CBD vs. THC: Which One’s Right for You?
There are a couple of different ways to use marijuana or cannabis products. Some people want to get high and feel relaxed, while others are looking for pain relief or relaxation without the high. The good news is that there are opportunities for both kinds of people, because there are both CBD and THC products.
But what’s the difference, really, and why does THC get someone high, while CBD doesn’t? Is one better than the other? There’s a lot to consider, especially when you’re new to weed and trying to decide what’s going to work the best for you. Here’s what you need to know, so you can get the right products for your lifestyle and goals.
Understanding the Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system is the part of the body responsible for a lot of different things. It’s a system that helps human beings maintain functional balance. That includes everything from pain and stress, to appetite, reproduction, and energy metabolism. When people ingest cannabinoids, through smoking marijuana or consuming edibles, they’re choosing products that affect the endocannabinoid system. That’s also true of people who use CBD oils, or other related types of products.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Whether you choose CBD or THC, you need to know how they’ll affect you and what they’re typically used for. The CBD vs. THC debate is an important one, depending on whether you’re looking only for regulation of the endocannabinoid system on what’s essentially a background level, or you’re trying to have a more relaxing experience that’s based on the high that THC can bring about. The choice is up to you, but you’ll want to make sure you’re selecting the one that’s really right for your situation and goals.
CBD is frequently used for pain, stress relief, and other kinds of issues, such as anxiety. It’s a great way to make sure that you have the opportunity to relax, and the effects on your endocannabinoid system are focused around that relaxation. The effects of THC, though, are different. This produces the high that a lot of marijuana users are seeking. That’s the goal of using the substance, for a lot of people, but it’s not the goal for everyone. People seeking anxiety relief, for example, may not be looking to get high.
It Comes Down to Brain Chemistry
Because CBD doesn’t activate C1 receptors in the brain, it’s not going to make you high. The activation of those brain receptors is what matters for the high that many marijuana users look for. THC, on the other hand, activates those receptors very well. That’s why it produces a high, while CBD doesn’t have the same effect. Both are psychoactive, though, and both affect brain chemistry. Anyone who says that they use CBD because it doesn’t affect their brain isn’t correct, but it does work differently and act on different receptors, as well.
When you choose an option that has both CBD and THC in it, you have the opportunity for a more mellow, relaxed high that doesn’t come with the anxiety or paranoia that THC by itself can cause. That’s because the THC activates the C1 receptor, but the CBD has a slightly inhibiting effect on that same receptor. The two compounds can work very well together. However, there are people who are much more focused on the THC option only, or those who want the CBD by itself. That’s part of the reason so many different strains of weed exist, along with CBD oil and related options that don’t have THC included in them.
Some Trial and Error May be Needed
If you’re not sure whether you need or want to try something with THC in it, or whether CBD would be a better choice, consider the kinds of feelings you’re looking for. If you don’t want to get high, then it’s better to avoid THC products and the effect they’ll have on the endocannabinoid system in your body. But if you’re looking for that high feeling, you aren’t going to get it with CBD only. You may be able to get it with a mixture of the two, and you can expect that to be milder and calmer than the high you might get without the CBD included. Finding the right option is something you may want to explore for yourself.
It’s also possible you’ll want different things depending on how you’re feeling. For example, getting high on the weekends may be important to you, but you might also want to focus on the CBD oil you use during the week for reduced anxiety and better sleep, or for relief from chronic pain. There are so many considerations in the THC vs. CBD debate that the choice really does come down to your personal preference, and what works for your lifestyle and needs.
