CBD vs. THC: Demystifying the Key Differences

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most famous phytocannabinoids produced by cannabis plants, but they’re hardly the only ones. According to the National Library of Medicine, more than 120 unique phytocannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis. 

When consumed by eating an edible or smoking a joint, these unique compounds interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system through specific cannabinoid receptors, much like a lock and key. Once a cannabinoid locks into a receptor, it sends a signal, and we often feel the effects. In fact, the first endocannabinoid discovered is called anandamide, after the Sanskrit word for bliss.

The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating many processes within the body, including pain modulation, appetite stimulation, and anti-inflammatory responses. All mammals have endocannabinoid systems that function like a complex highway moving chemical signals to receptors throughout our brains and bodies. That’s why it’s important to keep cannabis products secure and away from pets like dogs and cats, who may have an adverse reaction to cannabinoids like THC.

What is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol. It is the second most prevalent compound in cannabis flower and most famous for its potential in medical applications. CBD is often produced at scale by hemp plants (a close cousin of marijuana) and manufactured in laboratories to make CBD products. 

In lab settings, it’s used in FDA-approved prescription drugs like Epidiolex to treat seizures associated with Dravet syndrome (severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (severe childhood-onset epilepsy), and the effects of tuberous sclerosis (rare genetic disease) in adults and children one year of age and older.

According to Harvard Medical School instructor and primary care physician Peter Grinspoon, MD, “CBD does not cause a high by itself,” but studies and reports suggest it may help with anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, inflammation, arthritis, and addiction. The lack of an overt psychoactive effect is the biggest noticeable difference between CBD and THC for most consumers. In fact, studies have shown CBD may mitigate the psychoactive or intoxicating effects of THC. 

What is THC?

THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the most prevalent compound in cannabis flower and largely responsible for the “high” or psychoactive effects consumers experience. The biggest difference between CBD and THC is their psychoactive effects. Many cannabis consumers seek high-THC strains.

Blueberry Muffin cannabis strain with 20-28 % THC.

While THC is most often associated with recreational use, it’s also used in therapeutic applications. Two FDA-approved medications, Marinol and Sundros, include a synthetic or manufactured form of THC to help treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and loss of appetite in patients with AIDS.

How Do CBD and THC Work?

CBD and THC interact with the human body through CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout the endocannabinoid system. This complex network of receptors is located across the entire human body, with heavy concentrations in the brain and gut. The receptors are believed to help regulate many physiological processes, including sleep, mood, pain, and appetite. 

THC mostly binds to CB1 receptors, which are primarily located in the brain and central nervous system. THC’s ability to easily bind with receptors located in the brain is what allows for the high or psychoactive effects associated with marijuana. When THC molecules interact with these receptors, they can influence pain sensation, memory, mood, and other cognitive functions.

CBD does not bind directly but influences CB1 and CB2 receptors, mostly located throughout the immune system. CBD also influences other receptors in the body, including serotonin receptors, to help regulate mood. CBD also can alter the effects of THC by inhibiting its ability to bind to CB1 receptors.

When consumed with the full spectrum of cannabinoids and active ingredients found in cannabis flower, compounds like CBD and THC work synergistically and enhance each other’s effect in a process known as the “entourage effect.” 

CBD vs. THC: Effects and Benefits

CBD effects

CBD is considered a mostly non-intoxicating cannabinoid with many known benefits and potential therapeutic applications. According to medical professionals, it’s emerging as a promising treatment for pain, inflammation, seizures, and anxiety. As a result, it’s become a popular choice for individuals seeking some of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects.

Studies have shown CBD may reduce anxiety by interacting with serotonin (5-HT) receptors. An animal study published in the European Journal of Pain indicates CBD applied to the skin could help reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. As a sleep aid, CBD oil has shown promise in treating some sleep disorders like insomnia and restless leg syndrome by easing anxiety and pain—two factors that make it difficult to fall asleep.

CBD has also been shown to counteract some of the psychoactive effects associated with THC by interfering with THC’s ability to bind with CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system. Other side effects may include fatigue, nausea, and irritability. Anyone taking blood thinners should be aware that CBD can increase the level of blood thinning.

THC effects

THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive effects or high associated with cannabis and marijuana use. In therapeutic settings, THC is used for chronic pain relief, nausea relief, appetite stimulation, and reducing spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. In recreational settings, many customers seek products with the highest levels of THC available to maximize the effects.

Possible side effects of THC overconsumption can include impaired cognition, affecting memory, concentration, and coordination. This is an important factor to understand when planning to operate machinery or drive a vehicle. Other undesirable side effects can include dry mouth, drowsiness, increased heart rate, anxiety, and paranoia.

CBD and THC: A Comparison Chart

Choosing the Right Cannabinoid for You

Factors to consider

It’s important to consider your desired outcomes and take an honest assessment of your personal tolerance levels when choosing the right cannabinoid. If you reside in a state with cannabis regulations, you can speak with your local budtender or cultivation expert to help identify the best product for your needs.

People seeking therapeutic benefits without overt psychoactive effects may find strains and products rich in CBD the preferred choice. On the other hand, most recreational shoppers are looking for strains and products with a high amount of THC. Regardless of your decision to try a product dominant in CBD, THC, or both, it’s always a good idea to “start low and go slow.” The effects of cannabinoids like CBD and THC are much stronger for inexperienced consumers who haven’t built a tolerance to cannabis.

When seeking medicinal relief, it’s always recommended to consult with an experienced and trusted healthcare professional who’s been trained in cannabis therapies. 

What strains have the most CBD?

The expansion of recreational cannabis has incentivized breeders across the country to optimize for more THC content at the expense of CBD. As a result, strains high in CBD are becoming more difficult to find in retail settings. 

However, some breeders still focus on creating CBD-dominant or high-CBD strains Generally speaking, a strain listed at 10-15% CBD would be considered a high-CBD strain. 

Most cannabis strains produce about four percent CBD. Anything below five percent is considered a low-CBD strain. A more balanced strain would list CBD content between five and ten percent. A high-CBD strain is anything with a CBD content between 10 and 15 percent.

Popular high-CBD strains include Charlotte’s Web, Harlequin, Cannatonic, ACDC, Sour Tsunami, and Harle-Tsu. Newer varieties like Honey-Tsu, Harle-Spice, and Love Lucy are high-CBD and low-THC strains, many of which can finish between eight and ten weeks.

Conclusion

THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the high associated with marijuana, while CBD is the mostly non-intoxicating cannabinoid most associated with medical applications. However, most strains you’ll come across in a dispensary have CBD and THC in varying ratios. 

To find which cannabinoid is the best for your needs, shop for strains with higher levels of CBD or higher levels of THC to compare the results. Many dispensaries sell cannabis strains in smaller one-gram amounts, providing an affordable way to sample new strains and determine what works the best for treating a specific condition or simply what’s the most enjoyable.