Both CBD and THC contain numerous medicinal properties. Interestingly, THC, which is generally viewed for its psychoactive properties, boasts more therapeutic health benefits than CBD.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are compounds extracted from cannabis (also known as phytocannabinoids), which come with several therapeutic benefits. Although these substances originate from the same plant, they differ fundamentally in how they interact with the human body. Both CBD and THC enter the body via a cell-signaling system known as the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system refers to a system that maintains the body’s homeostasis while also playing a role in boosting immunity. The system hosts a series of endogenous cannabinoids, also known as endocannabinoids, and numerous receptors known as endocannabinoid receptors.
CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors called CB2 receptors, which are widespread in the peripheral tissues and organs. On the other hand, THC binds to receptors located closer to the brain and central nervous system. That explains why THC induces psychotropic effects like euphoria, whereas CBD is non-psychoactive. CBD and THC provide different health benefits, and there are studies that examine how ways they can be used together.
Are CBD and THC The Only Cannabinoids?
Cannabis contains more than 110 medically beneficial compounds, including cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), to mention but a few. However, most cannabis-targeted studies have been focused on CBD and THC due to these compounds’ powerful medicinal properties.
It’s also worth noting that CBD mostly enjoys popularity among medical cannabis users, whereas THC appears to be popular among recreational marijuana users. Indeed, THC is often mentioned only about its psychoactive properties.
But unknown to many, tetrahydrocannabinol also packs a cocktail of health benefits. And just like CBD, THC has since been formulated into different products depending on user preferences. You can now purchase THC gummies Canada or other THC-based products and use them to treat a broad spectrum of diseases.
Medical Conditions That CBD Can Treat
1. Pain
CBD packs immense analgesic properties that make it effective against both acute and chronic pain. According to studies, CBD can treat pain by impacting specific endocannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters that play a role in pain management.
2. Stress and Anxiety
Besides pain relief, you can also use cannabidiol to treat stress and anxiety. CBD relieves stress and anxiety by improving how your brain signals the presence of ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin.
Furthermore, the substance is effective against all five major anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
3. Sleep Disorders
Cannabidiol compounds might also treat various sleep disorders, including insomnia. CBD combats insomnia by shortening sleep latency while also treating some of the conditions that occur alongside insomnia, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Another way CBD might combat insomnia is by eliminating or shortening rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM refers to a sleep phase that’s characterized by rapid involuntary eye movements and elevated heart rate. Most dreams occur during REM sleep, which explains why eliminating the phase leads to more restful sleep.
4. Inflammatory Conditions
Cannabidiol contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help manage various inflammatory diseases, such as acne, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS). The compound mostly tends to inflammation by preventing the activation of inflammatory agents.
5. Gastrointestinal Issues
Nausea and vomiting are the primary digestive issues you can correct with cannabidiol. Indeed, numerous studies suggest that CBD might reduce nausea, one of the most bothersome chemotherapy-related side effects. Other diseases that CBD might help with include diabetes, heart disease, and neurological conditions like seizures.
Medical Conditions That THC Can Treat
1. Pain
THC can only be as effective against pain as CBD is. The difference lies in how the substances treat pain. As we’ve already highlighted, CBD mostly relieves pain by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters. On the contrary, THC fights pain by activating specific pathways in the central nervous system, which prevent signals from traveling to the brain.
2. Anxiety
Although there is limited documented evidence supporting THC’s anxiolytic claims, the findings so far show promising results, particularly with post-traumatic stress disorder. THC can relieve some of the most nagging symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, agitation, and depression.
3. Insomnia
THC’s favorable effects against post-traumatic stress disorder are the primary reason medical experts recommend the substance for people with insomnia. Moreover, THC is highly sedating at high doses. Therefore, it could induce tranquilizing effects, making you drift off to sleep much faster.
4. Inflammatory Conditions
Tetrahydrocannabinol can treat inflammatory diseases by lowering inflammatory agents’ production like chemokine and cytokine in the body. Additional studies investigating THC’s anti-inflammatory properties indicate that the compound combats inflammation by suppressing genes that play a role in the inflammatory response.
5. Gastrointestinal Issues
Much like CBD, THC can also treat nausea and vomiting. THC is a more popular anti-nausea drug than CBD. This explains why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since approved a THC-based pill known as Marinol to treat nausea among cancer patients recovering from chemotherapy.
6. Neurological Diseases
THC is considered a neuroprotectant drug, which implies that it can prevent your nerves and neurons from toxicity. Because of its ability to activate your CB1 receptors, THC is more likely to regenerate than destroy your brain cells, making it a potential nootropic. Besides treating the above diseases, THC can also increase your appetite, relieve fatigue, and relax your muscles.
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Final Thoughts
Both CBD and THC contain numerous medicinal properties. Interestingly, THC, which is mostly viewed concerning its psychoactive properties, boasts more therapeutic benefits than CBD.
Reference Links
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16983116
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22448949
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140602150914.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC20965/
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc#medical-benefits
https://easyhealthoptions.com/thc-health-benefits-cbd-cannabis/
