So after hearing about it from friends, reading about it online, and doing a little bit of research, you want to try cannabis. However, when you go to your local dispensary or check out their website, you keep seeing labels like “THC Concentrate,” “CBD Only,” and maybe even “CBD / THC Blend.”
But what are these? What should you know when deciding between THC vs CBD?
Well, they’re cannabinoids!
Wait, What Are Cannabinoids?
Good question! Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of them, and these compounds are pretty special — they interact with your endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is an incredible part of your body that handles a wide range of both physiological and cognitive processes.
That’s where the differences between tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) lie: what processes in the endocannabinoid system they affect. Let’s compare THC vs CBD and see which one is right for you.
THC: Here for a Good Time
Are you looking to laugh a lot? Get creative? Lose track of time? Then THC is right up your alley.
The biggest difference between THC and CBD is that THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s what gives people the “high” that cannabis is associated with. How that’s delivered to your endocannabinoid system is different, depending on how you consume it. THC edibles are digested, which means it takes a while for them to kick in (anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours) and also last 6 to 8 hours (or more). Smoking a pre-roll, however, hits much faster, but the high lasts only a few hours.
But what does CBD offer in this grand THC vs CBD debate?
CBD: Get Mellow, My Fellow
Chill vibes, that’s what.
Unlike THC, CBD isn’t psychoactive. Its effects are physiological. That’s why people use CBD products for sleeping, relaxing, and easing pain. Lotions and ointments are especially popular for joint pain, as studies show that topically applied CBD can help reduce inflammation.
Does Cannabis Just Have Either THC or CBD?
Nope; the only time you get just THC or CBD is when you get either CBD or THC concentrates. Those are either sold on their own for smoking or as an additive, but they are also used in edibles, tinctures, oils, and more. Pretty much all flower has both THC and CBD in it, just different amounts.
THC vs CBD content is actually one of the major differences between sativas and indicas! Sativa strains have a high percentage of THC and a very low percentage of CBD. Indica strains are the opposite: much lower THC content and a higher percentage of CBD. And, of course, there are hybrid strains, which have a balanced THC and CBD content.
A Note About THC vs CBD
So although these two cannabinoids are the primary factors that influence your experience with cannabis, it’s important to note that these aren’t the only cannabinoids or compounds in cannabis, and one THC-heavy strain won’t give you the same experience as another. That’s due to something called the Entourage Effect: the way the unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis interacts with your endocannabinoid system to produce new and distinct effects.
So while knowing the differences between THC and CBD is important, you should also keep in mind that there’s more to cannabis and your experience with it than just those two compounds.
The THC vs CBD Final Verdict: Which is Right for You?
Are you interested in getting high? Then THC-heavy or THC-isolate products are for you.
However, do you have chronic pain or trouble sleeping? CBD products are going to be best.
The best part about cannabis is that its compounds are beneficial to so many kinds of lifestyles. Use what fits yours!
Explore Both THC and CBD Products at Granny Za
As bona fide marijuana experts, the team at Granny Za is happy to be your guide in finding the perfect cannabis product for you. We offer everything from cannabis flower to tinctures from our online menu. Or, if you’d like to learn more about the differences between THC and CBD products in person, come to our local New York City dispensary and Washington, D.C. dispensary locations! We’re excited to see you.
