Cannabinoids 101: The Difference Between THC & CBD
Are you curious about the difference between CBD and THC? They’re both popular cannabinoids, but they’re unique in a number of ways. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) can both be used independently, but combining CBD and THC together is where the magic truly happens.
Read on to discover the unique differences between the two most famous cannabis compounds, as well as information on how they synergize.
THC: Classic Marijuana Effects
THC is what gets you high. Although other cannabinoids can strengthen the effects of THC, you wouldn’t be buzzing without it. THC stimulates the endocannabinoid system, causing it to release organic chemicals called endorphins throughout the body and brain that cause feelings of euphoria and happiness — dopamine and serotonin are big ones. That’s the biggest difference between CBD and THC. Without THC, cannabis wouldn’t do what it does best.
CBD: Subtle Yet Powerful
CBD is like THC’s younger sibling. While it won’t typically make you giggle uncontrollably, eat everything in the fridge, or make you ponder deep space, it does provide some unique benefits. On its own, CBD is frequently used to alleviate anxiety, relieve pain, and simply relax the user. However, the true glory of CBD really shines when you combine it with THC.
THC and CBD: Best Friends
The fear. While plenty of cannabis enthusiasts never experience it, there are plenty of folks who do. One main difference between CBD and THC is that the THC experience is clearly more intense than CBD — for better or worse.
Everyone’s body chemistry is different, and some people just don’t respond well to THC on its own. Often, those negative feelings occur when someone takes too big of a dose, but some people just aren’t wired for weed, and that’s okay.
Fortunately, blending CBD and THC together is a fantastic way to stop those negative feelings in their tracks. They work in harmony together, and CBD can really take the edge off. Marijuana strains that are high in CBD tend to be more relaxing, and that’s not a coincidence. As you learn about the difference between CBD and THC, it’s also important to understand their similarities.
The Entourage Effect
THC and CBD are both cannabinoids, but they’re not the only ones. There are over 100, but you don’t hear about the others as much. The cannabis plant is full of various compounds, including terpenes that are also found in other plants (and some insects) throughout nature. Terpenes are responsible for unique cannabis plant aromas, but that’s not all.
When cannabinoids and terpenes combine, the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts. That’s why different marijuana strains do different things. For example, a strain rich in the terpene linalool will typically be more sedating, while a strain with a lot of pinene would be more energetic. The difference between CBD and THC is more subtle than the difference between THC or CBD and terpenes, but the general principle is the same.
When you combine CBD and THC, they harmonize like The Beach Boys on a good day. These symbiotic cannabinoids each tickle different parts of the endocannabinoid system, so your body and mind get flooded with more endorphins than you would with just one or the other. While THC remains the star of the show, CBD is working behind the scenes to make sure everything is running smoothly.
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