THC vs CBD: Effects on Pain and Relaxation
Cannabis, like any other herb, has many different compounds and benefits. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most popular and researched cannabinoids in medical cannabis.
Despite THC’s psychoactive effects, it can help with pain relief by stimulating the central nervous system to release natural endorphins. CBD is non-psychoactive; it works on receptors in your brain to provide gentle pain relief, reduce inflammation, and fight anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
At first glance, you might wonder what the difference between THC and CBD is. It can be very difficult to tell exactly how they interact with your body, so we’ve put together an article to clear up the confusion.
One of the most important things you need to know about these two compounds is how they affect pain levels. On its own, THC has a strong analgesic effect similar to certain types of opioids like morphine — as well as other cannabis-related compounds such as CBD.
On the other hand, CBD has no psychotropic effects, meaning it doesn’t directly interact with the central nervous system. This means that it might be able to reduce pain in completely different ways than most other compounds.
There’s some scientific evidence out there to suggest that CBD might be able to reduce chronic pain levels, as well as neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by a problem within the nervous system itself and can negatively affect your quality of life.
For example, if you suffer from chronic pain due to a sports injury, you might want to try using CBD products to see if they can aid in relieving the problem.
In addition, our blog post contains all the information you need to know about THC vs. CBD effects on pain and relaxation, what each one is used for and how they work together.
HOW DO THESE TWO COMPOUNDS COMPARE?
1. HAPPY ACHE
THC is known to cause anxiety and paranoia in some people, although it also has a euphoric effect that can help people relax. In contrast, CBD doesn’t have these addictive qualities and is also known to help with pain relief — even though it doesn’t directly interact with the central nervous system. It’s also been found that this compound can reduce the negative effects of THC by acting on different parts of the brain.
2. RELAXATION
CBD is known to induce a feeling of relaxation, while THC has its own relaxing effect, which falls somewhere between a natural high and an actual medical dose of cannabis.
3. TREATMENT FOR PAIN
As THC and CBD both have analgesic effects, this means they can both be used to help treat chronic pain. However, CBD is also known to reduce inflammation and neuropathic pain, making it a more effective treatment for these conditions than THC.
THC VS. CBD – WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU USE?
We all know that cannabis can be used to treat a number of different medical conditions; however, if you’re trying to decide between THC and CBD for any particular use, then it’s important to keep in mind the health benefits and side effects of each.
As we mentioned above, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive characteristics, which means that it won’t directly stimulate your brain or nervous system. This makes it the perfect choice for people who are looking for a relaxing effect without any ‘high’ involvement. In addition, CBD is known to help with pain management and inflammation reduction, which means that it can be an effective alternative to both over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Even if you don’t suffer from any sort of medical condition, you can still benefit from using CBD products. For example, studies have found that people can use them to help reduce inflammation and improve their sleep patterns. For these reasons, they’re often used in the treatment of arthritis and other pain-related issues.
In contrast, THC has three main effects on the human body. The most common is that it will induce a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. However, it’s also known to cause anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations in some cases — which is why there are restrictions on the legal age for consumption in some countries around the world.
So, if you’re trying to decide which one of these compounds to use, it might be a good idea to consider the health conditions for which it could be used. In general, it’s best to just try each one out and see what works best for you.
POTENTIAL RISKS OF THC VS. CBD
1. PHYSICAL REACTIONS TO THC VS. CBD
Physical reactions to THC vs. CBD include enhanced appetite (or “the munchies”), increased heart rate, and increased drowsiness. Although it is widely known that THC can cause these reactions, CBD can produce similar side effects, although they are usually not as powerful or long-lasting.
2. MENTAL REACTIONS TO THC VS. CBD
Mental reactions to THC vs. CBD include impaired memory, paranoia, and even hallucinations. Some people swear they do not experience these symptoms when using cannabis, but many others do. This is why high-CBD strains provide a safer option for those new to marijuana use or who have negative mental reactions when consuming cannabis.
ADDICTIVE EFFECTS OF THC VS. CBD
CBD and THC are potentially addictive, but they work differently to produce this addiction. THC is addictive by making the brain produce more of a certain neurotransmitter called dopamine. Using cannabis makes a person feel more pleasure and fulfillment; this effect is called the “high.” It is this euphoric feeling that is the reason why many people feel a strong desire to use drugs in an attempt to get a similar high.
CBD does not cause these same effects because it does not affect dopamine production. Rather, it interacts with other receptors that do not produce dopamine at all. While this is good for mitigating side effects, it does mean that some people might experience less pleasure when consuming marijuana. This can lead to a feeling of frustration or apathy, which in turn might cause people to seek out more THC just to feel “normal.” This is how cannabis use can spiral into an addiction.
CONCLUSION
As we’ve seen in this article, there’s a lot of confusion about these two compounds. While they’re both important parts of the cannabis plant, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re not the same thing and have very different effects on the body.
CBD is extremely effective for treating anxiety, depression, and chronic pain by calming the body and mind. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can help relieve stress and nervous tension. Scientific studies have shown that CBD oil may inhibit the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, a chemical associated with pain, inflammation, depression, and seizures. Research also shows that THC can decrease blood pressure levels while boosting your mood while improving sleep quality.
