In addition to providing high-quality products at our North Portland cannabis dispensary, we at Greeley Gallery enjoy sharing our passion and knowledge with our customers. One of the most common questions we get asked is about the differences between Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).
While THC and CBD are both cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant, they affect us in both similar and different ways. Knowing these differences will help you choose the right cannabis product based on what you’re hoping to get from the experience.
That’s why, in this article, we’ll discuss the biggest difference between THC and CBD, how the cannabinoids work in our bodies, along with their unique benefits, so you can have all the information you need to choose the right cannabis product.
The Biggest Difference
You probably already know the biggest difference between THC and CBD – that THC produces the ‘high’ cannabis is known for, while CBD doesn’t. As Harvard Medical School explains,
“Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two best-known active compounds derived from the marijuana plant. The other is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the substance that that produces the ‘high’ from marijuana.”
This is where most people move on. However, that’s not the whole picture. Because while CBD doesn’t produce the psychoactive effects that THC does, it does still affect us. In the same article, Harvard goes on to say,
“It [CBD] does change your consciousness. You may feel mellow or sleepy, experience less pain, and be more comfortable.”
It’s thanks to these effects that CBD helps counteract THC’s intensity when used together. In other words, if you’re ever ‘too high’, consuming CBD can help bring you back down.
A big reason for this big difference is how CBD and THC interact with our bodies.
How CBD and THC Work in the Body
Both CBD and THC interact with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) – which helps regulate our moods, sleep, immune responses, pain, and other physiological (bodily) processes – but they do so in different and mysterious ways.
The psychological effects of THC occur because THC binds directly with our CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are located in our brain and nervous system. This relationship can influence our mood, how we experience things, our perception, and the clarity of our thoughts.
That said, since every person is unique, we each have unique sensitivity and tolerances to THC. Therefore, its effects will vary from person to person. For instance, some people may feel relaxed, even euphoric, with smaller doses. In contrast, others may feel overwhelmed or anxious, especially with high doses.
Meanwhile, the relationship between CBD and our ECS is far more mysterious. In fact, scientists aren’t completely sure how CBD interacts with our ECS, but what is clear is that it doesn’t affect us the same way THC does because it doesn’t bind to our CB1 or CB2 receptors the way THC does.
Currently, experts believe CBD may affect other systems in our body, such as our serotonin signaling or TRPV1 response, which is involved in pain management. Another possibility is that CBD prevents our endocannabinoids, produced by our ECS, from breaking down. And still other experts hypothesize that CBD binds to a receptor that has yet to be discovered.
What is clear is that CBD has a way of taking the edge off anxiety and mellowing out THC’s stronger psychological effects.
Goals Based Options
Similar to how THC is most commonly known for the high it produces, CBD is often touted as the medicinal miracle. However, we now know that CBD also affects consciousness, albeit in a different way than CBD. And similarly, THC has its own medicinal benefits. This is why having a clear goal in mind will go a long way in choosing the right cannabis product for you – and the result may surprise you.
Sleep
Take sleep, for example. One of the most common requests the staff at our North Portland cannabis dispensary gets is to recommend a cannabis product that will improve their sleep. Yet, even this simple and common request requires more intention because while both THC and CBD can improve our sleep quality, they do so in different ways.
If you’re someone who struggles to fall asleep, THC may be the ideal cannabis option for you as it tends to help people fall asleep faster, especially in the short term. However, research suggests THC may temporarily reduce REM sleep in favor of increasing the deeper stages of sleep involved in recovery. Taking a couple of puffs of the THC indica Astronaut cannabis strain may be just what you need.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who struggles with chronic sleep issues, CBD may be a better choice. While CBD does not act as a sedative, it does appear to improve sleep quality over time, especially if chronic stress and anxiety are the culprits of your unrest. Our favorite is Wyld Hemp’s CBD/CBN gummies.
Pain Relief
The second most common goal our customers have is finding a cannabis product to help them with pain relief. And once again, both THC and CBD are champions of relieving chronic and acute pain, but they do so in different ways.
If you’re struggling with hard-to-treat pain, such as anything nerve-related, THC may be the way to go. THC’s relationship with our CB1 and CB2 receptors helps the brain dial down the pain signals. In other words, while THC may not treat the underlying source of your pain, it can help mask the discomfort caused by it. If this sounds like you, we suggest stopping into our North Portland cannabis dispensary and picking up some of Medicine Farm Botanical’s Extra Strength Dragon’s Blend Salve. Simply rub it on the area that hurts and feel relief right away.
On the other hand, if you have chronic inflammatory pain or want relief without feeling high, then CBD may be your ideal option. A growing body of research and early human studies show CBD has strong anti-inflammatory effects in a different way than common anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, do. Unlike ibuprofen, which targets inflammation at the cellular level, CBD influences our endocannabinoid system and several other networks, thus tackling our inflammatory response from multiple angles. In other words, CBD calms our response to pain, without impairing our judgment or sedating us, which makes it ideal for daytime and long-term use in treating chronic pain.
But remember, when it comes to THC and CBD, it’s not always an “either-or” situation. Many customers opt for hybrids, such as 1:1, which is a cannabis product with equal amounts of THC and CBD to provide a middle ground and the best of both. Such as Medicine Farm Botanical’s 1:1 rec stick, which is perfect for on-the-go relief.
Socializing
Alcohol, whether beer or cocktails, is common at social functions. Sometimes a drink or two can help us relax and open up while socializing. Yet it may surprise you to know that consuming cannabis, such as cannabis infused beverages, can provide a similar effect – without the hangover.
In fact, THC can help us feel at ease, even talkative and amusing in social situations, especially when consumed in low doses. It doesn’t take much to receive the full benefits of weed. And due to THC’s psychoactive effects, consuming too much can result in overthinking or anxious feelings, so we encourage you to start with a low dose and slowly increase as needed.
CBD may not inspire you to be extra talkative, but it has been shown to help calm feelings of social anxiety. And since CBD doesn’t produce the high THC is known for, it eases social tensions without impairing mental clarity. As such, CBD may be ideal for social functions that are not parties.
Focus & Productivity
Cannabis has a reputation for making a person aloof and forgetful, but the Truth is more complex.
THC can indeed interfere with our focus and lower motivation, depending on the strain and typically in high doses; however, microdosing THC has been shown to help people become more focused and creative. We recommend Drops edibles or an uplifting sativa strain such as the Golden Goat.
Still, CBD typically takes the cake in this category as CBD-heavy cannabis products have been shown to help alleviate stress and make it easier to concentrate on tasks and stay grounded when consuming CBD regularly. We suggest Angel Hemp CBD drops, which provide fast-acting effects so you can get to work right away.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, choosing the right cannabis product comes down to more than whether you want to feel high or not. The most important factor is what you’re hoping to gain from the experience. Furthermore, we live in a world of spectrums, which means you don’t necessarily have to choose between CBD and THC. Hybrid cannabis products offer the best of both worlds.
You’ll find a wide selection of locally grown and produced cannabis products at our North Portland cannabis dispensary, located on the corner of north Greeley Ave and Rosa Parks Way. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to answer questions or make recommendations. Stop in today and mention the code word “Greeley Love,” and receive a FREE hat or beanie with your purchase! Click the links below for directions.
Google Maps: https://bit.ly/greeley-googlemaps
Apple Maps: https://bit.ly/greeley-applemaps
Written By: Katrina Paulson
