4 Important Differences Between CBD and THC

There is a lot of confusion surrounding CBD and THC. This comes from the long history of stigma against all types of cannabis and any chemical or product that is derived from it. Marijuana has been illegal for a long time, and it’s only within the past decade has there been a significant movement to legalize it for medical and recreational purposes.

CBD and THC are both naturally occurring chemical compounds found in cannabis, but they have important differences. Both are becoming very popular now that there is a growing appreciation for the good they can do, and how the stigma against them came from paranoid fear mongering. If you want to learn about the key differences between CBD and THC, this guide is for you.

1) THC Is Psychoactive

This is the most important difference between THC and CBD, especially when it comes to why THC’s legal status is so much different from CBD. THC is the chemical compound in marijuana that makes you feel high — this is referred to as being “psychoactive”. It is the main reason why cannabis has been illegal, because it alters your state of mind.

More specifically, when you consume THC, it is absorbed into your bloodstream, and eventually finds its way to your brain. The molecules of THC interact with receptors in your brain that are part of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a part of your brain and nervous system, and it is responsible for the release of almost every neurotransmitter your body uses to communicate with itself. They regulate several bodily functions and affect factors like pain, sleep, and more.

When THC interacts with your ECS, it acts as a signal that your ECS can’t transmit. This disrupts your normal brain activity in a way that induces a sense of euphoria and detachment — the main sensations you experience when high. However, it also affects elements of your decision-making ability and judgment, which is why it has traditionally been illegal.

CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive and will not alter your state of mind at all. It does not disrupt any part of your ECS or neurotransmitters. In fact, it helps stimulate the release of serotonin and dopamine, which are chemicals your body produces to regulate things like stress and anxiety.

2) Medical Benefits

Since CBD and THC are both cannabinoids — chemical compounds found in cannabis plants — they share very similar properties when it comes to medical benefits. THC has long been used to treat things like pain, glaucoma, and cancer symptoms. According to Hemmfy’s guide to CBD health & wellness, there are some differences in the benefits that CBD offers:

  • CBD can lower anxiety, marijuana usually exacerbates it
  • CBD can treat seizure disorders
  • THC can stimulate appetite and reduce nausea
  • THC can treat muscle spasticity

You may find some differences in the extent to which these compounds treat certain conditions. For example, both are used to reduce pain, nausea, and help people with sleep disorders. In fact, there has been some research that shows it is best to use CBD and THC together with all of the other cannabinoids.

This is known as the ‘entourage effect’, which describes a known phenomenon where the effects of an isolated cannabinoid (CBD or THC, as two examples) is less than it would be when combined with other cannabinoids. Using all cannabinoids together, as they occur naturally in cannabis plants, can have more potent results. However, it is worth noting that for legal reasons it may not be feasible to combine CBD and THC together, depending on the laws where you live.

3) CBD Can Be Extracted From Hemp and Marijuana

It’s worth exploring what exactly cannabis is, and how both CBD and THC are extracted. Cannabis is a family of plants, and two important varieties are hemp and marijuana. Marijuana is a kind of cannabis that contains THC, which is the cannabinoid compound that makes you feel high. It is the only kind of cannabis plant from which you can extract a significant amount of THC.

The other cannabis plant is hemp — this refers to a plant that contains virtually no THC compounds. The legal definition of hemp in the U.S. is that any cannabis plant with more than 0.3% THC is considered marijuana, and any plant that has less than that amount is hemp.  CBD, on the other hand, can be extracted from both types of cannabis plants, whether it has any THC in it or not. That is why hemp and CBD products have been treated differently, legally speaking, than marijuana and THC.

4) CBD Is Legal

The reason why marijuana has been illegal for so long is because the psychoactive effects from THC can affect people’s judgment, decision-making, motor skills, and more. This can lead to risky behavior that makes the person who consumes THC a hazard to themselves and others. However, there is a growing tolerance and acceptance of it, putting it closer to substances like alcohol. More states are easing laws, restrictions and regulations around marijuana as a result, either decriminalizing it, making it legal for medical use, or making it legal for any use.

On its own, CBD has been treated differently from THC, as research found that it can be extracted without any psychoactive compounds. First came the Farm Bill of 2014, which first eased laws and regulations against hemp. This was mostly for research, and it took the Farm Bill of 2018 to legalize hemp and hemp-based products that are under 0.3% THC content for common use. There may be some regional variation for other restrictions, but not nearly at the same level as the legal status of marijuana and THC.

This sums up all the key differences between CBD and THC that you need to know. If you are thinking of trying one, or both, you can start looking into the benefits of each in more detail. This includes using them both together for the aforementioned entourage effect. It would be wise to speak with a doctor before trying either, so you can be fully informed of the proper dosage and use.

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Are You Vaping CBD Oil Correctly – 2024 Beginners Guide

Vaping is one of the most popular and easiest ways to use CBD oil as suggested by hopkinsmedicine.org. Many adults all over the world are preferring this method because it allows them to choose the exact dosage, to carry the device anywhere with them, and to choose their own CBD vape oil type. However, not every user knows how to choose the juice or the device correctly, and in this 2024 beginner’s guide, we are going to give you more information on how to choose the dosage, oil, and device depending on what you want to get off it.

Dosage

There is no one exact formula for how often or how much oil you should consume per day. It all depends on your personal preferences and needs. Depending on the type and strain of cannabidiol you purchase or create, you may need more or less of it.

Experts say that the best way to determine the amount of juice per day is to look at the scale. The more you weight, the more juice you are going to need. For example, for new and inexperienced users that weigh up to 150 pounds the best dosage is 12mg. Next, if you weight between 151 and 240 pounds, you should go up to 18 mg per day. Last but not least, if you weight more than 240 pounds, then you should not use more than 22 milligrams per day.

Types of oil

There are two types of oil that are suitable for vaping, and now we are going to talk more about the positive and the negative sides of both.

CBD oil, or better known as vape juice does not contain any oil in it. There are a lot of different flavors available on the market, and if you want, you can easily make it yourself. The only type that should be inhaled should only contain the cannabidiols, extract, PG, and VG, such as those available at Cannacares. If they contain anything else, they are not suitable for inhaling and may cause damage to your body. Before buying anything, you should always consult with the seller and ask them to recommend the best type of oil for vaping.

Next, we have the CBD cartridge. They are similar to the nicotine and THC ones and they are prefilled with the fluid. Miami Rave CBD has cartridges in the offer and they are similar to the nicotine and THC ones.

Device

There are a lot of different devices available on the market, so you need to choose the right one for you. Some people say that it is better to try them all and consider all the options, but this may be a bit pricy. To help you out with your decision, we are going to walk you through the most common devices you can use and why you should choose them.

The pens are the most common types of vaping devices and they can be found pretty much everywhere. They are easy to use and you only need to charge them once per day or two. This depends on the size of the pen, battery capacity, and how often you use them. The great thing about them is that they produce a lot of vapor and they offer users to feel every flavor they inhale. You need to maintain and clean them regularly if you don’t want the device to get damaged after just a few months of use.

There are two types of pens you can find on the market – the disposable one and the rechargeable one. As we mentioned, you buy the rechargeable once and you use it until it breaks or gets damaged. The disposable ones on the other hand cannot be refilled and they don’t require that much maintenance. Depending on the pen you get, you can get about a hundred puffs before it runs out of juice, and then you just throw them away. When we consider the overall costs, they may be a bit more expensive to use than the rechargeable unit, but you can test things out before choosing the device you want to use.

The next thing you can choose is oil cartridges. According to Leafly, users say that they are as easy to use as disposable pens because they require pretty much no maintenance. So, if you are looking for something that’s extremely easy to use, you should think about getting a juice cartridge. They should be connected to a battery, usually 510 thread one, or you can just combine them with your vape pen. This allows users diversity and the ability to test several things at once. In one cartridge you can put about 1 milliliter of the oil or CBD vape juice and you are free to choose the type or flavor you want.

Last but not least, we have the pods. All of these devices are really similar to one another, and the pods are just like the cartridges, but they are the more modern version of them. They are compatible with the JUUL type of battery, and the reason why users go with them is that they can easily choose if they want to use CBD juice, or if they are in the mood for nicotine. They don’t require a lot of maintenance and they have a sleek and modern design.

All of these devices come in different shapes, sizes, and designs, so depending on your personal style you can choose the one you want. Some of them, like the disposable pen, are better for beginners because they are relatively inexpensive, and they give you the chance to try things out before you commit. Just like other devices, the more you spend on a device, the better it is going to be, but don’t spend all the money you can before you test your options and see which vape you like the best.

These are the most important things you need to know about vaping before you consider it. Always be safe and do your research before trying anything new.

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Buying CBD Products in 2024 – Guide

The CBD (cannabidiol) trend has reached almost every industry – manicures and beer, among many other consumer products. However, this is just a tip of the iceberg, and as services, products, and regulations change, you should know that not all products are created equal, including CBD products. Therefore, if you’re planning to purchase your first CBD oil, you need to do your research before you make your purchase.

What to Consider When Shopping For CBD Products

Determine why you need to use these products

The first thing before you can purchase any product is to decide why you actually need it. These products have been touted for their numerous benefits – from relieving pain and anxiety to treating rare and devastating types of epilepsy. Additionally, you need to determine the form of CBD product – topical, pill, or drop. Check out some of the products at Botanicam.

According to Harvard Medical School, if you’re looking for products to help relieve anxiety or muscle cramps, inhaling a CBD product can bring the expected results. For quick effects, a few oil drops under the tongue can be more effective. When it comes to topical lotions, the effect will vary from one person to the other. After rubbing the lotion, some people will feel the effect right away while others won’t feel anything for several hours. When used on food, these can take longer to take effect. It can take more than half an hour to get absorbed into your system.

Check the THC levels

This is an important factor to consider, especially if you don’t want to experience the mind-altering effects caused by THC. Knowing the THC levels is also important because it can help you determine how effective a product can be and where to purchase your merchandise.

Results from recent research suggest that CBD may work better in some people when combined with a little THC. The combination of the two causes an entourage effect. A low amount of approximately 0.3% for products made from hemp is needed to enhance the therapeutic effects.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a product that contains a little THC but with lower levels to avoid getting high, consider goods made from hemp. Such products are widely available, and you can find them in online retail stores. Finding products with THC levels greater than 0.3% can be tough. To start with, you’ll have to be in a state where marijuana is legalized and not just CBD. Additionally, you need a prescription from your physician, and you can only purchase products from a state-licensed dispensary. In states like California, Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada where marijuana is legalized for medical and recreational use, you won’t have to visit a doctor for a recommendation. However, you’ll need to be over 21 years.

Find out where the hemp was grown

Most of the CBD products you find online and retail stores are produced from hemp and not marijuana. Therefore, the source of hemp is an important factor to consider.

Most CBD products are produced using hemp from Oregon, Colorado, Kentucky, or is imported from overseas. Among these sources, Colorado has the best hemp program. The current agricultural program of this state performs spot-tests on hemp plants while still in the field to determine the THC levels and investigate the use of illegal and harmful pesticides.

These are produced using hemp imported from overseas can be problematic, especially because they’re not subjected to any federal or state testing. Therefore, always check the label of a CBD product to see where it was grown. Consider buying hemp from the  U.S., especially Colorado. Or you can always check website like GetCBD.uk.

Read and understand the terminologies

While you can learn almost everything about the CBD product you intend to purchase by checking its ingredients, it’s also important to understand the terminologies used on packaging. Some of the common terminologies include:

CO2 extraction: This means that the ingredients in the CBD product were extracted from the plant using carbon dioxide gas, and not through the use of chemical solvents. The CO2 technique can extract CBD and other cannabinoids in the plant. While more may sound better, this approach isn’t necessarily superior, because it’s unknown whether the other compounds extracted from the plant have any additional health benefits. Also, it may not be safe because some types of CO2 extraction use solvents.

CBD isolate: This is the case that has been extracted from hemp and then separated from the other cannabinoids and compounds in the hemp plant, including THC. The isolation process results in a 99% pure CBD product.

Full-spectrum: This is CBD extracted from a hemp plant, but it hasn’t been isolated from the other cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids. Full-spectrum includes higher levels of THC, which gives it more health benefits. However, the high levels of THC make it illegal in most states.

Broad-spectrum: This is similar to full-spectrum CBD but without the THC. This type is perfect if you want to reap the benefits of the entire plant, without the head-high effects of THC.

Request the test results

Before you purchase anything, always ask for the product’s certificate of analysis (COA). This is an important document that shows how the product performed on the tests that check for both CBD and THC levels.

There is no law even in Colorado for the testing of the products from hemp. Therefore, COA for the final products is from the company itself. While not all CBD manufacturers take this step, most of them do. This includes even companies that produce CBD from imported hemp.

If a manufacturer or an online retailer doesn’t have the certificate of analysis, or they refuse to share this information with you, avoid purchasing such products. In a state like Indiana, you can easily get such information. All CBD products produced from hemp have QR codes which enable the consumer to scan and download a product’s information to their phone.

Conclusion

With the increasing number of brands, purchasing has become more complicated than ever before. Unfortunately, all are not produced equally, and it is difficult to separate quality products from the inferior. The quality of the product you use will make a difference in the effects you experience. Therefore, follow the above tips to reap the benefits of CBD.

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