What Is The Difference Between THC vs CBD?

3 Items To Think About 

1. If you use CBD flower, there’s a large chance of THC being present in small amounts. Not enough to produce a psychoactive effect but enough to trigger a “positive” on a drug screening.

2. There are many CBD products that use the federal legal amount of THC to help bolster the effect of CBD. In these cases THC will show up in drug testing as well so be aware of the THC level if you are concerned about testing.

3. If you are concerned about being tested, it’s best to use a product that ONLY contains CBD or something like a non-transdermal topical cream. It’s the best method to avoid unsavory results if you encounter a drug screening situation.

What’s THC And CBD And Their Differences

      Since 2020 THC and CBD have been buzz topics all over the world. You can find CBD-based products in your local vape store, gas station, mall, or local pharmacy. Some wonder though, “What is THC and CBD and the difference between them?”These two chemicals are the most prominent cannabinoids found in both hemp and marijuana.

What Are Cannabinoids

     Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis Sativa plant. With over 480 different compounds found in the plant, only around 66 are termed cannabinoids. While they are found in both plants, Marijuana has a higher percentage of THC, and hemp has a higher percentage of CBD. These two cannabinoids are so similar, that they even have the same chemical makeup.

      The only difference is their chemical arrangement. THC and CBD both work by binding themselves to neurotransmitters in the brain. By doing so, this is how they affect things like mood, sleep, pain, and even in some cases memory.

      The big driving difference between these two cannabinoids is something called the psychoactive effect. The psychoactive effect is the stimulation or depression of one’s central nervous system resulting in hallucinations, and or a significant disturbance/change to motor function, thinking, behavior, perception, or mood. This effect is what creates the sensation of being “high” when smoking THC, and it’s why products that contain more than .3% THC are illegal.

       CBD does have many of the same health benefits as THC but does not create the psychoactive effect. This makes it a great resource for those pain sufferers looking for relief without the “high” feeling and concern of testing positive during a drug screening.

     THC and CBD both have an effect on the Endocannabinoid system (ECS). Researchers are still trying to understand the depth and inner workings of the ECS, but they do know it’s one of the most important systems in the human body. It exists all throughout the body and is known to affect the central nervous system’s development. Its receptors are found in the brain, various organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. 

How CBD Can Help You

CBD can be used to treat a wide array of conditions including reproductive health and fertility with no known side effects. The CDC claims that in all tested patients there were no signs of toxic or negative side effects, while the psychoactive element of THC can create a negative effect in some people such as anxiety.

Drug Testing       

Another big question concerning the two is drug testing. Although some states or entities have started to drop the element of drug testing, especially for THC ( see our article about decriminalization vs legalization of weed HERE ), it is something to still be aware of. THC will always show up on tests that screen for the chemical, but when it comes to CBD that answer is a little harder to predict. It greatly depends on the type of CBD product you use.

 Conclusion

We hope this clears up some questions about the difference between THC and CBD. Cannabis legislation is a hot topic and looks to be always up for debate in state and federal legislation. In return, the topic of drug testing and if they play into one’s life is not set in stone just yet. How deep researchers will be able to go to understanding CBD and THC’s effect on the ECS will allow us to understand all the positive effects on the body’s way to heal and maintain itself.

Here at Third Eye Wellness, we will keep this blog up to date as more information becomes available. If you have any questions please ask them in the comment section below and we will respond promptly!