Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids, but THC and CBD are the most studied. Each has its own effects, uses, and risks. Knowing how they differ can help you decide which is more suitable.
How THC and CBD Work in the Body
THC, short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the part of cannabis that causes a high. It binds to CB1 receptors found mostly in the brain. This connection affects mood, thinking, pain, and memory.
CBD, or cannabidiol, does not cause a high. It doesn’t bind strongly to CB1 receptors. Instead, it helps the body maintain balance by supporting its endocannabinoid system indirectly.
Psychoactive Effects and Mental Response
The high from THC comes from the way it interacts directly with the brain. This can cause short-lived effects like euphoria or relaxation. It can also lead to anxiety or dizziness in some people.
CBD does not impact your thinking the same way. Many people use it to feel calmer without feeling mentally altered. Some studies show that CBD may lessen the unwanted mental effects linked to THC, like paranoia or confusion.
Real-World Use: What the Numbers Show
In 2021, about 52.5 million people in the United States said they had used cannabis at least once that year. That’s around 19% of the population. Among them, many started young. People who begin using cannabis before the age of 18 are more at risk of developing problems like cannabis use disorder. This affects about 3 in 10 cannabis users.
Cannabis sold in recent years also contains more THC than before. In 1995, the average THC content was 3.96%. By 2022, it had risen to 16.14%. During the same time, the amount of CBD found in tested cannabis samples decreased from 0.28% to 0.12%.
Common Forms of Use: Oils, Edibles, and Topicals
Both THC and CBD are found in a range of products that vary in how they are absorbed and how long they last. Oils and tinctures are used under the tongue for quicker effects. Edibles like gummies and capsules take longer to work, as they must be digested first.
Topicals such as lotions, balms, and cbd roll on‘s are often used for joint pain or sore muscles. These apply directly to the skin and do not enter the bloodstream, so they typically don’t have any mental effects. Other forms include patches, inhalers, and even nasal sprays.
Use in Health and Treatment
People often turn to THC and CBD for relief from symptoms. Pain: Both compounds can help reduce pain. THC may work faster due to how it binds in the brain. CBD’s effect builds over time. Some studies suggest that combining the two provides better pain control.
- Seizures: CBD has shown strong results in reducing seizures, especially in treatment-resistant cases. There is an FDA-approved medicine made with purified CBD for childhood epilepsy.
- Sleep and Anxiety: THC can help people fall asleep but may affect memory. CBD may promote sleep by lowering anxiety. People often take it during the day to help manage daily stress while staying alert.
- Nausea: Both are used to ease nausea, especially in people receiving chemotherapy.
Safety Concerns and Mental Health Risks
THC can cause temporary feelings of happiness and calm. In some people, especially teens, it can trigger or worsen issues like anxiety and even psychosis. Long-term heavy use has been tied to higher chances of developing mental health disorders.
CBD tends to be better tolerated. Even at high doses, most side effects are mild. However, the lack of strict product testing means mislabeled items are a serious issue. One study found that nearly 70% of CBD products bought online had inaccurate labels. About 21% of them contained THC, sometimes enough to cause unexpected effects.
Changes in the Market
In 2019, the CBD market in the United States grew by 706%. It is expected to reach over $24 billion by 2024. People use CBD mainly for pain, anxiety, and sleep. About 14% of American adults reported using CBD that year. Most of them were over 40 and used it daily. Forty percent used it for pain, 20% for anxiety, and 11% to sleep better.
Some people even buy CBD for their pets. It’s often used to help pets with stress or arthritis. Sales of pet CBD products could reach $1.7 billion in the coming years.
Legal Facts You Should Know
CBD products made from hemp that contain less than 0.3% THC are legal under federal law. However, some states still ban them. Products made from marijuana, even if they contain CBD, are still illegal at the federal level, though some states allow them.
THC is still treated as a controlled substance federally, even in states that permit its sale. Because laws vary so much, buying or using these products without checking state rules could lead to trouble.
What Drug Tests Show
THC stays in the body longer than CBD because it is stored in fat. This means that someone could test positive for THC even if they haven’t used it recently. CBD usually does not show up on most standard drug tests, but some CBD products do contain trace amounts of THC, which might result in a positive test.
The Changing Potency of Cannabis
Strains today are often grown to increase THC levels. This makes some products much stronger than in earlier years. At the same time, CBD-rich strains are also being grown, though they are less common. Many growers and companies now focus on creating products with a specific balance of THC and CBD based on how they are intended to be used.
Looking into the Future
More research is underway to explore how CBD and THC can be used in medicine. Scientists are developing treatments for conditions like schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and inflammation-based diseases. Some companies are also working on new ways to produce cannabinoids using yeast to lower production costs.
Final Thoughts
THC and CBD are two different parts of the same plant, but they affect the body in very different ways. THC changes how you feel mentally, which can help some people and hurt others. CBD doesn’t cause a high but can help reduce anxiety, pain, or seizures. Each compound has its place, and how you choose to use them
depends on your needs. Always read product labels and pay close attention to what you’re buying.
Knowing what these compounds do, where they are legal, and how they work can help you make better choices when using cannabis-related products.
