CBD vs THC: What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
If you have an interest in CBD products, or are using cannabidiol as part of your wellness routine, it’s highly likely that you’ve also heard of THC, otherwise known as tetrahydrocannabinol. These active compounds are both found in the cannabis plant but are very different to one another, and it’s important to understand both CBD and THC when making decisions about which CBD products to use.
In this guide, we’ll define each cannabinoid and explore their differences – CBD vs THC – as well as some of their similarities, legalities, and uses. This should help you understand each compound better and dispel some of the myths.
Remember, at The CBD Flower Shop we sell an incredible range of premium CBD products, including CBD tea flowers, edibles, CBD oils, and more. Take a look at our different ranges and buy online today.
What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is an active cannabinoid found and extracted from the cannabis plant. It’s become increasingly popular in recent years because it is non-psychoactive – it doesn’t make you feel ‘high’ – unlike THC, which is psychoactive. Instead, CBD interacts with your body in a way that’s reportedly calming, not intoxicating and offers a range of potential therapeutic benefits.
The part of your body that CBD works with is called the endocannabinoid system. This system is important because it helps keep your body balanced, aiding things like sleep, hunger, pain, and how your immune system works. When CBD interacts with this system, it may help keep everything running smoothly and in a balanced way, which is why some people choose to use CBD for medicinal purposes.
CBD is frequently used to help manage anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep disorders, and because it doesn’t make you feel high, it’s a good choice for getting relief. Another benefit is that CBD comes in many versatile forms, including oils, vapes, edibles, topicals and CBD tea flowers, meaning you can find a consumption method to meet your needs.
What is THC?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main cannabinoid in cannabis that gives you a high feeling. It works by acting on the brain’s CB1 receptors. This interaction can have various effects on your mental health. Some people might feel happy, while others might get confused or forget things for a while. Unlike CBD, another component in cannabis, THC changes the way you perceive things and your mood, which explains the different experiences people have when using cannabis.
The strength of these effects depends on the THC potency in the cannabis product you’re using. The higher the THC level, the stronger the effects could be. This could include increased anxiety or discomfort in some users. It’s important to know about THC so that you can make informed decisions and ensure that you are using legal products.
In the UK, CBD products must contain no more than 0.2% THC. This regulation ensures that CBD products derived from hemp do not have psychoactive effects.
Where do CBD and THC come from?
In simple terms, both CBD and THC come from the same family, the Cannabis sativa plant species, but they are found in different members of this family.
- CBD is mainly taken from the hemp plants which have very little THC, helpingensure that CBD products can stay within legal limits.
- THC is mostly found in marijuana plants. These plants have a lot more THC, which is why they can alter your mental state.
The legal status of these plants and their products can change from one country to another, and you should always check the law where you are.
What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
The main differences between CBD and THC are rooted in their unique properties. The chemical structures of these two substances and how they interact with your body give them their distinct features. The legal status and possible side effects of CBD and THC are also not the same, and the side effects you might experience from using CBD aren’t the same as those from THC.
Let’s explore the differences in more depth:
Psychoactive properties
When we talk about CBD and THC, these two substances behave differently. THC is known for making people feel ‘high’, but CBD doesn’t have this effect; it is non-psychoactive. This difference comes from the way these two interact with our brain’s cannabinoid receptors.
The powerful bond between THC and CB1 receptors in our brain leads to the feeling of being ‘high’, which can change how we perceive things and even our mood. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t hold on to these receptors as tightly, meaning it doesn’t cause the same ‘high’ feeling.
Chemical structure
Both CBD and THC have the same number of carbon atoms (21), hydrogen atoms (30), and oxygen atoms (2), but what makes them different is how these atoms are arranged, and this makes a big difference in how they affect our bodies.
CBD, for example, is usually found in the hemp plant, which is well-known for having lower levels of THC. On the other hand, THC is typically seen in types of the cannabis plant that have higher levels of this particular compound. Over the years, growers have been able to increase the THC in cannabis plants, while the CBD levels have gone down.
This crucial atomic arrangement is what determines the different routes that hemp-derived CBD products and THC products take, from their beginnings in the cannabis plant to their impacts on the people who use them. Understanding these distinct chemical structures is key to grasping why they’ve different effects.
How CBD and THC affect the body
CBD and THC are two key compounds that interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system and play different roles in our body’s everyday life. THC activates our brain’s pleasure centres, releasing a chemical called dopamine, and giving us a ‘high’ feeling. On the other hand, CBD is calmer and works behind the scenes.
These unique roles make THC and CBD different in their uses. The strong effects of THC are the reason why people feel ‘high’ when they use marijuana. On the contrary, CBD, being non-psychoactive, is linked to potential health benefits like easing stress and managing pain.
Legality of CBD vs THC
In the UK, CBD is legal if derived from industrial hemp that contains less than 0.2% THC, hence the availability of various CBD products in the market. THC, however, is classified as a Class B controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, making its possession and use illegal.
UK regulations stipulate that CBD products must contain less than 1mg of THC per container, regardless of size, to be legal. This stringent control reflects the UK’s approach to cannabis-related substances, focusing on ensuring public safety and compliance with the law.
Regarding drug tests, they typically screen for THC, not CBD, so if you’re consuming CBD products compliant with UK law, they should not affect drug test results due to their minimal THC content.
It’s important to be aware that laws surrounding CBD and THC vary worldwide and are subject to change, so you need to stay up-to-date with current laws wherever you are.
Potential side effects
CBD and THC have different potential side effects, and it’s important to be aware of both. Here is a comparison table:
| CBD Side Effects | THC Side Effects |
|---|
| Dry mouth | Dry mouth |
| Drowsiness | Increased heart rate |
| Reduced appetite | Memory impairment |
| Diarrhea | Dry, red eyes |
| Fatigue | Paranoia or anxiety |
| Changes in weight | Coordination issues |
| Nausea (in some cases) | Slowed reaction times |
| Increased appetite | Potential for dependency |
Whilst side effects from CBD are usually minor, it’s important for you to make a note of any adverse effects and to stop use if you don’t react well. You should also consult a healthcare professional before trying CBD for the first time as it could interact with medications.
Medical uses of CBD and THC
CBD and THC are unique compounds that have specific medical uses. Both are used to treat various health conditions, offering alternatives to conventional medications.
In the UK, CBD is gaining recognition for its potential medical uses, particularly for conditions where conventional treatments have been insufficient. While CBD is not officially prescribed as a medicinal product for a wide range of conditions, it is available over the counter as a supplement. However, specific CBD-based products have been approved for medical use in treating rare forms of severe epilepsy, including Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes.
Additionally, CBD is explored for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties, showing promise in managing symptoms related to:
- chronic pain
- anxiety
- some psychiatric disorders
The medical community in the UK continues to research CBD’s broader therapeutic potential, guided by evolving regulations and emerging clinical evidence.
THC also has recognised medical applications, albeit under strict regulations. It is primarily used in pharmaceutical formulations like Sativex, a mouth spray prescribed for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to alleviate neuropathic pain, overactive bladder, and other symptoms. Additionally, THC can be part of medically supervised treatments for certain patients with conditions such as severe epilepsy, where specific CBD products containing THC may be considered when other treatments have not been effective.
These uses underscore THC potential in the medical field, regulated to ensure safety and efficacy under the guidance of healthcare professionals within the UK’s legal framework.
Is CBD better for you than THC?
Whether CBD is better for you than THC depends on your specific health needs and the effects you’re seeking. CBD is non-psychoactive and widely used for its potential to relieve anxiety, pain, and inflammation without inducing a high, making it a preferred option for those seeking therapeutic benefits without psychoactive effects.
THC, on the other hand, is known for its psychoactive properties and may be used medically to alleviate symptoms like chronic pain and nausea, but it can also cause unwanted effects such as anxiety or paranoia in some individuals. Ultimately, the choice between CBD and THC should be based on personal health objectives, legal considerations, and potential side effects, in consultation with a healthcare provider.
What to know about CBD products in the UK
In the UK, it’s crucial to understand that CBD products are legal only if they contain less than 0.2% THC. This rule is set to maintain product legality and safeguard consumers.
When exploring the world of CBD products in the UK, it’s good to remember the following points:
- CBD products with less than 0.2% THC are legal in the UK. This sets them apart from controlled substances.
- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) labels CBD products as ‘novel foods’. This means they’ve to meet certain safety and labelling regulations.
- The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) doesn’t recognise CBD products as medicines.
- The UK government is working hard to create better regulations for CBD products. This will boost consumer protection and improve product quality.
- For your safety, buy from trusted sellers who provide proof of third-party lab testing. This will confirm the THC content and purity of the product.
Staying informed and choosing reputable retailers is essential in finding CBD products that meet your needs and are safe to use. As well as looking for third-party lab testing, try to find customer reviews, and speak to a retailer about how they source their products.
Shop our high quality CBD range
At The CBD Flower Shop we have spent years ensuring we offer a high quality range of hemp-derived CBD products, available in a fantastic choice of consumption methods to suit your needs. We have an impressive selection of CBD tea flowers, meaning you can enjoy your dose as a hot drink, delicious CBD edibles, CBD vapes, CBD concentrates, and more.
Our team is on hand to help you and answer any questions you may have about our products. Get in touch with us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know, as we may be able to source it for you.
CBD vs THC FAQ
CBD and marijuana are not the same thing. They’re both part of the same cannabis sativa plant family, but are very different.
CBD is taken from hemp plants and doesn’t give you that high feeling. Instead, it has potential therapeutic qualities that can help with health issues. Marijuana, also known as weed, is a mixture of dried flowers from the cannabis sativa plant that are often smoked and contain high levels of THC, which makes users feel high.
So, while they come from the same place, CBD and marijuana are not the same. They serve different purposes and have different effects on the body and legal implications.
Yes, CBD can be very effective without THC. CBD possesses its own therapeutic properties, including stress relief, pain reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects, which can be experienced without the presence of THC. Many users prefer CBD products without THC to avoid the psychoactive effects while still gaining potential health benefits.
No, CBD does not cancel out THC but can modulate its effects. CBD may reduce some of THC’s psychoactive effects, such as anxiety and paranoia, by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, but CBD does not eliminate the psychoactive impact of THC.