The Differences Between CBD and THC

CBD and THC are two different compounds that act differently in the brain. THC can trigger a range of psychoactive effects, while CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects.

THC binds with the CB1 receptors in the brain, which triggers the release of dopamine and produces a high or sense of euphoria. CBD does not bind with CB1 receptors and is therefore less psychoactive.

Psychiatric Effects

In humans, THC and CBD are both able to bind to the main cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), a class of GPCRs that regulate neuronal and glial cell functions throughout the brain over an individual’s lifetime. However, they elicit significantly different psychoiatric effects. THC triggers a variety of subjective, somatic, and perceptual effects known as the “high” associated with cannabis use. The high is a combination of feelings of relaxation and sedation, euphoria, altered perceptions, and altered thinking. In addition, THC can trigger paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations.

The broad psychoiatric effects of THC are largely due to its pharmacological actions, primarily by disrupting cellular signaling. THC alters network neuronal spiking patterns and temporal firing synchrony in the hippocampus, impairing memory function in rodents122. It also reduces spontaneous locomotion, hypothermia, and hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, a set of behaviors referred to as the classic tetrad behavior test.

THC is also a powerful appetite suppressant and increases the activity of certain enzymes involved in energy metabolism. It can also cause anxiety, sedation, and depression. Additionally, THC can increase blood pressure and heart rate, which can be dangerous for those with cardiovascular problems.

CBD has minimal psychiatric effects. CBD acts as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1R in cell culture, inhibiting the action of agonists without affecting their potency234. Computational modeling and functional validation show that CBD is a weak antagonist of the orexin 1 receptor of type 1 (OX1R), which plays an important role in regulating arousal, sleep/wake cycles, and motivation243. It also acts as a negative allosteric moderator of mu- and delta-opioid receptors.

One of the most promising therapeutic applications for CBD is in the treatment of drug addiction. A series of clinical trials in humans and preclinical animal models have shown that CBD reduces cue-induced heroin craving and anxiety, and normalizes the expression of proopiomelanocortin and GluR2A in the amygdala during cocaine withdrawal298.

In one study, oral administration of CBD improved subjective measures of sleep quality and reduced the frequency of nightmares in PTSD patients. However, the long-term effect of CBD on sleep remains to be determined.

Analgesic Effects

When CBD is taken without THC, it can have a significant analgesic effect in both animal and human models of pain. Studies have found that CBD can reduce spontaneous pain and evoked pain responses in animals, as well as improve behavioral and biochemical measures of neuropathic pain. In addition, CBD has been shown to act on peripheral CB1 and CB2 receptors to reduce pain signaling in the spinal cord. It also decreases inflammatory pain via CB2 receptors and suppresses TRPV1-evoked heat pain sensations in rats. It can also desensitize capsaicin and mustard oil responses in sensory neurons by activating CB1 receptors.

It has also been found that CBD can alleviate neuropathic pain in rodents by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. It can also increase endocannabinoid levels, particularly AEA, in RVM and PAG in the presence of nerve injury. AEA has antihyperalgesic effects and reduces mechanical allodynia, as well as reducing anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, it can reduce the sensitivity of pain-receptor neurons to opioids by blocking their -receptors. It also relieves chronic neuropathic pain in mice by reducing inflammation and modulating glial cell activation.

CBD can also reduce acute pain by directly binding to CB2 receptors. It reduces inflammatory pain by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 and IL-6. It can also increase the levels of BDNF in the brain to promote neuroprotection and decrease oxidative stress. Moreover, it can also reduce pain by inhibiting NMDA receptor activity.

Another beneficial effect of CBD is its ability to reduce drug-seeking behaviors. In humans, CBD can reduce cue-induced craving and relapse in drug-abusers by decreasing prefrontal cortex activation. It also reduces heroin withdrawal symptoms in rodents by decreasing anxiety, motor activity, and somatic signs. In addition, it reduces proopiomelanocortin and mu-opioid receptor expression in the VTA during withdrawal.

There are many potential side effects of cannabis, including psychiatric effects and physical discomfort. However, these are rare in most cases. It is recommended to consult with a physician before taking any type of cannabis products. They can advise you on what is safe for you and your medical history. They will also help you to determine how much cannabis is right for you.

Sedative Effects

CBD differs from THC in that it does not induce the psychoactive effects associated with marijuana use. The differences between the two compounds are due to their molecular structures. They share the same chemical structure – 21 carbon, 30 hydrogen and 2 oxygen atoms – but differ in the arrangement of those atoms. THC’s atomic arrangement allows it to bind to the main cannabinoid receptors and activate them. When THC binds to these receptors, it triggers changes in brain activity, which lead to the “high” sensation people experience when smoking cannabis. CBD binds to these same receptors but does not create this high. Rather, CBD produces its calming effects by blocking the production of certain molecules in the brain.

CBD’s effect on brain activity is biphasic, producing one set of behavioral changes at low doses and exhibiting distinctly different bioactivity at higher dosages. For example, CBD (20 mg/kg) significantly reduces anxiety-like behavior and attenuates startle response in mice through CB1R- and 5-HT1A receptor-dependent mechanisms297. However, it exacerbates cognitive deficits in the delayed-matching to location test and impulsivity in the elevated plus maze task through THC-dependent mechanisms218,220,221.

Recent advances in understanding how THC and CBD interact with the human brain and influence neuropsychiatric disorders are fostering the development of transformative cannabinoid-based therapeutics. These discoveries are based on well-controlled preclinical and clinical studies that are revealing a fundamental link between THC and CBD’s PK profile, their effects on human behaviors and neuropathological processes, and how those effects modulate neuronal and glial cells over an individual’s lifetime.

The PK profile of THC and CBD differs by route of administration and dose. The pharmacokinetics of CBD are comparable to THC at the same dose when administered orally. However, the PK profile of THC and CBD is modified by P450 enzymes that metabolize THC into 11-OH-D9-THC. 11-OH-D9-THC is more potent and reaches the brain at higher concentrations than THC when it is administered orally.

CBD interacts with the TRP channel family and has a direct anti-anxiety and analgesic effect. For instance, CBD inhibits TRPV1-mediated inflammatory pain in rats and attenuates panic-like behavior and stress response through a reduction in CB1R signaling.

Sleep Effects

When cannabis is used for sleep, it can produce sedative effects that help many people fall asleep. It can also cause some users to feel more energized or alert. It all depends on the ratio of THC and CBD. A low THC-to-CBD ratio can make it easier to relax and fall asleep, while high THC levels can increase arousal and insomnia.

Cannabis interacts with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors to affect sleep, causing the release of adenosine, which suppresses the brain’s arousal system and makes you feel more relaxed. It can also boost serotonin levels, which can promote sleepiness. The sleep-promoting effects of THC are weakened by long-term use or high doses, which can increase feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

In a recent study, participants reported that using cannabis to help them sleep helped them feel more refreshed and better able to function the next day than when they use over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids. However, the study is limited by its cross-sectional design and its selection of participants who already use cannabis for sleep. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider before trying cannabis for sleep issues.

Some of the most commonly reported sleep benefits of cannabis include easier falling and staying asleep, less frequent waking during the night, feeling rested when waking in the morning, and fewer nightmares or decreased frequency of PTSD-related dreams. Some individuals reported that cannabis reduced the frequency of PTSD-related flashbacks, but this did not apply to all patients.

Cannabis can be administered in many forms, including smoked joints or vaped flower, eaten as edibles, dripped under the tongue as a sublingual tincture, or dropped on the gums as a sublingual spray. It is essential to try different methods of administration and find the one that works best for you. Keep in mind that everyone’s body chemistry is unique and that finding the right THC-to-CBD ratio can take time. It’s usually recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase until you find the right level of relaxation or stimulation for your personal needs.