Ever wondered why you can take CBD without getting high, but one edible makes you trip out? This is why.
Those who have been paying attention to the exponential growth of CBD products in the last four years or so, probably want to know more about it. If you are a weed smoker or user and you took CBD expecting to get high, then you may even have been disappointed with the process. CBD is not psychoactive; it would have left you wanting more.
However, on the other hand we have THC. It is this yummy compound that gives us the heady feeling of ‘being stoned’ whenever we use marijuana. Today, we want to talk about the difference between THC and CBD, and specifically look at why one of them gets us high and the other doesn’t.
What’s THC?
THC is the psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. There are more than 140 cannabis compounds known as cannabinoids. Some of them have a mental effect, others have a physical effect, some are there for the taste and others affect the smell. THC makes us high and has a number of other health benefits. It is short for Tetra hydra cannabidiol.
THC has several health benefits. It is said to relieve pain, to help with inflammation, and to prevent insomnia. It can also be used to treat mental health problems and diseases such as MS and Crohn’s Disease.[1]
What’s CBD?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol and is another compound found in the cannabis plant. This compound has seen international interest recently as more and more people open up to the benefits of using cannabis. You see, CBD lets you get the health benefits for ma cannabis plant, without necessarily getting you high.
There are two types of CBD. You can have a full spectrum oil, or a CBD only oil. The full spectrum may contain traces of THC, but it will be less than the allowed percentage in your country. For example, CBD products in the UK must contain less than 0.2% THC.
When you smoke cannabis or eat it, you are using both CBD and THC. If you want to do this, you can buy marijuana online if you live somewhere like Canada, where it is legal.
4 Reasons THC Makes you High but CBD Doesn’t
Lastly, let’s name those four reasons why THC makes you high, but CBD doesn’t.
1 – THC acts on the CB1 receptors of your brain
The CB1 receptors in your brain affect the endocannabinoid system in your body in a way that makes you feel intoxicated. CBD doesn’t interact this way. This control is what makes THC have a different effect on each individual, since we all have different endocannabinoid systems. As well as intoxication, this brings a feeling of euphoria which can be addictive.
2 – CBD Doesn’t Trigger Intoxication
Although it is a bit of a misnomer to say that CBD is totally non psychoactive (it has anti-seizure properties), it is true to say that it doesn’t affect the CB receptors in the same way. It won’t make you feel euphoric or drunk.[2]
3 – CBD might counteract the THC CB1 interactions
There is some evidence to suggest that CBD has the opposite effect from intoxication on your brain. When taken in conjunction with THC, CBD can undo some of the anxious effects that the high from the THC can cause. THC’s euphoric feelings can be interrupted or blocked by CBD, suggesting that the two chemicals exist in the same plant in balanced amounts.
4 – THCA turns into THC when used
When THCA is broken down by our bodies or goes through the decarboxylation process, we end up with a different chemical entirely. It is this breakdown that causes THC. This means that plants don’t produce THC, they produce THCA, and it is our body’s reaction to it that causes us to get high… something you simply don’t get with CBD.
We hope that clears things up for you.
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