· Learn about the differences between CBD and THC, including the effects on the brain and body as well as side effects and legality. · THC & CBD come from cannabis, but have different effects on body & mind, and they aren't always legal. Know properties, benefits, risks, & legality CBD and THC are both found in cannabis plants, but they interact with your body differently.
Understanding the Context
One main difference is that THC produces a high while CBD does not.As the legal use of hemp and other cannabis products grows in the United States, consumers are becoming more curious about their options. This includes cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), two natural compounds found in plants of the Cannabis genus.Both compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, but they have very different effects.Read on to learn more about these compounds. While they may have a lot in common, some key differences determine how to use them.Here is a high level summary of the major differences between CBD and THC:It’s important to note that cannabinoids will affect everyone differently. While some people may find benefits for some of the conditions listed above, others will not.See full list on healthline.comCBD can be extracted from hemp or cannabis.
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Key Insights
Hemp and cannabis come from the Cannabis sativa plant. Legal hemp must contain 0.3% THC or less. CBD is sold in gels, gummies, oils, supplements, extracts, and more.See full list on healthline.comTHC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high” sensation. It can be consumed by smoking cannabis. It’s also available in oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and more.See full list on healthline.comCBD and THC have the same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms.
Important Details
A slight difference in how the atoms are arranged accounts for the differing effects on your body.CBD and THC are chemically similar to your body’s endocannabinoids. This allows them to interact with your cannabinoid receptors. The interaction affects the release of neurotransmitters in your brain.See full list on healthline.comDespite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC do not have the same psychoactive effects. CBD is psychoactive, just not in the same manner as THC.
Final Thoughts
It does not produce the high associated with THC. THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain, producing a high or a sense of euphoria.See full list on healthline.comIn the United States, cannabis-related laws are evolving regularly. Technically, CBD is still considered a Schedule I drug under federal law.Hemp has been removed from the Controlled Substances Act, but the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still classify CBD as a Schedule I drug.As of April 2023, 38 states, as well as D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have legalized the use of medical cannabis with high levels of THC. Another 10 states allow access to limited amounts of low THC cannabis or CBD oil. The cannabis may need to be recommended by a licensed physician.
Certain states also allow licensed physicians and advanced practice registered nurses to recommend cannabis. In addition, 24 states, as well as D.C., Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, have legalized the recreational use of cannabis. In these states, you should be able to buy CBD.See full list on healthline.comCBDIn June 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, which is the first CBD prescription medication. It’s produced from the cannabis plant and refined into an isolate that is 99% pure CBD. It’s used to treat rare, difficult-to-control forms of epilepsy. (Epidiolex is not currently approved for any of the other conditions listed below.) Other than that, commercially available CBD products, such as CBD oil, may be used to help with symptoms of other conditions. Learn more about the potential health benefits of CBD oil. In addition, CBD may offer some benefits in treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and schizophrenia, though it has yet to be approved by the FDA for these uses. More research is needed to determine whether CBD can effectively treat these conditions and others.THCThe FDA has approved two synthetic formulations of THC for treating specific conditions: nabilone and dronabinol. Nabilone (Cesamet) is FDA approved for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros) is FDA approved to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy drugs. It is also approved to stimulate appetite in people with AIDS or anorexia. THC is often used to help with issues like nausea, appetite, pain, and insomnia. Recent studies are looking at the potential of THC to treat fibromyalgia and other types of chronic pain.Is THC more effective than CBD for pain?Unlike THC, CBD binds very weakly, if at all, to CB1 receptors. CBD needs THC to bind to the CB1 receptor and, in turn, can help reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC, such as euphoria or sedation. That said, there’s not a lot of data that compares the effectiveness of CBD and THC in terms of treating pain. In studies where people reported a preference for CBD in treating chronic neuropathic pain, the potency level did not seem to increase people’s perceptions of the therapeutic effect. We also know from various studies that people who do notice a more immediate improvement in symptoms related to pain after taking cannabis tend to use products that contain more THC than CBD. This is consistent with available findings showing that a combination of THC and CBD might be most effective for treating pain.See full list on healthline.comCBD is typically well tolerated, even in large doses. Any side effects of CBD are likely the result of drug-to-drug interactions between CBD and other medications you may be taking. This may include liver damage.THC can cause both temporary side effects and long-term negative psychiatric effects. These side effects are part of the compound’s psychoactive properties.Neither compound is fatal.However, high THC use may be connected to long-term negative psychiatric effects. This may be especially true for adolescents who consume large amounts of THC.Long-term cannabis use can also cause amotivational syndrome in which people experience symptoms of depression and low motivation.However, there’s currently no conclusive evidence that using cannabis causes psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.See full list on healthline.comCannabinoids like THC and CBD are stored in the body’s fat. They can show up on drug tests for several days or weeks after you use them.Not every drug test can detect CBD, but CBD-sensitive tests are available. Most standard drug tests look for chemicals related to THC, so THC or cannabis use might appear on a screening.Likewise, hemp can produce some THC in addition to CBD, so a test could be positive for THC even if you haven’t used it.Products that claim to be THC-free may not actually be free of THC, so if you’re getting a drug test, avoid any CBD or THC products.See full list on healthline.comDoes smoking CBD affect your heart?Some CBD products like oils, gummies, and gels may have several health benefits, such as treating pain, epilepsy seizures, and anxiety. Smoking cannabis may pose a risk for people living with cardiovascular conditions like heart disease because it may increase your heart rate, aggravate arrhythmias, decrease oxygen to the heart, and increase blood pressure. That said, research comparing the acute and chronic use of cannabis suggests there is limited evidence to support the causation between smoking cannabis and cardiovascular conditions.How does CBD make you feel when smoking it?According to the FDA, smoking CBD can make you feel drowsy, sleepy, and irritated. It may also cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea or reduced appetite.Is CBD better than THC for you?Both CBD and THC have medical benefits, such as pain relief. However, CBD isn’t a psychoactive compound. This means it doesn’t cause the euphoric feelings associated with cannabis. You may prefer to use CBD instead of THC because of the lack of this side effect.See full list on healthline.comJul 24, 2025 · If you’re comparing CBD vsTHC effects, weighing THC vs. CBD for chronic pain or focus, or curious about how to use both THC and CBD together, this guide will help you make sense of it all. · CBD and THC are the two main active compounds in cannabis. They’ve received much attention in recent years thanks to the growing interest in the medical benefits of cannabis. When it comes to CBD vs. THC, there are certainly similarities, but their effects can be very different. · Learn how CBD, THC, cannabis, hemp, and marijuana differ in terms of legality, effects, and uses. Find out about the only FDA-approved CBD product, Epidiolex, and its benefits for epilepsy. · Learn how CBD and THC affect the endocannabinoid system, the brain, and the body. Find out the potential benefits, risks, and legal status of these cannabinoids. · If you’re comparing CBD vsTHC effects, weighing THC vs. CBD for chronic pain or focus, or curious about how to use both THC and CBD together, this guide will help you make sense of it all. · CBD and THC are the two main active compounds in cannabis. They’ve received much attention in recent years thanks to the growing interest in the medical benefits of cannabis. When it comes to CBD vs. THC, there are certainly similarities, but their effects can be very different. · Learn how CBD, THC, cannabis, hemp, and marijuana differ in terms of legality, effects, and uses. Find out about the only FDA-approved CBD product, Epidiolex, and its benefits for epilepsy. · Learn how CBD and THC affect the endocannabinoid system, the brain, and the body. Find out the potential benefits, risks, and legal status of these cannabinoids.
