The cannabis plant contains several compounds that are useful for different uses. However, two of the most common compounds that make it famous as a recreational drug are the cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These two have similar yet varying degrees of impact on the human body, notably due to the levels of therapeutic and intoxicating effects. Knowing how CBD is different or similar to THC will give you a better understanding of which product you’ll prefer as a buyer, grower or seller.
Understanding cannabinoid receptors
The body processes CBD and THC cannabinoids through the aptly named cannabinoid receptors. Since cannabinoids are produced naturally in the body, these receptors are familiar with responding to CBD and THC compounds’ similar shape and function. Both CBD and THC stimulate CB1 receptors that correspond to the brain and central nervous system. This is why a person ingesting these products can feel a therapeutic sensation or intoxicating effect, depending on the potency of the product they’re using.
Separating the split between hemp and marijuana cannabis plants
Cannabis plants have two distinct categories of strains: hemp and marijuana. Hemp contains noticeably lower levels of THC just under 0.2%, while marijuana strains have THC content above that mark. To differentiate the two’s viability as a recreational or medicinal product, THC is extracted mainly from marijuana due to its higher THC content. On the other hand, CBD is derived from hemp by minimising the little THC content it has.
Differentiating CBD and THC products
CBD is a harmless and non-intoxicating compound that comes from a cannabis plant. It’s primarily marketed as CBD oil, but also comes in other forms like edibles, pills and cream. CBD has several uses as a medicinal ingredient, treating epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, ongoing studies correlate CBD’s effectiveness in treating anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurological conditions.
On the other hand, THC delivers an intoxicating effect to the user, which can be used for recreational or medicinal use. Some of its medical benefits include treatment for chronic pain, glaucoma and nausea. Unlike CBD, THC isn’t a prescribed form of treatment for health conditions in the UK. There’s a synthetic alternative called Nabione, which is the standard in UK hospitals.
Although both CBD and THC are psychoactive compounds, THC induces an intoxicating effect while CBD does not. Just because CBD comes from a cannabis plant doesn’t automatically make it an agonist for the CB1 receptors. Instead, it’s an agonist that does not bond to the same receptors that THC does to induce a feeling of getting high.
Watching out for potential legal concerns
THC is considered an illegal product in terms of UK law, unlike CBD and other cannabinoid variants. This is because marijuana and hemp as a base material have various uses beyond recreational use, making them essential for medical purposes and even paper productions. THC products’ high intoxicating content makes it illegal in the UK to grow, own, and sell.
Keep in mind that CBD products can also be illegal if they’re derived from marijuana. This ruling still applies even if the THC compounds are removed because it can implicate a person from illegally owning marijuana. Unless a person has an active medical license for growing cannabis in a professional setting, it’s considered an illegal act. It’s important to know about these legal concerns if you want to purchase from a seller or grow your own garden.
Conclusion
It’s best to know where you’re sourcing your CBD products so that you will have the proper expectations of its effects on your body. For this reason, you should only purchase CBD products from reliable vendors that can give you quality products for your personal needs.
At Coffee Shop Seeds, we know our clients’ needs for privacy and professionals service. This is why we offer discreet shipping and secure payments to all our customers. If you’re looking for marijuana or hemp seeds in the UK, order from our wide selection of cannabis strains today!