CBD vs THC What are the Differences?

What is CBD
Harlequin, a sativa-dominant pheno of the high CBD weed strain, Cannatonic, is a popular strain in CA.

What is CBD?

CBD vs THC what are the differences is the focus of this post. Let’s start by defning each of these popular cannabinoids. CBD is for Cannabidiol and it’s found in abundance in hemp and marijuana plants. But when we Googled it Christian Book Store and Christian Book Store distributors came right up—that’s not what we’re talking about here. So if you’re looking for a christianbook or a Christian Book Store, you’re out of luck, dude.

Anyhow, for decades marijuana growers have tried to breed bud to deliver the most mind-blowing high possible. That bud is chock full of a cannabinoid called THC aka The High Causer (tetrahydrocannabinol). Recently however breeders are going in the opposite direction. They’re creating cannabis with tons of Cannabidiol, a cannabinoid that works to counteract THC. That means high CBD weed won’t get you high. So why would breeders waste their time? Because some patients, including kids, need the healing powers of weed without the euphoria.

What is THC

What is THC? Well, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis and is responsible for the “high” or intoxicating effects of the plant. THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and nervous system. It produces a variety of effects such as altered perception, mood changes, and increased appetite. THC has also been used for medicinal purposes. I can provide pain relief, reducing nausea and vomiting, and increasing appetite in people with HIV/AIDS and cancer.

high cbd strains
Over the years pot & grown for recreational use like making vape oil typically contained more THC v CBD

CBD vs THC

Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol are the most abundant cannabinoids found in a marijuana plant or hemp. However pot grown for recreational use typically contains more THC vs CBD. However because of the soaring popularity of high CBD strains and things like CBD vape oil or a CBD tincture for medial use, breeders have been fast at work creating strains with high Cannabidiol levels and virtually no THC at all. Some of these strains include:

  • Charlotte’s Web
  • AC/DC
  • Harlequin
  • Sour Tsunami
  • Cannatonic

You know how pot can make some people sleepy? Studies suggest Cannabidiol acts to promote wakefulness. This could explain why some marijuana strains boost energy while others feel like they zap it. Numerous studies also suggest that CBD acts to reduce the intoxicating effects of THC, such as memory impairment and paranoia. Many other studies suggest it can effectively treat a wide range of conditions. They include arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD, antibiotic-resistant infections, epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Cannabidiol has also demonstrated neuroprotective and neurogenic effects as well. And it has anti-cancer properties too—which are under investigation in the United States abroad.

CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) are both compounds found in the cannabis plant. But they have different effects on the body and are used for different purposes.

Main Differences

The main difference between CBD and THC is that THC is psychoactive. It produces the “high” or intoxicating effects associated with marijuana use. CBD is non-psychoactive and does not produce a high.

THC works by binding to receptors in the brain and nervous system, which can alter perception, mood, and consciousness. THC is typically used for recreational purposes. But it also has medical benefits such as pain relief, appetite stimulation, and reducing nausea. CBD, on the other hand, works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. It helps to regulate various bodily functions such as mood, appetite, and sleep. CBD has a range of potential therapeutic benefits, including reducing anxiety and depression, alleviating pain and inflammation, and improving sleep.

Another important difference between CBD and THC is their legal status. THC is still illegal in many places. CBD is legal in many countries as long as it is derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC.

Use in tandem

It’s important to note that both CBD and THC can be used separately or together, depending on the desired effects. For example, some medical cannabis products may contain higher levels of CBD than THC to minimize psychoactive effects. But they still provide pain relief or other therapeutic benefits. Other products may contain higher levels of THC for recreational or medicinal purposes.

thc v cbd oil
Lately CBD and CBD oil has made news because of its effectiveness in treating Dravet’s Syndrome

Success stories

Lately CBD weed and CBD oil has made news because of its effectiveness in treating Dravet’s Syndrome—an especially debilitating form of epilepsy that affects children and is resistant to current approved treatment methods. Sufferers are plagued by seizures, often up to hundreds a day, that worsen as they age. Some can even be life-threatening. Currently, treatment methods include an eyepatch, specialized diets and brain surgery, but all have mixed success rates. There are of course several pharmaceutical treatments for Dravet’s as well, but unlike medical marijuana they can lead to overdoses and myriad unwanted side-effects.

One of the earliest success stories of kids using high CBD weed to treat Dravet’s involves a young girl named Charlotte. She was given a CBD oil from a strain called Charlotte’s Web—specifically developed to provide her with all the benefits of marijuana without any of the high. In less than 2 years she went from 1,200 seizures a month to just three. The video highlights Charlotte and the strains that help alleviate her symptoms.

CBD Hemp Oil

Cannabidiol is found in hemp and hemp oil. Oddly enough hemp can be legally imported and sold in the U.S. As a result, stateside companies are importing high-CBD hemp oil from countries where hemp is legally produced. Hopefully with relaxing hemp laws, domestic hemp oil will be more readily available.

CBD vs THC is stuff stoners like
Harlequin is another popular sativa-dominant high-CBD strain

Future of CBD vsTHC

Synthetic Cannabidiol, called Epidiolex, is developed by a drug company based in the UK. It consists of “more than 98 percent CBD, trace quantities of some other cannabinoids, and zero THC.” The company responsible, GW Pharmaceuticals, makes another cannabis drug, Sativex. It has been approved in over 24 countries for treating multiple sclerosis.

Have you tried a CBD-rich strain? Want to tell us your thoughts on CBD vs THC? Please feel free to leave a comment in the section below.

How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?



18 Responses to “CBD vs THC What are the Differences?”

  1. Colleen

    I want to know how long the CBD stays in the body after using it. Everyone only talks about when it’s smoked and I never will do. How about those that take it in a pill or oil format? I’m using it only for medical use and consider it as a drug for medical use and need to find a number dose and not how much I want to use for my epilepsy.

  2. jet

    Thanks for posting that video and for giving people a chance to see the “other side” of marijuana.,

  3. jet

    Colleen, from what I understand cbd and thc are two different things but you wonder if drug tests test for both? and if they do how much cbd needs to be in your system to fail the test? Do you have a marijuana prescription? It tests the same no matter how you ingest it.

  4. Questions for jet

    Thc is the main thing they test for in a drug test for Marijuana.. please explain how it comes up in your system no matter how u ingest cbd????

  5. Questions for jet

    …meaning in a drug test.

  6. Darius

    Cbd does not show up in your system from what I’ve learned so far.

  7. Jules

    Either way CBD oil is legal it can be sold in vape shops and other various places. Even if it shows up on a drug test they can’t do anything about it.

  8. AJ

    It is possible that CBD oil will show up as a positive for marijuana on a drug test – much like poppy seeds came bring a false positive to opioids. BUT all research I’ve seen (I am not a doctor OR an expert) is that CBD oil is like taking a supplement or a vitamin – and it doesn’t act as a psychotropic (meaning you don’t get high). It utilizes different receptors in the brain.
    Hope that helps, again, I’m not an expert.

  9. Anonymous

    If this drug does so much good for the sick people,, it should be legalized A. S. A. P. ” IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE DELAYING IT ANY LONGER. IF ITS USE FOR MEDICINES PURPOSES.”

  10. Daniel. Shaw

    how can I buy this

  11. Anonymous

    Most common drug screening tests for THC. If you are smoking high CBD bud you are still ingesting THC and will likely test positive. If you are using CBD meds, oil, pill, vape etc… very little THC is ingested and in most average users, the drug screen will be negative. To be sure, get only CBD products that are produced in labs with quality controls. If there are percentages or CBD amounts listed with the product, it is very unlikely that a drug screen would come back positive but due to trace amounts of THC in most of them, heavy use can cause a positive result.

  12. Tweezy

    I bought a CBD pen and oil a few weeks ago. I have been looking everywhere for a health reason to not vape it or how it can possibly be bad for me. Looking all over and unless the CBD people themselves own all the sites I visited this is a safe, healthier alternative to pot. I for one retired the bong and picked up the pen.

  13. Tweezy

    I bought a CBD pen and oil a few weeks ago. I have been looking everywhere for a health reason to not vape it or how it can possibly be bad for me. Looking all over and unless the CBD people themselves own all the sites I visited this is a safe, healthier alternative to pot. I for one retired the bong and picked up the pen. If evidence can be found, please let me know.

  14. tynugus

    The most important thing to look out for in vape pen cartridges is a mix of Propylene glycol that they use to cut the CBD oil with. It is a very nasty chemical that is unsafe for any body to ingest. It is also found in all kinds of food and other products as a preservative. It is labled by the FDA as a safe food grade product (the FDA is Bull Shit ). Instead, look or ask for a vap cartridge or CBD oils that use plant glycerin or other safe oils. FYI they will not test for CBD in a drug screen, only THC. CBD is legally used and distributed in all 50 states and other countries. I hope this helped. Happy medicating. Be safe.

  15. Jay

    I bought cbd oil recently had 43% cbd and 25℅ thc will this show up on my drug test?

  16. Sopee

    @tynugus actually prop-glycol can be ingested, it can not be heated to a certain temperature and then be ingested or inhaled. So the FDA isn’t bull$&!#, you just didn’t misunderstood.

  17. Anonymous

    Are the effects of cw oil as effective as smoking cw? Is the effect as quick?-

  18. Tom banville

    Is investing’ve oil as effective relief as smoking cw?

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