Cannabis lovers have long favored the THC latent strains for the euphoric high they provide. Now there’s a new type of smokeable flower on the scene, otherwise known as CBD flower. CBD smokeable flower is similar in nearly every way to THC. It looks the same, smells the same, and can even be rolled up in a joint and smoked. So, when it comes down to CBD vs. THC, which one should you be smoking?
Keep reading to learn more about the differences and which type of smokeable flower is best for you.
Both CBD and THC are naturally occurring phytocannabinoids within the cannabis plant. There are actually over a hundred beneficial phytocannabinoids that are found in cannabis, along with dozens of other chemical compounds. Right now, THC and CBD are in the spotlight for their therapeutic and pharmacokinetic properties.
Arguably, CBD and THC’s greatest difference is that CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid while THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid. In other words, THC gets you high while CBD does not. Another important difference between the two cannabinoids is where they come from.
CBD can be found in higher concentrations within the hemp variety of the cannabis plant, while THC is mostly associated with the marijuana variety. It should be noted that these varietals are not gender-specific, nor are they species-specific. The terms “hemp” and “marijuana” aren’t official scientific names for the cannabis plant. However, they’re often used interchangeably, creating confusion.
Since both hemp and marijuana are essentially cannabis, they can both be consumed in the same ways. They just affect the body differently.
So, we know that CBD is non-psychoactive and that THC is psychoactive. Does that mean CBD doesn’t have any effects on the brain and body?—not at all! The way both cannabinoids interact with our bodies happens mainly through our endocannabinoid system (ECS). Our ECS is responsible for maintaining the balance throughout all our body’s systems.
Our bodies naturally produce endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids. When one or more of our internal systems needs maintenance, our ECS sends out endocannabinoids and enzymes to bind with our cell receptors to mitigate a response. Both THC and CBD jump into “endocannabinoid position” when consumed to take over.
The effects that CBD and THC have on the brain and body largely have to do with which receptors they bind to and activate. We have CB1 and CB2 cell receptors in our brains and throughout our bodies, respectively. THC is known to bind primarily with our CB1 receptors, and CBD binds primarily without CB2 receptors.
Many THC and CBD effects overlap, especially when we’re talking about pain and suppressing nausea. Interestingly enough, CBD can mitigate THC’s psychoactive effects, reducing the intoxicating results. Overall, the distinguishing effects are those that can be felt and those that can’t be felt.
For example, if you might opt to take CBD products for pain and inflammation. Since there are no intoxicating effects, you won’t feel anything after taking CBD, except for a significant reduction in your pain.
CBD and THC have similar medicinal benefits. However, there are some notable variations, and there are also people who cannot consume THC for whatever reason.
CBD is typically consumed for the following:
CBD became widely popular for its early success with minimizing seizures. It all started with a young girl named Charlotte, who suffered from seemingly non-stop seizures since the age of three. Over time, Charlotte went from having 1,200 seizures a month to three.
THC, on the other hand, is better known to treat the following conditions:
THC isn’t typically recommended for those suffering from a psychosis-inducing disorder such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia due to its psychoactive properties. However, it can treat most of the same conditions as CBD, and it’s often mixed with CBD to achieve certain medicinal effects.
The legalities surrounding CBD flower and THC flower also serve as another distinction between the two. Marijuana is still illegal on a federal level as a Schedule I controlled substance. That means if it’s not legal in your state, you could run into some trouble if you have any in your possession. It also means that in states where medical marijuana is legal but recreational marijuana is not, you need the proper permit to purchase it from a dispensary.
Hemp, however, is federally legal, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Of course, there’s still a state or two—Idaho and Nebraska—that considers all forms of cannabis illegal. In states where hemp CBD is legal, CBD products can only contain trace amounts up to 0.03% of THC or less. If both marijuana and hemp products are legal in your state, you’ll likely have the option to purchase a mixed product. If only CBD products are legal in your state, dispensaries won’t be permitted to sell anything containing higher THC levels.
You’re probably wondering why you should bother smoking CBD flower if it doesn’t get you high. Well, there are a few reasons. Smoking CBD allows for maximum absorption into the bloodstream, so you get more CBD into your system at a quicker rate.
Another popular reason for smoking CBD flower is that it helps smokers kick their nicotine habit. You can even find hemp cigarettes on the market if rolling a joint doesn’t do it for you. Lastly, smoking CBD flower as-is allows you to smoke hemp cannabis in its most natural form, which is something many traditional cannabis users appreciate.
Comparing CBD vs. THC is a lot like comparing apples to apples. They come from the same tree but there quite a few varieties. Overall, each variety is beneficial to your health and wellness.
If you’re in the market for some smokeable CBD, contact us today.
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