What are THC and CBD? How does it affect weed?

So what are THC and CBD? If you’ve looked into taking marijuana, you would’ve seen these acronyms pop up somewhere before. Are they important? Do you need to know? Well, yes! It’s actually really important to know. THC and CBD are the natural compounds that are found in weed, and depending on the levels of the two – it can result in different effects. Cannabis is also known as marijuana or weed. It’s a plant that is filled with THC and CBD, and can be used to make cannaboids. CBD and THC are the most common cannaboids used for cannabis-related products. Marijuana typically has more THC, whilst hemp has more CBD properties. So, what does more THC do? What about CBD?

What is THC?

THC stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol—it’s a long one, we know. That’s why we just shorten it to THC! It’s psychoactive, which means it affects your mind. THC binds with the receptors we have in our bodies—mostly in our brain, which is why it can impact our moods, emotions, and even pain! This gives THC the ability to give us that euphoric high. If you’re looking to use weed recreationally, we recommend looking for high levels of THC. With that being said, THC has also been popular for use with therapeutic uses. It can be used to help with anxiety, supporting the user to relax. With that in mind, before you use THC/marijuana for mental health or medicinal reasons, always consult with a doctor!

In what ways can you take THC?

Aside from the classic smoking a bud, there are plenty of different ways to take THC! From taking edibles to even using tinctures—we’ve got you covered. When it comes to smoking weed to take THC, you have a few options. You can do the classic, smoke it from a bong. You could even use a vaporizer, or smoke it from a pipe! A few other popular ways to take THC include using a tincture. This is a great choice if you don’t want to inhale THC, and you’re scared of any potential side effects from smoking it. You just apply the THC tincture underneath your tongue or inside your cheeks. You can also take THC in an edible form, all you need to do is add it to your food! Some popular examples include making weed brownies, or even putting them in candies like gummies! With that being said, it can take longer to feel the effects of THC when taking it in edible form. You can even create THC-infused coffee or tea! It isn’t limited to that either, you can get creative and put it in a wide range of beverages! Explore and find what you like.

What is CBD?

CBD is the other chemical found in marijuana alongside THC. It doesn’t contain any psychoactive ingredients, unlike THC. This means CBD can’t be used to create that “high” effect, as it doesn’t interact with the brain in the same way. CBD is allegedly good for its medicinal properties, helping with chronic pain, inflammation, epilepsy, and even migraines. With that being said, the chemical is still heavily being studied, and it’s still in its early days. There are a lot of claims surrounding CBD, however, it has been shown to be good for treating some types of epilepsy, and even anxiety. The FDA has approved CBD-based drugs before, however, always check in with your country and its rules before taking it. Thailand has recently legalized marijuana for medicinal use, so it should be easier to find CBD (and THC)-based medication.

What are the different ways to take CBD?

So, what are the different ways to take CBD? Is it different to THC? Well, that’s a great question! CBD typically comes as an oil. These CBD oils can either be full or broad-spectrum. Broad-spectrum oils contain CBD and usually don’t have any THC at all. Whilst full-spectrum oils contain both CBD and THC. Full-spectrum oil is good if you’re also looking for intoxicating “high” effects. Similarly to THC, edibles are a great way to take CBD. You can add CBD oil to whatever you’re cooking, from cake to brownies! It’s also good at masking the weed smell/taste. With that being said, keep in mind, edibles take longer for CBD to kick in. CBD absorbs faster through other methods such as smoking, or even tinctures where you absorb it underneath your tongue. You can also find CBD as a topical, such as creams or even lotion. So all you need to do is apply it to your skin! This is perfect if you’re trying to deal with a specific area, like eczema. It’s good for providing concentrated relief.

Is there a best way to take CBD or THC?

No! It’s completely up to you and your preference. Some people might prefer smoking to get the effects of THC or CBD, as it’s faster acting. However, there are some side effects that come with smoking and inhaling it into your lungs. If you don’t mind a longer wait for it to kick in or a prep time—edibles are a good choice. Edibles can sometimes last longer than smoking cannabis, too. Reminder: Before taking CBD or THC, especially if you’re already taking other medication (specifically for your mental health)—always talk to your doctor beforehand. THC and CBD can interact with other medications, like antidepressants, etc.

So what does this all mean?

Well, now you know more about THC and CBD! You will be more informed going forward when choosing cannabis-based products. Looking to get high? Find a weed strain or edible that’s higher in THC. Wanting to relax? Higher doses of THC can help with anxiety and stress. For example, every strain of weed has different levels of THC and CBD, which is why it’s good to be knowledgeable. It’ll also help you find what works best for you. We’ve also got other articles on our website that cover different strains, and a thorough guide on the different ways to ingest weed.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cbd-thc-difference
https://www.livescience.com/24553-what-is-thc.html
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
https://www.health.com/condition/chronic-pain/what-is-cbd
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325871
https://premierneurologycenter.com/blog/7-ways-to-consume-cannabis-without-smoking/