Licensed Cannabis Medical and Recreational Dispensaries

Health-conscious consumers looking to try cannabis for its medicinal or therapeutic properties find themselves met with a cannabis conundrum; CBD vs. THC — what’s the difference? And which cannabis compound is right for me?

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The answers can vary from person to person and will depend on your particular health situation, wellness goals, and personal preferences. Let’s look at the potential medical benefits of the two most well-known cannabis compounds, and decide what is more effective — THC or CBD.

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When visiting most dispensaries, you’ll notice the products fall into two main categories: THC or CBD. Both of these are compounds found in the cannabis plant, and each hosts different effects - though there are some overlapping benefits. Additional compounds found in cannabis (other cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.) have therapeutic properties. Here, we’re focusing on the <a href="https://zenleafdispensaries.com/blog/why-medical-card/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medical benefits</a> of CBD vs. those of THC.

THC gets the user “high” while CBD provides the <a href="https://zenleafdispensaries.com/medical-marijuana-for-veterans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">therapeutic benefits of cannabis</a> without its intoxicant properties. Some are surprised to learn that, chemically speaking, THC and CBD are the same thing. Each compound is made of two oxygen atoms, plus 21 atoms of carbon and 30 of hydrogen. All are pretty common elements.

The scientific difference between THC and CBD is not found in the chemical makeup itself, but in the particular atomic arrangement of those chemicals. The different “shape” of each compound allows it to interact with the body in different ways, binding to different types of neurotransmitters and receptors and, in turn, enacting their particular effects on everything from mood, memory, and sleep patterns to inflammation and muscle tension. Because of their chemical similarity, there is a great deal of overlap in the conditions that can be treated by THC and CBD.

As a few examples, both compounds can have an effect on:

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The differences in the ways THC and CBD treat these conditions are sometimes subtle and can be impacted by the presence of other cannabis-derived compounds like terpenes and other <a href="https://zenleafdispensaries.com/blog/what-are-cannabinoids-what-do-they-do/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cannabinoids</a>. Experimentation may be required to find a cannabis product with the exact sort of therapeutic properties you’re seeking.

The source of the compound is another difference between THC and CBD products. THC products are derived from the potent bud (flower) of cannabis plants specifically cultivated for their psychoactive properties. CBD, on the other hand, can be extracted from non-psychoactive cannabis plant material, referred to as hemp.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is known for producing the quintessential “high” that is experienced when smoking or otherwise consuming cannabis. This psychoactive sensation is widely celebrated among recreational marijuana consumers, but science has demonstrated that THC also has a great deal of medicinal potential.

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CBD (cannabidiol) does not have THC’s psychoactive properties. This has made CBD products popular among consumers who want to explore the medical benefits of cannabis while remaining clear-headed. There is some argument as to whether CBD can truly be called “non-psychoactive” (its applications treating anxiety and related disorders would seem to indicate otherwise) but it lacks that signature, heady “marijuana high” that you get from consuming cannabis products with high THC levels.

This effect is likely to be increased by eliminating THC and its “munchies” side effect from the equation. (Although the munchies themselves could be considered a therapeutic benefit of THC, rather than an unwanted side effect, for those struggling with their appetite due to, for example, chemotherapy.)

Research has suggested that the complex interaction between THC, CBD, and the other cannabinoids and terpenes present in cannabis creates a much higher therapeutic potential than taking any of these compounds alone. This principle has come to be known as “the entourage effect” and it is the topic of ongoing research.

A 2011 <a href="https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology</a> concluded that consuming phytocannabinoids (like CBD and THC) together with other compounds naturally found in cannabis (in this case, terpenes) can be highly effective in treating a variety of conditions such as pain, anxiety, inflammation, and even types of cancer and fungal infections.

CBD can also help mitigate some of the effects of THC use that medical users may find unpleasant. Studies in both humans and animals suggest that CBD may help reduce side effects of THC use such as paranoid feelings, hunger, and sedation.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of the entourage effect and want to try medicinal cannabis with both THC and CBD present, you’ll want to experiment with the ratio of the two to find the products that work best for your situation. Cannabis has a different effect on every user, and every user’s end goals or therapeutic needs are different, so there is really no magic number to start with when deciding what ratio of THC to CBD will work best.

For example, someone undergoing treatment for a serious medical condition might use cannabis daily to combat nausea and loss of appetite. This patient’s ideal ratio of CBD to THC might be very different from that of a laborer who consumes cannabis after work a few times per week for its stress relief and muscle relaxant properties. The correct dosage and ratio are highly personalized from user to user, and the best way to find them is to start small and experiment gradually or to seek advice from an experienced cannabis professional.

There are very few serious side effects when using CBD or THC, whether separately or in conjunction with one another, and neither are considered addictive.

CBD, in fact, has no side effects at all that would be considered broadly negative. <a href="https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">The World Health Organization has called CBD safe in large quantities</a>, with the only known side effects being potential interactions with other medications. (Definitely ask your doctor before beginning any therapy with CBD or THC!)

THC use, on the other hand, has several known side effects, but they’re all fairly short-term and innocuous:

General “fogginess” and memory loss are probably the most commonly cited annoyances for THC users, but other cannabinoids (specifically certain terpenes and flavonoids) actually have neuroprotective properties (i.e., they’re good for your brain health). It’s therefore unclear whether the overall net effect of long-term cannabis use on the average user’s brain is negative or positive.

It’s important to be aware that other, more serious mental side effects may be possible in teens and young adults, who should never use any sort of cannabis products for medical treatment without the supervision of a doctor or other qualified health professional. It has been hypothesized that this is because THC has the potential to create more permanent psychiatric changes when applied to a brain that is not yet fully developed.

With THC and CBD both having therapeutic qualities — and many of them being shared or similar — it can be difficult to choose which one is best for your particular ailment or health goals. Emerging data about the potential of the entourage effect also has many users looking for products that contain complex combinations of the two, along with other cannabinoids.

If you’re considering using any type of cannabis for medicinal purposes, a good first step is to speak to your doctor or contact a trusted professional in the medical cannabis industry for additional guidance.

In addition to deciding between CBD and THC products, you’ll also have to decide how you want to consume them, and there is no shortage of options these days. This, too, will depend on your personal preferences and various health factors. The following are the most common methods for consumption:

Visit our <a href="https://zenleafdispensaries.com/learn/administration-methods/">Cannabis Administration Methods Guide</a> to learn more about dosing.

Looking for More Information on Cannabis?

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THC vs. CBD: Choosing the Right Cannabis Product for Your Health

THC vs. CBD: Choosing the Right Cannabis Product for Your Health

Danyal Swan

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