CBD vs THC: Which One Is The Best Choice To Get Optimum Health Benefits

Many people nowadays are curious about recent health trends, namely the use of cannabis sativa extracts, which are CBD (or cannabidiol) and THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol). Although they would like to receive health benefits from this trend, they may hesitate to buy, mostly because there is a lot of misinformation about these two extracts.

So let’s find out which one is your best choice for health supplements based on the kind of natural benefits you can get.

Definition Of CBD And THC

To begin with, you should know that both CBD and THC are derived from the cannabis sativa plant. What confuses many is that there are two kinds of cannabis sativa plants where the extracts come from – one is called the hemp plant while the other is dubbed the marijuana plant. Though both belong to the cannabis sativa family. The hemp plant contains very little to zero THC, while the marijuana plant contains much more THC. This is the most common and accurate way of differentiating the two cannabis sativa plants.

CBD or cannabidiol is derived directly from the seeds of the hemp plant. THC or   is derived from the stalks, stems, and leaves of the marijuana plant since the marijuana plant contains much more THC compared to the hemp plant. This is crucial information because CBD is legal to purchase and use in most US states as the hemp plant it comes from contains very little to zero THC. Marijuana, on the other hand, is illegal to purchase and use openly, according to US federal law. In essence, this is because marijuana contains a lot of THC, which produces the “high feeling” associated with marijuana addiction.

Health Benefits Of CBD And THC

The reason there is a lot of fuss about CBD and THC is that the cannabis sativa plants they come from are rumored to possess some positive health benefits. Have you heard of “medical marijuana”? Medical marijuana is the term used by people who are advocating the legalization of the use of cannabis sativa plants, reportedly for medical purposes. This is why the public is interested in finding out what health benefits they can get from both CBD and THC. The law is not yet clearly defined in the case of medical marijuana usage. But apparently, you will need a licensed doctor’s permission to source it in some US states.

CBD has the following health benefits (based on testimonials):

• Reduces migraines
• Relieves depression
• Relieves anxiety
• Helps eliminate arthritis symptoms
• Soothes chronic pain
• Stops nausea
• Controls inflammatory bowel disease
• Eases mental disorders and symptoms like psychosis
• Helps eliminate epilepsy symptoms in children through FDA-supported drug Epidiolex

THC has the following health benefits (also based on testimonials):

• Soothes anxiety
• Eliminates nausea
• Improves appetite
• Relieves insomnia
• Treats glaucoma symptoms
• Alleviates muscle spasticity
• Relieves pain

Possible Side Effects Of CBD And THC

Based on testimonials from the consuming public, the two extracts CBD and THC do have some side effects. One explanation for this is that people have their own individual reaction to the extracts, meaning what works for one person might not work the same way for another person. So one person might experience some side effects while another person may get some other side effects instead.

It is also believed that CBD may have some side effects on patients who take it. But these could be because the patients were on some other medication at the time of taking CBD. So that may mean the perceived side effects are actually drug-to-drug interactions that didn’t go well. This is why it is recommended that patients consult a licensed doctor first before trying to purchase CBD for their symptoms.

As for THC, the reported side effects are:

• Memory loss
• Duller reaction time
• Red eyes
• Dry mouth
• Problems with coordination
• Faster heart rate

In addition, taking too much THC has reportedly increased the risk of psychiatric symptoms and paved the way for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. This is especially true for teenage patients.

Conclusion

Although CBD and THC both come from the cannabis sativa plant family, they are derived from different plants, namely hemp, and marijuana. The levels of THC in hemp and marijuana are the basis for the legal use of CBD and THC by the public. At the moment, CBD is generally legally permitted to be sold and used by the public. On the other hand, THC use has not been legalized yet because of its “psychoactive” effects on the human body. If you would like to try CBD or THC to reduce your own symptoms from an illness or medical disorder. It is best to seek your doctor’s permission first. It is always a good idea to have a licensed doctor check out the product first before you try it on yourself, to be on the safe side.