1:1
This proportion combines both THC and CBD in equal percentages, the effects of both cannabinoids are mixed and ends up producing a well-being and relaxation effect. These varieties can be used to treat ailments such as anxiety, fibromyalgia or pain.
Ratio 2:1
Contains more THC than CBD. These varieties of cannabis will obviously produce euphoria thanks to THC, but with CBD it is modulated to reach a state of relaxation and thus not cause side effects such as paranoia, which are more frequent in a 1:0 ratio.
Ratio 0:1
This proportion only contains CBD so it is not for recreational use nor does it cause a high effect. It is used for mainly therapeutic purposes. They have not been very common until recently, and every day they are creating new and better varieties rich in CBD and with the lowest percentage of THC possible. In HispaCBD Our products come from natural cultivation of cannabis varieties with this proportion.
Other endocannabinoid compounds
Cannabis has more than 400 compounds in its structure, and at least about 100 are called cannabinoids, as they are capable of binding to our endocannabinoid system.
Each of the cannabis compounds causes a different effect on the body, however, they have two important points in common, all of them are used by science for medical purposes, there is also the fact that they act on the central nervous system due to that receptors of the endocannabinoid system reside there
There are 5 compounds of this plant that have had greater relevance due to their effects and use, which are called Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and the already named Cannabidiol (CBD). ) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Cannabinol (CBN)
This compound has psychotropic effects, it acts through the CB1 and CB2 receptors, but with a very low intensity in relation to THC. CBN has anticonvulsant effects and there is evidence of causing a decrease in heart rate, it helps prevent bone deterioration, and it reduces insomnia since it has strong sedative effects.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
This cannabinoid does not have psychoactive effects, but it does have therapeutic effects on diseases such as glaucoma, it reduces anxiety, it is a very good muscle relaxant, it helps reduce intestinal inflammation, it has antiseptic properties, and it also serves to prevent and treat skin problems.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
This non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid has great therapeutic potential acting as an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic, helps reduce migraines and also serves to treat pain, however, there are still many studies that support all these benefits.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
Much has been studied about this cannabinoid, determining that in low doses it can reduce inflammation, reduce seizures and reduce pain, however, in higher doses it can cause an effect similar to that of THC, being highly psychoactive in this case.
Is CBD better than THC?
Knowing all this information it is easy to answer this question, comparing all the positive and negative aspects of THC compared to CBD, we can notice that the latter is better in many aspects, it has great therapeutic properties and its use has changed the lives of people with serious illnesses such as cancer or epilepsy. There is still a lot to learn about this compound and how it can benefit us.
This does not mean that THC is completely bad, because, despite having many negative effects on health, if consumed wisely and under supervision, benefits can be obtained in different aspects. It is expected that there will be more research on this compound that can provide further support for its therapeutic use.