Up to 480 natural components can be found within the Cannabis plant, 66 of these have been classified as cannabinoids. The most well known of these cannabinoids are THC and CBD. The major differences between these two cannabinoids are determined by the extent to which they are psychoactive.
A psychoactive drug is a chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness. CBD is not known to have such an effect. THC on the other hand is known to be psychoactive and is the reason so many people smoke cannabis recreationally.
Medical Benefits Of CBD
Due to the current legal climate surrounding cannabis not enough research is carried out to support all the positives effects that CBD could have in the medical community. CBD often gets neglected by researchers as it does not cause the high in cannabis. This doesn’t mean its medical properties and potential benefits could be much greater than THC. CBD offers a wide range of medical benefits, including:
- Anti-inflammation
- Anti-pain
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-psychosis
- Anti-spasm
Numerous studies have shown that CBD could also be a viable treatment for:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Alcoholism
- Multiple sclerosis
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD
- Alzheimer’s
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
Medical Studies
Recent studies have also shown that CBD can be incredibly effective when it comes to treating mental health issues such as the many forms of anxiety. In one specific study people with seasonal anxiety disorder (SAD) were split into two groups, only one of the groups received a 600mg dose of CBD whilst the others were given a placebo. The scientists then asked the participants to undergo a simulated public speaking exercise while they measured their heart rate and blood pressure in order to estimate how anxious / stressed they were during the test.
The CBD group showed significantly lower levels of discomfort and anxiety during the simulated speaking test when compared to the other test group who were given the placebo. This is incredibly important as according to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 40 million adults in the USA have some sort of generalized anxiety disorder. The current treatment plan for these conditions is outdated and normally consists of counselling and medication. Being able to treat these disorders with CBD would be an improvment as the patient would no longer be exposed to the side effects of these pharma drugs.
CBD Extraction
The extraction of CBD allows patients to enjoy all the medicinal benefits of the cannabis plant without having to experience the high. This means that cannabis would be a lot more accessible to the general population and younger kids if they are in need of its medicinal properties.
It should also be noted that because there are around 480 components within the cannabis plant we do not fully know how they interact with each other yet. As a result just smoking pure extracted CBD might not be as effective due to the lack of the other cannabinoids which will give a full spectrum effect.
The CBD is actually extracted from industrial hemp meaning that it is pretty cheap to produce and the final product will also contain a range of other cannabinoids such as CBC and CBG. These other cannabinoids have their own medicinal benefits while also working alongside the CBD to give a full spectrum effect.
Medical Benefits Of THC
THC is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. However getting high is not all its good for, THC has been proven to have a host positive effects on brain cells. Whereas most recreational drugs, such as MDMA and Cocaine, are neurotoxic, THC is considered a “neuroprotectant,”. This means it can protect brain cells from damage caused by things like inflammation and oxidative stress.
What’s more, scientists have even shown that THC can promote the growth of new brain cells through a process known as neurogenesis. This effect was first discovered in 2005 by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan. The same medical study also states that cannabinoids appear to be able to modulate pain, nausea, vomiting, epilepsy, ischemic stroke, cerebral trauma, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and other disorders in humans and/or animals.
Conclusion
The main differences between CBD and THC lie in their psychoactive effects, medical benefits, side effects, and legal status. While both cannabinoids have unique and beneficial properties, consumers should consider their needs and the legal status of these substances in their location when deciding to use products containing CBD or THC.
