There are two types of CBD. The first one is CBD derived from Hemp and the other one is CBD derived from marijuana. Marijuana-derived CBD produces very high levels of THC while Hemp-derived CBD has very low levels of THC. Marijuana CBD vs THC is a topic worth understanding for us to have a better idea of how these cannabinoids affect our mind and body.
Understanding CBD
CBD or Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid found in a cannabis plant. It has mental, physical and therapeutic effects to the human body. This cannabinoid does not have any psychoactive effects and would not cause any changes in the consumer’s behavior. This “no psychoactive effects” factor is very appealing to conservative types.
Cannabinoids are expected to stimulate the CBD Receptors in our bodies such as CB1 and CB2 but CBD does not do this. Because of this, CBD does not give us the feeling of getting “high” like what THC does. Instead of stimulating the Cannabinoid Receptors, it instead affects the proteins found in our brain and nervous system resulting in a chemical reaction that can be beneficial to the human body. By function, it acts as an antagonist on CB1 and CB2 blocking the effects of THC.
Understanding THC
THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the one responsible for the psychoactive effects that cannabis plants have on the human brain. It aids in releasing a chemical called dopamine which makes us feel euphoric or happy. Unlike CBD, THC actively seeks out the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and activates them thereby affecting human behavior, perception, thinking, coordination and senses.
Benefits of CBD
We are just scratching the surface when it comes to the benefits that CBD offers. Regardless of where it came from, CBD can relieve anxiety, PTSD, stress, insomnia, nausea, psychosis, and other mental related disorders. Aside from that, it is also known to help in treating seizures, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer to name a few.
CBD also aids in minimizing pain caused by menstrual cramps, chronic pain such as joint pain and muscle pain, migraine and arthritis.
CBD on Menstrual Cramps
No conclusive evidence available yet to prove that it treats menstrual cramps but because of its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, CBD can reduce symptoms of menstrual cramps in the long run. CBD is known to improve your digestive functions and reduce inflammation.
CBD on Chronic Pain such as Joint Pain and Muscle Pain
CBD can treat chronic pain and substantial evidence has been gathered based on dozens of clinical trials and reports. Researchers were able to conclude that CBD can indeed relieve pain and has anti-inflammatory properties.
CBD on Arthritis
Trials were made on rats with arthritis wherein a topical gel was applied to the affected area. The researchers were able to observe a reduction in inflammation and signs of pain. Reports are claiming that they have experienced relief from pain caused by arthritis but more human studies should be done to check for side effects.
CBD on Migraine
Effects of CBD to treat migraine as a single ingredient has not been proven yet but because of its inherent pain reliever properties, reports were claiming that CBD aided in relieving pain caused by Migraine. According to recent studies, a combination of CBD and THC increases the potency and effectiveness in alleviating the symptoms of migraine
All these effects are not 100% guaranteed especially when it comes to relieving pain. Just like any form of mediation, the effectivity time varies depending on certain factors such as dosage, how are they consumed, and the quality of medicine, in this case, CBD you are using. Research on CBD was recently ignited therefore there are no conclusive answers yet as to how much dosage is required to alleviate pain. How CBD is ingested is also a factor to consider. There are about 5 known methods of consuming CBD which is enumerated below.
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Marijuana CBD vs THC
There are still studies being done using both CBD and THC together to relieve pain. So far, clinical observations were showing that it is more effective when you combine the two cannabinoids. These findings warrant a more in-depth study in combining the effects of these two most well-known cannabinoids.
Different Methods of Using CBD to Alleviate Pain
Method 1: Sublingual – The most common and practical way of using CBD. It can alleviate pain in approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Method 2: Orally without food – This method may cause diarrhea but pain relief should be felt within 20 minutes. This method is done by consuming it orally on an empty stomach.
Method 3: Orally with food – Pain relief is a lot slower compared to the other two methods. The effect should be felt within 2 hours. This is not recommended if you are looking to alleviate pain caused by migraine, menstrual pain or chronic pain.
There would be instances that CBD might not be working as indicated in the expected time frames below. These might be because of the following factors:
Quality of the product
As mentioned earlier, CBD products are popping up everywhere. They are available for purchase online and even at the grocery store. Some of these products are of low quality and might affect how your body reacts to it. It is best to do your research before purchasing.
Dosage
In-depth research and study are still being conducted on CBD because there are still a lot of unanswered questions. One such question is how much CBD should be used. Dosage varies from person to person because we all have unique body characteristics. Since research is ongoing, it would not hurt to do your trial and error and find out for yourself how much you should consume.
CBD Tolerance
If you have been using CBD before and suddenly you noticed that it stopped working, your body might have developed a tolerance for it. Should this happen to you, change products or take a break from using CBD for the meantime?
Final Thoughts
One of the best-known benefits of CBD is relieving pain. Substantial evidence has been made available proving that CBD does indeed have pain killer properties. There seems to be no doubt about this. Though it has been proven, everyone does agree that these compounds, marijuana CBD vs THC, has a lot of untapped potential all waiting to be discovered. For now, feel free to check with your doctor and explore the possibility of treating pain with CBD and THC products.
