The Main Difference Between CBD and THC

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are both compounds that come from the ancient medicinal plant Cannabis sativa and can be found in cannabis oil. THC is the compound in cannabis that produces intoxicating effects, while CBD is the major non-intoxicating component in the plant species.

Chemical Structure

The chemical composition of CBD and THC are exactly the same, with both containing 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. The major difference between the structure of these compounds is the arrangement of a single atom. Considering that an atom is a very, very tiny particle, this small difference in chemical structure makes a huge impact when it comes to the effects of these compounds.

Psychoactive Effects

Here’s the major difference between THC and CBD: THC has what can be called “unwanted” psychoactive effects that give you that high, euphoric feeling, while CBD has non-intoxicating effects. So while THC contributes the most to this affect among all cannabinoids, research shows that CBD has anti-anxiety properties and a protective affect against some negative psychological reactions caused by THC.

It’s important to note that CBD is often referred to as “non-psychoactive,” but it turns out that this is a misrepresentation of the cannabinoid. CBD is actually very psychoactive. What does this mean? By definition, a psychoactive compound affects the mind and behavior. This means that it has the ability to change brain function and can alter your mood, consciousness, perception, cognition and behavior. Medications that are prescribed to treat depression, neuropsychiatric disorders and anxiety are all considered psychoactive.

Because CBD works on the central nervous system, both directly and indirectly, it can be used to treat or improve a myriad of psychiatric and neurological conditions, including anxiety, autism and epilepsy. So yes, CBD is psychoactive, which is what makes it so beneficial for such a range of conditions. In fact, all cannabinoids are psychoactive, in different ways and to different degrees.

Both CBD and THC are psychoactive, as they both affect the mind, but there is one major difference in the way they make you feel — unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating. Using THC may alter your senses and increase your hunger. It may even make you feel paranoid or out of control, depending on the way your body reacts to the cannabinoid. With CBD, you will not experience noticeable changes to your cognitive function, which is what makes it more appealing to so many people.

Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System

When scientists started studying the beneficial effects of cannabis, specifically those of THC, they discovered a biochemical communication system in the body — now called the endocannabinoid system. We are just beginning to understand this body system and already it’s believed to be one of the most important physiological systems involved in maintaining our health. It plays a role in maintaining homeostasis, ensuring that the body has a stable and well-functioning internal environment.

The system is made up of endocannabinoid receptors that respond to cannabinoid compounds the body makes on its own, and also those found in the cannabis plant species and a number of other plants. These receptors are found throughout the brain and body. Of the 100+ cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis species, CBD and THC have been studied the most extensively for their effects on the endocannabinoid system.

Researchers have identified two major types of cannabinoid receptors — CB1 and CB2. Plus, additional receptors for cannabinoids are being explored extensively. Receptors respond to environmental stimuli, like chemical messengers, and produce an effect within our cells. CB1 receptors are found in the brain and central nervous system, and CB2 receptors are found in our immune cells. In fact, recent discoveries suggest that more than half of all the receptors in the brain are cannabinoid receptors!

We have what’s called “endogenous cannabinoids,” which are neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, that bind to cannabinoid receptors. But compounds found in cannabis, like THC, also bind to cannabinoid receptors, mimicking the effects of messengers found within the human body. Receptors react to cannabis compounds and produce a specific effect, which can benefit many body parts and bodily processes.

We know that THC works as a chemical messenger, but the role of CBD is a little less clear. CBD works on the central nervous system, and it modulates several non-cannabinoid receptors, including serotonin and TRPV1, which can influence pain perception. It also may activate receptors associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to this, CBD is believed to reduce CB1’s ability to bind with THC, thereby weakening its intoxicating effects.

So what happens when the endocannabinoid system becomes underactive or overactive? The body will begin to malfunction and can no longer remain in a homeostatic state. This is being referred to as “endocannabinoid system dysfunction,” and it may lead to health problems like chronic pain, fatigue, inflammation, arthritis, autoimmune disease and mood disorders.

Just like any other body system, endocannabinoid system dysfunction can be the result of dietary choices, lifestyle factors and other issues. This is how using CBD and other compounds found in cannabis can be extremely therapeutic.

CBD vs. THC: How the Health Benefits Compare

CBD and THC provide many of the same health benefits. Both work to reduce inflammation, fight pain, relieve nausea and may fight cancer. However, many people choose to use CBD and avoid THC because they prefer not to feel any intoxicating effects. This THC drawback explains why CBD is gaining popularity among consumers who are looking to take advantage of the medicinal properties of cannabis, without feeling high for it.

Here’s an easy breakdown of the health benefits associated with each compound:

CBD Benefits

• Relieves pain
• Reduces inflammation
• Improves mood
• Indirectly improves depression
• Improves anxiety, stress and PTSD
• Relieves nausea
• Relieves headaches and migraines
• Reduces seizures
• May work as anti-cancer agent and reduce tumor growth
• Does not produce intoxicating effects

THC Benefits

• Relieves pain
• Reduces inflammation
• Relaxes nervous system
• Reduces spasms
• Relieves nausea
• Relieves headaches and migraines
• Fights depression
• Increases appetite
• Fights insomnia
• May work as anti-cancer agent and reduce tumor growth
• Can have euphoric  and intoxicating effects

Research shows that CBD has a better safety profile than other cannabinoids, including THC. Higher doses seem to be well tolerated in humans and animals. However, both THC and CBD may alter your blood pressure, heart rate and psychological function. THC may impair your psychomotor function, and CBD can affect your body temperature.

Are THC-Free CBD Products Safer?

THC-free CBD products are often deemed safer and just as effective as those containing CBD with trace amounts of THC. But as more research is conducted, we are finding out that the two compounds actually have what’s called “synergistic effects,” which means that when they are used in combination, it increases their therapeutic potential.

The beneficial properties of THC is often down-played because of the compound’s controversial intoxicating effects. This, combined with the misrepresentation of CBD as a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, tends to make people believe that THC is somehow dangerous. This notion has been troublesome for the advancement of whole plant cannabis use in medicine and it promotes the “othering” of THC.

There is actually a great pool of evidence from preclinical and clinical studies that cannabinoids, especially when used in combination, have therapeutic potential in many medical fields. And when trace amounts of THC are used in CBD products, the benefits are likely greater.

A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Plant Science, for example, states that “the cause for cannabis synergy via the “entourage effect” is currently sufficiently strong as to suggest that one molecule is unlikely to match the therapeutic and even industrial potential of cannabis itself as a phytochemical factory.”

These findings indicate that CBD isolates with no THC may not be as effective as full-spectrum products that contain high amounts of CBD and trace amounts of THC. These very small amounts of THC will not leave you feeling “high” or intoxicated, but will work with CBD and other cannabinoid compounds in the product to have greater beneficial effects.