The Difference Between CBD and Marijuana.

by Ryan McTeigue on April 30, 2021

Over the past few years, Cannabidiol (CBD) has broken through the mainstream health industry and received such phenomenal response not only from medical and alternative health groups, CBD has become a fast favorite among fitness enthusiasts and endorsed by professional athletes the world over.

Despite Cannabidiol’s meteoric popularity, many people still confuse CBD with marijuana.  This article clears all the snafu about CBD and debunks all the myths surrounding this powerful compound, so if you’re curious to know how it can benefit you in various ways, read on…

 

Hemp vs. Marijuana

There are still many people who confuse CBD with THC. These are the two major cannabinoids out of the 113 compounds found in the cannabis plant.  Hemp plants and marijuana plants are both cannabis species.

Legally, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant that contains 0.3 percent or less THC, and is the main origin of CBD. The marijuana strain is a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3 percent THC, hence its main source. CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants.

It is very unlikely to experience any unwanted effects when you consume products made of specially cultivated industrial hemp plants, which typically contain more CBD, and little to no THC. On the other hand, the recreational marijuana strain comprises between 5% - 20% THC. The average marijuana plant today contains about 12 percent THC.

 

CBD vs. THC

CBD and THC affect different receptors in the brain. Because of this, CBD usually does not have psychoactive effects or what some people call the “head buzz” or “high”. CBD’s effect has a more indirect and modulating effect on the CB1 receptors, making it to be more effective in the alleviation of anxiety and depression.

THC, on the other hand, have psychotropic effects. It directly binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, causing the “high” sensation that people associate with a marijuana trip. Because of this direct effect, THC is also documented to produce slower reaction times, memory loss, and episodes of anxiety among its consumers.

 

Legalities

The 2018 United States Farm Bill removed the hemp plant and all "derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis," including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, making them legal to manufacture in the United States.  Click here, to find out about the legality of CBD by country.

The legality of cannabis for medical and recreational use varies by country, in terms of its possession, distribution, and cultivation, and consumption. Cannabis- derived compounds with a THC content of more than 0.3% is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Single Convention treaty, meaning that signatories can allow medical use but that it is considered to be an addictive drug with a serious risk of abuse.


CBD’s IMMENSE POTENTIAL

Many scientific studies have proven CBD to help with various conditions, such as:


In recent years, Cannabidiol has been steadily showing enormous potential in terms of a variety of health and lifestyle applications. It is therefore vital to recognise the properties of CBD particularly its various effects on the human body.

As you seek to understand this unique compound and explore its many benefits, CBD’s documented effects can be used in novel ways to improve your overall well-being, and sustain a full, immersive lifestyle, while finally eliminating the stigma that comes with cannabis use.

 

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4987131/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430692/?report=classic#

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-including-cannabidiol-cbd

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol#Legal_status_across_countries

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6514832/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31980957/

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