In the USA, UK, and Hong Kong, CBD is running as a dietary supplement. This is also the reason, for example, that you will mainly find CBD oils there in the form of CBD drops hk and with a pipette as an applicator. Whereas in Germany, CBD is only approved as a cosmetic. Therefore, our CBD oil spray falls under the category of oral hygiene. For this reason, it must not be swallowed.
Since the hippie era at the latest, plant names such as cannabis, marijuana or hemp have mainly been associated with one substance: tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short. This is best known for its intoxicating effects. The plant has so much more to offer, such as the versatile active ingredient CBD (cannabidiol). But in order to understand exactly where the difference between THC and CBD lies, let’s first look at the various terms related to the hemp plant.
Table of Contents
Cannabis, marijuana & hemp – a definition of terms
The difference between the three most popular terms is easy to explain. Cannabis is the Latin name and the generic term for the plant species. This type of plant, in turn, has two sub-categories: hemp and marijuana. Both differ significantly in terms of their ingredients.
Hemp usually contains 20% or more CBD (cannabidiol) and less than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Therefore, it is grown as so-called “industrial hemp” or “industrial hemp” and used for the production of CBD & hemp cosmetics, food or clothing.
Marijuana, on the other hand, contains more than 20% THC. It is used in medicine or simply consumed in joints to achieve a “high” state.
The chemical structure of CBD & THC
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are both among the so-called cannabinoids. These are the active ingredients of the cannabis plant. So far, more than 110 different cannabinoids have been discovered in the plant. Of these, THC has so far been researched the most, which is why the term is probably more familiar to most people than the names of other unknown cannabinoids, such as: Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA) or cannabidivarin (CBDV).
At first glance, the difference between the cannabinoids is only microscopic. The difference between THC and CBD is just a single atom, which has a significant impact on the molecular structure.
The main difference between CBD & THC
Due to its chemical composition, THC has a psychoactive effect and causes a state of intoxication. CBD, on the other hand, acts differently on our receptors and is therefore not psychoactive. Both plant substances work via our body’s own receptors in the so-called endocannabinoid system.
If you are hoping for a high feeling, you will wait in vain with CBD. Cannabidiol can rather provide relaxation or general well-being. If you had to describe CBD in one sentence, it would probably be: The moment you step out of the warm bathtub and nestle in your cozy bathrobe. That is why CBD is not only available in the form of oils, but also as care products.
Legality – CBD versus THC
The legality of cannabinoids is different in every country. We are therefore only referring to the current situation in Hong Kong, Germany, and Europe. When it comes to THC-rich cannabis (also referred to by some as marijuana), the legal situation in Germany until 2017 was pretty clear: Cannabis is illegal. In 2017 it was then allowed to use marijuana for the purely medical-therapeutic treatment of diseases. For this purpose, medical marijuana is grown in Europe under the strictest conditions. However, it is by no means easy to get a recipe. Cannabis and, above all, the psychoactive substance THC require a strict prescription. THC is only prescribed after careful consideration and research by trained doctors.
CBD, on the other hand, is freely available and legal. Since it is obtained from hemp plants with a low THC content, there is no psychoactive effect. According to the EU regulation, over-the-counter products may only contain less than 0.01% THC. In addition to CBD, full-spectrum CBD products also contain other ingredients from the hemp plant and a THC content of less than 0.01%. CBD isolates, on the other hand, are completely free of THC and only contain isolated cannabidiol and a carrier oil.
The advantages & disadvantages of both components
Even if one of the two ingredients is intoxicating, both of them have their own advantages. What is clear is that over-the-counter CBD has one huge advantage: It is legal. CBD, for example in the form of a CBD oil, promises more benefits with full legality. The opposite is true for the disadvantages. In the following you will learn the positive and negative sides in detail.
The advantages – CBD & THC can do that
The benefits of THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol is the most researched of all cannabinoids. It causes the body to release dopamine. This in turn leads to a feeling of euphoria and general well-being. It puts the body in a state of intoxication and thus has a psychoactive effect. In serious illnesses, THC can be used therapeutically and, if prescribed by prescription, can be helpful. Therapies with THC have been successful in the past for autoimmune diseases, to increase appetite and for sleep problems. The use of drugs has also already led to success in patients with movement disorders.
The advantages of CBD: Cannabidiol is currently being actively investigated as the second cannabinoid and is emerging from its shadowy existence. A number of advantages have already been scientifically confirmed several times. In addition to the lack of psychoactive effects, the greatest advantage is the high relaxation factor. CBD is also particularly popular with smokers who want to switch from nicotine to a healthier way of relaxed inhalation. With a vaporizer and a suitable CBD oil cartridge, the contained CBD is vaporized, i.e. evaporated. Vaping is much healthier than smoking because it doesn’t contain tobacco, tar or nicotine. Burning also releases dangerous pollutants, which is not the case with “vaping”.
The disadvantages – CBD & THC under the microscope
The cons of THC: It has a psychoactive effect. This affects the sensory perception and the sense of time. Externally, consumption causes reddened eyes and a dry mouth. You may experience blackouts or even memory loss. Many users report a feeling of lethargy after frequent use. Excessive use of marijuana with a high THC content results in a certain addictive potential – although it is emphasized again and again that this is lower in comparison to other drugs. Nevertheless, it is legally an illegal drug in Germany. If it is consumed often or even daily, THC can trigger psychosis, paranoia or depression, for example.
The disadvantages of CBD: They make the cannabinoid so exciting for medicine, since according to the current state of research there are hardly any side effects. CBD does not induce intoxication and has no psychoactive effects. Even if some research results have yet to follow: There are only a few users who have reported a dry mouth, short-term sleepiness or low eye pressure. The use of CBD products can initially lead to digestive irregularities. However, there are no disadvantages that are permanent or negative for health.
Due to its many positive effects on the human body, the active ingredient CBD not only offers a wide range of uses in the wellness area, but also significantly more advantages than THC.
